Two Adjoining Cattle Shelters 400 Metres North-East Of The Great Sluice

Two adjoining cattle shelters stand 400 metres north-east of The Great Sluice. The eastern shelter likely dates from around 1815-1820, while the western shelter was added around the middle of the 19th century and restored in 1984. The eastern shelter is built of shale rubble and features a monopitch roof with two wide openings on its eastern side. The western shelter, constructed at a right angle to the original, is of shale rubble with red brick dressings and has a gable-ended roof. It has two-bay open fronts to the north and south, supported by square central piers.

These cattle shelters, locally known as linhays, are part of a larger group found on Braunton Marsh and likely served as shelters and fodder stores for cattle. Braunton Marsh was reclaimed from tidal waters of the River Taw in stages; the initial reclamation occurred in the Middle Ages, followed by more extensive drainage from 1811 to 1815, authorized by an Act of Parliament. This project was led by the Lords of the Manors of Braunton Gorges, Braunton Abbotts, Braunton Arundel, and Saunton, who held grazing rights on the marshes and sought to enclose the area, which was previously frequently flooded. The project resulted in the reclamation of 949 acres. John Pascoe acted as surveyor, and James Green served as engineer. Further reclamation of Horsey Island to the south-east took place between 1852 and 1857.

The late enclosures are historically significant within Braunton, particularly given that the Great Field immediately north of the marsh is one of only three surviving open field systems in England. Though there are now only five farmers working the Great Field, their holdings remain dispersed across the area, reflecting the farming practices that existed since the Middle Ages when approximately 100 farmers were involved.