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
Willow Garth moated site consists of a small rectangular island, measuring 25m
x 20m, surrounded by a water-filled moat. Except on the south-west side,
where it is narrower and partly filled in, the moat is c.10m wide and is
embanked along its outside edge on all but the south-west arm. Several stone
blocks indicative of wall-footings are visible on this side. On the south-
east side, a small bay protrudes into the adjacent field. This is the site of
a now filled-in channel leading to a terrace in the natural slope identified
as an embanked fishpond, measuring c.40m x 15m and now also filled in. To the
north of this, a narrow ditch runs eastward off the moat. Although in its
present form a post-medieval feature, this is likely to have been recut from
an earlier channel. Excluded from the scheduling are sections of modern
fencing and hedging though the ground underneath is included. The site lies a
few hundred metres from that of a priory which is now built over and not part
of this scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13223
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
