Medieval fishponds at former Little Dunmow Priory (EHER 82254)

On the western side of the former priory site are extant earthworks form the remains of the priory fishponds.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Fish Ponds (NR). Millponds or fishponds of the former priory, about 150m west-south-west of the church. <1> Condition poor, now dry. <2> January 1950. Field survey. Four adjoining basins, separated by earthen dams, the southern most enclosure having been bisected by the railway embankment. A stream which runs through the basins had breached the dams, which vary greatly in height. Probably used during the time of the priory as both fishponds and millponds. <3> August 1952. Field survey. Surveyed on field documents. <4> August 1975. Field survey. Three, doubtful four, dry fishponds as described. They measure overall in north-south order, about 110.0m by 45.0m, about 75.0m by about 50.0m, and about 120.0m by about 65.0m. An amorphous swelling, possible tip, in the centre part of the north pond does not appear to be a dividing bank creating fourth basin. The south pond has strong retaining banks giving a basin depth of about 2.0m, with a sluice at the south-west corner. The east side is being filled in and the scarp obliterated. It is feasible that the south pond relates to a mill, but there is no trace and the tithe map of 1839 does not indicate one. Published survey (25") revised. <5> 2015. Test pitting. An archaeological investigation by test-pitting was carried out in advance of the construction of a ménage. It was located over the site of a former medieval fishpond associated with Little Dunmow Priory. Despite the potential for waterlogged deposits no significant archaeological features or finds were identified. <6>