Medieval moat at Rafe Hall Farm (EHER 9347)

Remains of a medieval moat at Rife Hall, which is an 18th century building with extensive 19th century alterations. No trace can be found of an earlier building.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Homestead moat at the Rectory (Rafe Hall) 400 yards east of the church. <2> August 1976. Field survey. Rife Hall (name confirmed, Rectory obsolete) is an 18th century building with extensive 19th century alterations. Situated on level ground to the north and west of the house are the dry remains of a large homestead moat. They comprise a west arm, 130.0m long by 8.0m wide, and the partly filled western portion of the north arm, 50.0m long, incorporating the north-west angle. Both arms have an average depth of 1.5m and have been reduced in width by modern roads. A causeway across the west arm appears to be relatively modern but no trace of the original entrance was found. The island now forms the garden of the house and no trace can be seen of an earlier building. The present occupier <3> has found nothing of note in the grounds. Published 1:2500 revised. <4> - <6> 1978. Field visit. On MSRG card as Rafe Hall. Incomplete, irregular moat. Rafe Hall used to be the rectory. Ditch is at its best at the entrance becoming less in size as one proceeds in either direction from the entrance and dies out. Reputed to have had a bridge. <7> Sketch plan on back of MSRG card and on back of SMR sheet. <8> <9>