Medieval to post-medieval moat at Smeetham Hall (EHER 8508)

Remains of an incomplete moat of uncertain date, possibly intended to be ornamental.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Moat at Smeetham Hall. Domesday manor. <2> The south-west side has been destroyed. <3> July 1976. Field survey. Smeetham Hall (name confirmed) is 19th century according to the owner. See photograph. No trace of an earlier buildings was found on the site. The present house is enclosed on the north-east side by a 'U' shaped waterfilled ditch which measures overall 65.0m long with arms 8.0m wide by 2.0m deep. 1978. Field visit. The water level is maintained by surface drainage with no obvious outlet. No trace of a possible south-west side was found. The ground falls away to the south-west and would prohibit the complete enclosing of the house by a continuous waterfall ditch. It is possible that the feature was dug as an ornamental moat. Published 1:2500 survey 1957 revised. <4> - <6> Smeetham Hall is a 19th century manorial building on a hillock. The moat is incomplete, 65.0m long on north-east side, revetment at south end near house. <6> Sketch plan on back of MSGR card and on back of SMR sheet. <7>