Monument record 68/2/6 - Probable Medieval Fishponds

Fishponds, probably medieval, remodelled into a garden in the 17th century

{2} "The three long fish ponds running roughly north and south still contain water and fish. The pond on the east is now practically dry, but the springs in that on the north still bubble."

{4} To the west of the medieval ponds are three long narrow ponds up to 2m deep bounding a roughly rectangular area now ploughed (marked 'c' on the earthwork plan). Two of the ponds, on the west, lie parallel and close to each other; the other, which returns south west at its north end, lies to the east.

{6} Three elongated ponds. All appear in good condition and contain water. No significant erosion to pond sides though all but the western side of 68/2/6 are occupied by trees. A fine avenue of trees occupy the bank between ponds 4 and 5.
Ponds 4 and 5 are connected towards their north ends, by an open and very narrow brick and wooden channel cut into the top of the intervening bank. Note that the level of this channel is set well above the current level of water in both ponds. In the side of pond 4 adjacent, but at a lower level than the western end of the modern inter-connecting channel are the remnants of a small wooden structure. Only three rotting upright wooden posts of the latter are visible above the water surface. Was this part of a previous (and lower) outfall mechanism? An inter-connecting drain utilising at least one length of glazed pipe is present between the extreme north east corner of pond 5 and the extreme west end of pond 6. This is stone faced at either end. As with the channel between ponds 4 and 5 this is set well above current water levels suggesting that at one time the water in ponds 4 and 5 at least, was very much deeper. The outfall from pond 6 comprises a narrow runnel across the top of the pond’s eastern bank. The ground between ponds 5 and 6 was ploughed for potatoes during The Second World War. It is now under mown grass with occasional young trees.

{7} (SP 555391) Fish Ponds (LB)

{8} Published survey (25") revised.

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

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.418 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP53NE12 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.58 Site 19 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Taylor P., 1992, Fishponds Report 1992, (unchecked) (Report). SNN1339.

<6> Cadman G.E., 1996, Farthinghoe Parish: Steane Park, (checked) (Report). SNN49716.

<7> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1955 (Map). SNN112944.

<8> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 09-APR-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:57PM