Cattle Shelter 950 Metres North Of The Great Sluice

This cattle shelter, located 950 metres north of The Great Sluice, dates from around 1815 to 1820. It features low walls made of shale rubble and is circular in shape with two opposing entrances. At the time of the survey in 1984, the shelter was roofless but originally had a conical thatched roof, and there are plans to replace it. Locally known as linhays, this structure is one of several on Braunton Marsh, serving as a shelter and possibly a fodder store for cattle. It is unique as the only circular shelter in the area.

Braunton Marsh was likely reclaimed from the tidal waters of the River Taw during the Middle Ages. However, between 1811 and 1815, the marsh underwent extensive drainage following an Act of Parliament, driven by the Lords of the Manors of Braunton Gorges, Braunton Abbotts, Braunton Arundel, and Saunton, who had grazing rights. They aimed to enclose the marsh, which was frequently flooded by tidal waters, resulting in the reclamation of 949 acres. John Pascoe served as the surveyor, while James Green was 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. Although there were only five farmers in the Great Field by 1984, their holdings remain dispersed as they were in the Middle Ages when approximately 100 farmers operated there.