Cattle Shelter And Adjoining Wall 480 Metres North-West Of The Great Sluice

This is a small cattle shelter and an adjoining wall located 480 metres north-west of The Great Sluice, built around 1815-1820. It is constructed from shale rubble and features a low-pitched corrugated iron roof with gabled ends, along with cemented file capping on the gables. The shelter has an open front with two bays, supported by a rectangular stone rubble pier. A stone rubble wall attached to the south-east corner extends around the front area and has a curved corner.

Locally known as linhays, this cattle shelter is one of many on Braunton Marsh, providing shelter and likely serving as a fodder store for cattle. Braunton Marsh was probably reclaimed from the tidal waters of the River Taw during the Middle Ages, but extensive drainage occurred between 1811 and 1815 following an Act of Parliament. 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 regularly flooded by tidal water, resulting in the reclamation of 949 acres. The surveyor for this project was John Pascoe, and the engineer was James Green, the County Surveyor. The nearby Horsey Island was reclaimed between 1852 and 1857.

The historical context of these late enclosures is particularly significant in Braunton, where the Great Field, located immediately north of the marsh, is one of only three surviving open field systems in England. Although there are only five farmers currently working the Great Field, their holdings remain widely dispersed, reflecting the agricultural patterns of the Middle Ages when there were approximately 100 farmers.