Medieval moated site, East of Shellow Cross Farm (EHER 682)

A medieval moated site immediately west of Skreens Lodge. The moated site includes a rectangular island which measures a maximum of 58 metres east-west by 30 metres north-south. The island is contained by a moat measuring a maximum of 1.5 metres in depth and up to 5 metres wide on the west, south, and east sides. The majority of the northern arm of the moat, except for a 20 metre section at its eastern end, survives as a buried feature. A leat extends a short distance to the east from the north east corner. Both the 1800 Estate map of Willingdale Doe and Shellow Bowells and the 1837 tithe map of Willingdale depict the moat with a greater part of the north side missing, suggesting that the northern arm was filled in prior to 1800. Scheduled.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Homestead moat. <1> <2> Remains of a rectangular homestead moat in woodland, 62m east-west x 36m with arms averaging 4m wide. Entrance causeway crosses the south arm. Traces of north arm visible as a vague depression. Elsewhere the arms are waterfilled. Filled from a field ditch at the south-east angle. Disturbed ground to the west end of the enclosure probably marks the site of a building. <3> <4> <5> <6> <7> The moated site includes a rectangular island which measures a maximum of 58m east-west by approximately 30m north-south. The island is contained by a moat or ditch measuring a maximum of 1.5m in depth and up to 5m wide on the west, south and east sides. The majority of the northern arm of the moat, except for a 20m section at its eastern end, survives as a buried feature. A leat extends for a short distance to the east from the north east corner, towards Hangman's Spring which is thought to have served as the principal water supply. Both the 1800 Estate map of Willingale Doe and Shellow Bowells and the 1837 tithe map of Willingale depict the moat with the greater part of the north side missing, suggesting that the northern arm was filled in prior to 1800. <8> <9> Field visit, 1988 The depression marking the N arm can no longer be identified. Numerous changes of level can be observed within the enclosed area as a whole, particularly at the W and SW, which is slightly higher than elsewhere, although these could not be confidently interpreted as representing the site of a building. Generally the moat ditches are narrow and sharp sided. Published survey (1:2500) correct. <10> Moat (NR) <11>