Medieval homestead moat at Moat Farm, Ridgewell (EHER 6977)

The remains of a homestead moat. Three arms remain intact; the fourth is marked by a shallow depression in the ground.

Homestead moat at Moat Farm. Three arms remain; the fourth is marked by a shallow depression in the ground. <1> Three arms remain and the north west arm is traceable as a shallow depression. In fairly good condition. <2> Incomplete, rectangular, water supply from surface, no enclosure banks, flat enclosure. Moat is 7m wide, 0.5m deep to the water. One pond. <3> Sketch plan on back of MSRG card, from 1st edition OS map and site visit, shows east arm has been filled in. <4> Located on village margin. Unknown status. Entrance by causeway. One external enclosure bank. The moat is 7m wide, 2m deep (to the water?). This source (<5>) has plans traced from 1960 OS map and from 1983 survey. Comparison shows the east arm has gone, also the eastern part of the south arm, and some of the earthwork of the northern arm. <5> <6> <7> See aerial photograph <8>. Moat (NR). <9> This site is included in a survey of moats in the Haverhill area (see illustration card). <10> Area = 0.43 May 1950. Field survey. Correct as shown on 6". The NW arm can be traced by a shallow depression. Condition fairly good. <11> January 1995. Scheduled Ancient Monument. See <12>. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data transfer.