Scheduled Monument: Great Lodge moated site, Higham Park (1012327)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT Great Lodge moat is located on the edge of the medieval deer park of Higham Park, close to the park entrance. The rectangular moated site covers an area measuring approximately 90m x 130m and is surrounded on three sides by ditches up to 2m wide and 8m deep. Originally the ditches were deeper and on the north east side the ditch is filled in. There are traces of a slight inner bank on north west, south west and south east sides of the moat island and remains of a larger outer bank on the north east side. A causeway crosses the north west arm to the moat island, where a small rectangular platform indicates the location of a former building. The moat island is known to be the site of the keeper's Great Lodge, which was first recorded in 1327, but is considered to have been built before this date and repairs to it are recorded from 1391 onwards. In the 15th century a hall, chapel, chamber, kitchen, brewhouse and bakehouse were recorded on the site. The remains of two fishponds, now much altered, can still be seen to the north-west of the moated site but they are not included in the scheduling. The buildings on the moat island are known to have been demolished when the present farm north-west of the moat was built in the 17th century. Made up roadways are excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath is included. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches, often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains. Great Lodge moated site has well documented associations with the medieval deer park extending back to the 14th century. The moated site is essentially undamaged and retains considerable archaeological potential for the recovery of evidence of building foundations within the interior.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2023 9:49AM