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 includes Park Hall moated site. It contains an island
approximately 50m square that is occupied at its northern corner by the 18th
century Park Hall. Surrounding the island on three sides is a waterlogged moat
up to 16m wide and 3.5m deep that extends in a north-easterly direction at the
northern corner. The moat's north-western arm has been infilled. An outer bank
9m wide flanks the moat's north-eastern arm. Access to the island is by an
18th century gated sandstone bridge.
Park Hall was the manor house of the Leigh family who held one third of the
manor in the 13th century. The present hall, and the bridge, gate piers and
gate are Listed buildings Grade II.
Park Hall, the bridge, gate piers and gate, all outbuildings, service pipes,
walls, fences and paths, a sluice at the moat's eastern corner, an ornamental
statue and small island in the moat's south-western arm, and a small
ornamental footbridge across the south-western arm are all excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22439
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
