Post-medieval drainage ditches at Bowells (EHER 4344)

Supposed moat. The tithe map of 1841 shows buildings occupying the 'island', which probably represent farm buildings, but these are no longer extant. The waterfilled ditches occur on the north, east, and west sides, but there is no trace of there having been a ditch on the south side, which suggests that the ditches never served as defensive features and may therefore have served only as drains. The 'moat' is 65m x 60m with a width varying between 9m and 5m.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (GT). <1> Moat at 'Bowells'. <2> <3> Western arm wet. <4> Photo. <5> Name from Chapman and Andre map, 1777. <6> NMP analysis shows the 'moat' obscured by trees on RAF aerial photographs taken in 1946. Aerial photographs taken in 1973 show a square earthwork. <7> - <9> February 1950. Field survey. Moat correct as shown on 6" field sheet. Condition good. Building appears to have been demolished some years ago. <10> <11> July 1973. Field survey. Measuring overall 65.0m east-west, by 60.0m north-south this ditched enclosure is complete but for a section of the south arm of which there is no trace of former existence. The arms are dry and largely overgrown and their overall width varies from 5.0m to 9.0m, with a depth of 1.8m. The central area is under crop. The tithe map of about 1841 shows the ditches as waterfilled and of similar proportions, with numerous buildings (presumably a farm) within the enclosed area. It is doubtful if this was ever a genuine defensive or protective feature, and it is more likely to have been only for drainage purposes. Published survey (25") revised. <12> - <14>