Reasons for Designation
Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open moorland in southern Britain and,
because of exceptional conditions of preservation, it is also one of the most
complete examples of an upland relict landscape in the whole country. The
great wealth and diversity of archaeological remains provides direct evidence
for human exploitation of the Moor from the early prehistoric period onwards.
The well-preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites,
land boundaries, trackways, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as later
industrial remains, gives significant insights into successive changes in the
pattern of land use through time.
Of more than 600 post-medieval farmsteads recorded on Dartmoor, around 100 are
now deserted. Although some of these were established as late as the 18th and
19th centuries, many have their origin as medieval settlements, some perhaps
dating back to as early as the 11th century. Those founded in the post-
medieval period represent a time in which arable farming increased in
popularity on the Moor, resulting in a large number of new farms being built
on previously unenclosed moorland. Many of these farms were abandoned after a
relatively short time and provide rare examples of planned single period
farmsteads.
Most deserted post-medieval farmsteads survive as single farmhouses associated
with a variety of outbuildings, including: ash houses, barns, cow houses,
dairies, hulls, stables, linhays, shippons, cartsheds, dog kennels and
lavatories. Other features commonly found with farmsteads include gardens and
a farmyard which acted as a focal point for many farming activities.
In most cases, deserted post-medieval farmsteads are associated with
contemporary field systems, many of which still remain in use for grazing or
cultivation.
Deserted post-medieval farmsteads will provide information about the
developing character of agricultural exploitation within an upland landscape
during the historic period, and reflect a response to changing environmental
and economic conditions. Surviving examples are relatively rare away from the
moorland areas in south west England, and consequently those on Dartmoor
provide a major source of evidence for this type of site.
Details
The monument includes a hull (a potato cave) forming an outlying part of
Riddipit farmstead situated on a steep south facing slope overlooking an
unnamed tributary of the River Meavy. The hull survives as a tunnel cut
into the steep side of a river bank. Access to the hull is through a
granite built doorway measuring 0.73m wide and 1.12m high. A large lintel
over the door supports the roof. On the western side of the doorway is a
protruding iron bolt and on the inside of the eastern side is a hinge. The
door therefore opened inwards. The hull itself is 9.7m long, 1.95m wide
and up to 1.8m high. The walls and roof consist of natural subsoil and its
orientation is north to south.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22383
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
