Monument record 4125 - Site of watermill, west of Wilbarston Primary School

Earthwork remains of a medieval watermill. Remains include a building platform, dam, reservoir and water channels

{1} A large earthern dam, some 3m high which spans the valley west of the existing stream. This dam has a gap near its east end and limestone rubble is exposed in the sides, presumably where the mill-wheel stood. Beyond the dam, to the north, is a broad channel, undoubtedly the mill-race, which runs for some 60m before joining the stream. At the west end of the dam is another channel which probably carried surplus water around the mill. Above the dam is a large trapezoidal pond, the interior of which is largely occupied by a triangular island with a circular mound 1.5m high at its apex. Such islands have been noted elsewhere. Traces of an inlet channel exist beyond the south corner of this pond, and there is a gap in the south east corner which may also have provided an entrance for water.The field to the south of the dam was known as The Dam in 1815. The site has been described as a set of fishponds but its use as a mill is more likely.

{2} Described as fishponds

{3} (SP 81018821) Fishponds (LB) The fish ponds, although now in the parish of Stoke Albany, were probably once of a manor at Wilbarston, of which no mention can be found.

{5} The earthworks are not fish ponds but are the site of the medieval mill, and the remains of its dam, reservoir and associated water channels.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.136/Site 1 & Fig 121 (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Taylor P., 1992, Fishponds Report 1992, (checked) (Report). SNN1339.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88NW5 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> STEANE J.M., 1970, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, 4/309-310 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN4943.

<5> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, 24/July (Notes). SNN111907.

<6> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF VAP CPE/UK/2109,4274-6 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<7> Aerial Photograph, CUAP,AZS 70 (Photographs). SNN112974.

<8> Steane J.M., 1971, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, p. 309-10 (Journal). SNN30821.

<9> Historic England, Stoke Albany watermill, BB74/04712 (Archive). SNN116383.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:56PM