Monument record 2235/0/2 - Probable Medieval/Post Medieval Fishponds

Medieval fishponds and associated earthworks located in pasture east of the village and south of 16th Century manor house. The area around the ponds show earthworks forming no coherent pattern, which may represent the earlier site of the village of Pilton.

{1) Plan. The ponds measure 110 x 62 ft, 60 x 55 ft and 75 x 40 ft respectively, with an overflow channel to the side.

{2} A set of three fishponds aligned along a stream; they also have a bypass channel on their southern side. The fishponds are cut through earlier ridge and furrow.

{3} Fishponds and associated earthworks (TL 02508437) in an area of pasture E of the village and 150 m south of the isolated church and manor house at 100 ft above OD. The site consists of three rectangular ponds in a line, orientated NW-SE and linked together by shallow channels but separated by low banks. The ponds are cut back into the hillside, and each has a large external bank on the SW downhill side, to retain the water. Some sherds of medieval pottery were found in one of them. The area round the ponds is covered with low banks, mounds and scarps, forming no coherent pattern, which may represent an earlier site of the village of Pilton. The field is named as Hall close in 1838, but the ponds themselves are depicted as 'Poor Land'.

{8} (TL 0250 8452) Manor House (LB) (Rectory) Fishponds (NR)

{9} The Manor House (Rectory) is of the 16th century.

{10} Manor House in good condition. See photo. Published survey (25") of fishponds revised.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1970, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, p.307-8 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN4943.

<2> BROWN A.E., 1996, Earthworks at Pilton, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN47721.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.74 Site 9 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

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

<6> Cadman G., 2000, Pilton Village Earthworks, (unchecked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN101375.

<7> Cadman, G, 1993, Pilton: Conservation Reconnaissance Survey Notes, 22nd November 1993 (Notes). SNN112866.

<8> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<9> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 129 (Series). SNN100370.

<10> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 25-SEP-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<11> 1838, Tithe Map of Pilton (Map). SNN8158.

Record last edited

Mar 1 2023 1:00PM