Site of medieval homestead moat, Old Wimbish Hall, Wimbish (EHER 168)

Slight remains of a medieval homestead moat possibly associated with the old Wimbish Hall, which dates from before the 17th century. The moat has almost been entirely destroyed by ploughing and filling. It appears originally to have been a broad shallow ditch enclosing a sub-circular area near the summit of a hill. In the north eastern corner there may have been a fishpond.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Homestead moat, said to be the site of the old (Wimbish) hall. Ditch in poor state of preservation. The moat lies to the north-west of Wimbish Hall adjacent to the church and is thought to mark the site of the Old Hall. <1> In 1086 eight hides were held in demesne by Ralf Baignard. <2> Sketch plan on back of MSRG, shows three sides of a sub-circular dry moat, part of north east arm waterfilled. <3> Area = 0.7 The present Wimbish Hall, late 17th century was gutted by fire in 1953. <4> 1969. Field survey. The feature shown on the old 25" as a moat has now been almost entirely destroyed by ploughing and filling. It appears originally to have been a broad shallow ditch enclosing a sub-circular area near the summit of a hill. In the north-eastern corner is a waterfilled rectangular depression which may originally have been a fish-pond. To the south, and within the garden of 'The Hall', is what appears to be the water-filled west arm and north-west corner of a moat, but the remaining arms are no longer visible. 'The Hall', at TL5900 3684, is being repaired but presents a comparatively modern appearance externally. Published 1:2500 revised. <5> 1975. Field survey. Moated enclosure, form not clear, possibly circular. The moat is 3-10m wide and 1-2m deep and is dry for most of the year. Site Assessment = Largely overgrown and much narrowed, probably from gradual infilling-1975. <6> 1989. Field survey. Only the west arm of the moat now remains and is heavily overgrown, the projection of this arm to the NE has been infilled. The centre of the moat is used as a vegetable garden, no evidence was seen for any further moat arms. Wimbish Hall Farm TL 5900 3686 lies off the moat platform to the E. <7> June 1991. Field visit. Visit by John Hunter 13/6/91 who suspects that it is a defensive enclosure rather than a moat, perhaps the site of the village. But if the site of Old Hall, village must be somewhere nearby. The ponds to the west could be connected with a mill of some sort. John Hunter is going to investigate. <8> See also: <9> <10> <11>