Bush Wood moated site and hollow-way

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. Bush Wood moat is a fine example of a single island site. It survives in very good condition and has high potential for the preservation of both wet and dry remains within the ditches and interior. The significance of the site is increased by the location of the nearby Gannock Grove moat.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moat and an associated hollow-way. The moated site measures about 50m. square, with the central island surrounded by a ditch some 12m. wide. The ditch is water filled for its entire circuit, and there is no evidence of an original entrance causeway. On the north and west sides the ditch has a slight outer bank. The interior may have contained various buildings and features, evidenced by uneven ground on the eastern side. A further feature of the site is a linear earthwork, made up of two low parallel banks, running west from the south-west corner of the moat. The earthwork is visible up to the edge of the wood, and disappears into the ploughed field beyond. It may once have been linked to the hollow-way which communicates with St Mary's Church 800m. west of the moat. Bush Wood moat is located less than 400m. to the north-east of the contemporary Gannock Grove moated enclosure which also has an associated hollow-way.

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:

11514

Legacy System:

RSM

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