Cattle Shelter 350 Metres North Of The Great Sluice

This cattle shelter, located 350 metres north of The Great Sluice, dates from around 1820 to the mid-19th century. It is constructed of shale rubble and features a slate roof with gabled ends. The building has a rectangular shape with two wide openings on the front, each topped by segmental brick arches. A short section of wall projects from either end of the front, which likely originally supported the roof to create a shelter over the openings.

Locally known as linhays, this cattle shelter is one of several on Braunton Marsh, where it served as a refuge and likely a fodder store for cattle. Braunton Marsh was probably reclaimed from tidal waters of the River Taw during the Middle Ages, but significant drainage occurred between 1811 and 1815 after an Act of Parliament was passed. This effort was led by the Lords of the Manors of Braunton Gorges, Braunton Abbotts, Braunton Arundel, and Saunton, who held grazing rights on the marshes. They aimed to enclose the marsh, which was frequently flooded by tidal waters, resulting in the reclamation of 949 acres. The surveyor for this project was John Pascoe, with James Green serving as the County Surveyor. The nearby Horsey Island was reclaimed between 1852 and 1857.

The late enclosures in Braunton are historically significant, particularly as the Great Field, located just north of the marsh, is one of only three surviving open field systems in England. As of 1984, there were only five farmers working the Great Field, but their holdings remain dispersed as they were in the Middle Ages when there were around 100 farmers.