Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.
Details
The monument comprises a moated site, the island of which is occupied by
Hatton Hall, its outbuildings and gardens.
The island measures c.60m x 55m and stands 0.5m above the surrounding ground
surface. The hall, its access drive and outbuildings occupy much of the N
half of the island with the remainder of the platform being given over to
gardens and lawns. Some scarps run N-S and E-W and may reflect the layout
predating the present hall. A predominantly waterlogged moat with arms up to
18-20m max. width surrounds the island. The moat widens at the NE corner while
at the SW corner there is evidence of partially filled inlet/outlet channels.
Access to the island is via a sandstone revetted causeway across the moat's N
arm. The inner scarp of the N arm E of the causeway has been removed and
replaced by sandstone terraced ornamental flowerbeds. Outer banks flank the S
and E arms of the moat, the former measuring c.8m wide x 0.5m high, the latter
c.6m wide x 0.3m high.
The moated site dates to c.1200 when Hatton was granted to the Hattons of
Hatton, near Daresbury, who established a branch of the family there in the
early-mid 13th century. The hall was a quadrangular structure of timber with
access via a drawbridge. The hall was replaced by the present house c.1830.
The present Hatton Hall and the early 19th century sandstone revetted causeway
are both Grade II Listed Buildings.
Hatton Hall and its driveway, the associated outbuildings and a greenhouse,
the sandstone revetting of the causeway and the sandstone terraced ornamental
flowerbeds, a service pipe and its stone supporting pillars, and all walls and
fences are excluded from the scheduling. The ground beneath all these
features, however, is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13456
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
