Astwick Bury moat and associated moated mound

Reasons for Designation

Around 6000 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 or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture. 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. Astwick Bury is a well-preserved example of a Bedfordshire moat. It is unusual in having a subsidiary enclosure with a mound which may relate to the siting of alternative accommodation and a response to special water management needs at this low lying monument.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moat and associated outer enclosure. The moat is aligned east-west and measures about 75m by 50m in maximum external dimensions. The island is surrounded by an 8m wide moat and is slightly raised above the surrounding area. It contains the upstanding remains of the post-medieval farmhouse, a Grade II listed building. The upstanding remains of the building are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath the building is included. Entrance to the island is provided by a 2m wide causeway located at the south-west corner. Modern foot-bridges, also excluded from the scheduling cross the south and east arms of the moat. A leat at the south-east corner of the moat turns two angles to form a partially enclosed area to the east. Outside the moat, on its south side, is an adjacent moated enclosure. It is delineated by a narrow drain on its south and west sides while the moat and its leat define the other two sides. The enclosed island measures about 60m by 35m and is deliberately mounded some 1.5m higher than the surrounding area. There is no visible evidence for contemporary medieval buildings or features on this raised platform. Entrance to the interior is through a 4m wide causeway at the north-west corner of the outer enclosure.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

11539

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Page, W, The Victoria History of the County of Bedfordshire, (1908), 205

Other
Taylor, A, (1973)

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.