Monument record 33/3 - System of Medieval Fishponds (Plowden Ponds)

In the early 17th century, 52 ponds were recorded here, although it is doubtful that there were ever that many. Aerial photographs indicate that there were at least 20.

{1} At Aston le Wells manor house were 52 fish ponds. Some still remain, and vestiges of others now disused.

{2} Bridges, writing in about 1720, recorded that there had been 52 fishponds here in the early 17th century and that 'some still remain' as well as 'vestiges of others now disused'. Some of the earthworks visible on air photos taken in 1947 have been destroyed but it is very doubtful that there were ever as many as 52 ponds, though the sites of at least 20 can be detected.

{6} In medieval Northamptonshire fishponds were commonplace. Lodge Pond and the adjoining Upper Pond at Harringworth Lodge are perhaps the best examples surviving in their original state, because most others are now dry and exist mainly as earthworks. The largest collection of medieval ponds in England was at Aston Le Walls where “the 52 Plowden Ponds of Ashton… capable of producing a ton of fish weekly'.
Their earthworks are now partly preserved in old pasture, where they form a chain from the plateau village down towards the brook in the valley below, fragmented by a sewage works, disused railway and farming activities.

{7} Aerial photos NCCAP:SP4950/001-4.

<1> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.100 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.8 site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP45SE5 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> 1955, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN10624.

<5> Bridges T.C., 1920s, Fish Culture, p.3170-71 (unchecked) (Series). SNN109341.

<6> Laundon J.R., 2006, The Importance of Northamptonshire's Reservoirs, p.73 (part checked) (Article). SNN109288.

<7> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1992 4105-6) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Jun 17 2024 4:20PM