Possibly post-medieval garden enclosure or medieval moat, Shellow Cottages (EHER 675)

A supposed medieval moat, which might in fact be a post-medieval garden enclosure.

Moat at site of old Rectory. <1> OS 1976 don't consider it to be a moat but a ditch enclosed garden with rectangular ditches averaging 4m wide x 1.6m deep surrounding Shellow Hall Cottage. Overall 60m north-south x 40m. Slightly raised interior. No trace of north arm except for a later roadside drain. <2> <3> Incomplete, rectangular. <4> <5> Tracing from OS resurvey is in SMR. <6> Additional reference <7> <8> Information from NRHE Moat (NR) <9> Remains of a moat lie about 1/4 mile east of Shellow Bowells Church (TL 610079) <1> Field visit, 1949 Moat is correct as shown. The garden of the western cottage has an abnormal scatter of weathered tile and brownish-yellow glazed pottery. The occupier states that possible foundations were found while laying water pipes. <10> Field visit, 1974 A rectangular ditch averaging 4.0m wide by 1.6m deep surrounds Shellow Hall Cottages centred TL 61040794. It measures overall 60.0m north-south by 40.0m east-west with slightly raised interior. No trace of the north arm is visible except for a later roadside drain. The ditches have the appearance of an early modern garden enclosure probably surrounding a former house site (see authority 3). The medieval occupation scatter site has now been grassed over. Published 25" survey correct. <11> Field visit, 1988 The narrowness and form of the ditches are consistent with many field drains around defined enclosures in this area. <12>