Monument record 33/3/7 - Medieval fishponds (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation) checked

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork

{2} At the north west end of the surviving pond the water passes through a shallow channel cut into the top of a massive dam 12m wide and 2m high. At its north east end this dam continues, first as a narrow steep sided bank 1.5m high, then as a headland between ridge and furrow; the function of this bank is not clear. Below the dam is a smaller rectangular pond, orientated north west - south west and below that lie two very small ponds or tanks set at right angles to each other. Beyond the old railway track which crosses the site at this point and to the south west. Of the hollow-way are three long narrow ponds and below them are the north east ends of two more long ponds which formerly extended south west across the modern stream but which have been destroyed. To the north west of these is a very large pond, over 200 m. long, but only 12 m. wide. This has been damaged but at its north east end, which still survives, it turned south east at right angles. To the north east are two other long narrow ponds. The upper one, now the only pond still holding water, is embanked on both sides. The lower one is similar, but at its north east end it fades out and, at its south west end it turns and opens into a subsidiary rectangular pond in the centre of which is a conical mound or island 1.2 m. high.

{3} At the extreme north west end of the park (SP4929 5128) is a remnant of what may be part of one of the fishponds. This comprises a length of a broad ditch like feature with the remnant of a low bank along its north west side. A stretch of this feature has been infilled to accommodate a farm track. Some stock trample damage alongside the main pond.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.11 site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Cadman, G., 1995, Aston-Le-Walls Fishponds, (checked) (Note). SNN108794.

Record last edited

Apr 11 2014 9:45AM