Medieval mill ponds, dams and fishponds, West of Leez Priory (EHER 937)

A succession of thirteen basins separated by dams. They are mill ponds, dams or fishponds probably of monastic origin.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Mill ponds, dams, fishponds. <1> Mill basins on right bank of River Ter, north west of Leighs Priory. Succession of basins extending 1.5 miles along the river bank, ending north west of the house. All except lowest basin are dry. <2> A succession of thirteen basins separated by dams. The stream passing through them seems to be the old course of the River Ter, the present course having been diverted to a higher level. The stream has breached the dams, in some cases it is bridged or culverted at these points. Normally the basins are dry save the two lowest ones. The dams' and basins' sides vary in height according to their position in the valley. They possibly served a dual purpose as fish ponds and mill ponds. The river was diverted 50 or 100 years ago. The earthworks are probably the work of the medieval monks rather than the 1st Baron Rich of Leez who built the existing house dated to 1540. In time of drought they helped keep the priory mill going. According to Morant the fish ponds at Leez Priory gave their name to Pond Park, 413 acres in extent, one of the 3 fine parks appended to the priory in Lord Rich's time. <3> <4> <5> The basins occupy the flat bottom of the valley, and the stream that now passes through them follow the old course of the River Ter, the present course of the river having been diverted to a higher level. All the dams have been breached and in some cases the stream is bridge or culverted at these points. The average height of the dam is 2.0m. and the depth of the basins 1.6m, but some have been ploughed out in recent years. Normally the basins are dry except for the lowest one and they were possibly constructed to serve a dual purpose, both as fish ponds and as reservoir ponds to the Priory mill. Published survey (25") revised. <6> <7> Aerial Photographs in SMR shows cropmark and earthworks (?) of part of the pond series. <8> Photo references <9> and <10> Site Assessment = Some have been ploughed out in recent years. <6> in <1>