Possible remains of medieval moat at the Old Rectory (EHER 4126)

On the west side of the Old Rectory is a deep waterfilled ditch, widening at its southern end. It is possible that this represents a single arm of a medieval moat, though the evidence for this is uncertain.

On the west side of the Old Rectory (a Victorian house) is a deep waterfilled ditch, widening at the south end. A further detached strip of water on the north side, alongside the road. Elsewhere the property is bounded by a drainage ditch. There is no evidence for continuation of a waterfilled moat on the north and east sides. If it did continue it must have been dry or on different levels as the site is on a gentle north-east facing slope. <1> <2> <3> Incomplete, irregular moat, wet. <4> Sketch plan on back of MSRG card. <5> NRHE data import: The former rectory (a new one was built in 1950) stood on a moated site at Magdalen Laver. <6> 1971. Field Survey. On the west side of The Old Rectory (a Victorian house) is a deep waterfilled ditch which widens a little at the southern end. There is a further detached strip of water on the north side, alongside the road. Elsewhere, the property is bounded by a drainage ditch of modest proportions. If the waterfilled stretches represent the remains of a homestead moat, then its continuation around the north and east sides, for which there is no ground evidence, must have been as a dry moat, as the site lies upon a gentle north-east facing slope, or else the moat was constructed at different levels. Published 1:2500 survey correct. <7>