A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
November 4, 2024
Emsworthy Farmstead
The area we now know as ‘Hemsworthy’ (or Emsworthy) was mentioned in the 12th century as ‘Aylmersworth(y)’ in 1327 and ‘Aylmesworthy’ in 1379. In the 16th century it was known as ‘Omsworthye’ in 1566. In the 21st Century, the area is a popular place to visit with the ruins of Emsworthy Farmstead or to pass through en-route to the Nature Reserve of Emsworthy Mire.
The extensive ruins of the Emsworthy farm complex, which were apparently last occupied in World War I (according to oral information from the landowner), comprise a Farmhouse (built over an old Longhouse), a Barn and Shippon plus some additional features within the ruins.
Documentary sources record there being a Longhouse dating from the 13th century, which was rebuilt in its present form (Farmhouse) in 1711. The Tithe map (1838) depicts the dwelling at Emsworthy as an L-shaped building, including the adjacent shippon to the south (the barn south of the shippon had not been built at this point). The building seen today with a corrugated iron roof has two parts with two large wagon sized doorways and which are recorded on the Dartmoor Historic Environment Record as a Barn and as a Shippon.
J.E.B. Gover, A. Mawer, F.M. Stenton (1932), The Place-Names of Devon: Part Two, 478
T.A.P Greeves (1983), Emsworthy, Ilsington
This annotated map is dated from the late 19th century (1880’s) and shows all the key features we see today were extant at that time. The buildings are is three main parts; a Longhouse (original farmhouse), a Shippon and a Barn. Additionally, within the ruins are an old dairy and a lean-toView of Emsworthy Farmstead from the north. The farmstead is a popular location for walker, being close to car parks and being en-route to the Emsworthy Mire Nature Reserve. In late spring is carpeted with masses of bluebells – a wonderful sightThis building comprises of a Barn which was added to the southern end (left side as seen in photograph) of an existing Shippon sometime between 1838 (Tithe Map) and 1880’s (First Edition Ordnance Survey map). The whole building appears to have been originally constructed as a general-purpose agricultural building. The Barn and Shippon corrugated iron roof was replaced around 2002. The Barn has a single wagon-sized doorway in the eastern wall. The Shippon also has a full-height wagon-size doorway in the rear (western) wall which is used as accessOld gateposts looking towards the longhouse (former Farmhouse)Depiction of the Tithe Map of the Emsworthy Estate. There were 18 plots, over around 80 acres. The plots were divided into Arable, Garden, Pasture, Rough Pasture, Firs and a Homestead. The Homestead (plot 1847) and Garden (1846) had two ‘L’ shaped structures. The structure in pink is the original farmhouse (reconstructed in 1711). The map shows that what is commonly known as ‘Emsworthy Barn’ had not been constructed at this timeThe Tithe Apportionment of the Emsworthy Estate. The Land Owner was Lord Cranstown and the Occupier was William Winser.Inside the BarnSouth end of the Barn. Through the narrow gap by the gatepost access to the rear of the Barn and the opening into the Shippon can be gainedWestern wall of the Barn and Shippon. The Historic Environment Record split this building into these two functions.The full-height wagon-size doorway into the Shippon. The Shippon adjoins the former farmhouse and is built up against it. The longhouse was renovated in 1711 but it is more likely that the Shippon date from later in the 18th century or even early 19th century. The Shippon is depicted on the 1838 Tithe Map.Inside the Shippon. It was originally lofted. Note the bat box, high up the wall. The western end of the Farmhouse (at the corner of the ‘L’ shape as depicted on the Tithe and on 19th century OS maps). Originally there was small 13th century ruined longhouse here which, according to documentary sources was rebuilt in its present form in 1711The Longhouse measures 15.0 meters in length by 5.0 meters wide internally and has walls 0.75-0.85 meters wide. The ‘new’ Farmhouse (1711) was ‘L’ shaped. The building is terraced into the slight hillslope at the upper (eastern) end. It was two-roomed and cross passage planOn the northern side of the Farmhouse (Longhouse) are three uprights which the author speculates formed part of a lean-toNorth west corner of the Farmhouse showing the lean-to (left) and Shippon (right)Corner of the ‘L’ of the Farmhouse looking south to the gable end of the Shippon / BarnIn a report by J.R.L Thorp from 2006, (Emsworthy, Ilsington), it is recorded: “The Shippon walls do not survive so well as the eastern end of the house”. In the same report it is recorded about the Shippon that: “A full-height wagon-size doorway in the rear (west) wall is used as access. The cobbled floor includes what appears to be the original cobbling and drain running to one side of the building”. These two statements conflict each other so the author has concluded that Thorp is referring to two different Shippons – firstly a Shippon at the west end of the original Longhouse within the Farmhouse and secondly, the Shippon at the north end of the roofed building seen at the site today. The author would welcome any other interpretations of this.A structure adjoining the north-eastern corner of the original farm house, is thought to have possibly been a dairy.The dairy is believed to have been a later addition to the farmhouse.Close up of an alcove / window at the eastern end of the dairyThe large lintel / slab to the left of the doorway shown in the photograph are the likely remains of a fireplace being at the western end of the living room of the Longhouse (Farmhouse)Close up of the ChimneyThe walls of the Longhouse (Farmhouse) stand up to 3.5 meters high on the inside. This row of holes along the eastern wall were for first floor joists, which indicate the Longhouse was originally two storied. Slotted granite block amongst others within the Farmhouse ruinA possible storage alcove in the northern wall of the LonghouseGateway to the south of the Barn beyond which is the Stroll (or Drangway)Gateway next to the Stroll – note the slotted gatepostThe Stroll (or Drangway). In the west drystone wall within the Stroll is a small opening through which a former leat / stream would have flowedSlotted gatepost in the eastern wall of the StrollAnother slotted gatepost in the eastern wall of the StrollClapper over small stream / leat leading to the Farmstead
