Details

The monument comprises a moated site, the island of which is partially
occupied by a modernised farmhouse and garden but which was formerly
occupied by the manor house of Bradley Hall.
The island measures c.70m x 55m and is grass covered where not overlain
by the house and garden. It is surrounded by a waterlogged moat c.10m
wide x 2.5m deep that has been landscaped on the E side to form an
ornamental pond. Access to the island is via a causeway on the E side
close to the NE corner that replaced an earlier drawbridge. A secondary
access point on the E side has been incorporated into the garden
landscaping where the moat has been dammed to form the ornamental pond.
Two sets of steps, one in the S arm and one in the W arm, lead down from
the island into the moat.
The original Bradley Hall occupied the site in the early 14th century.
It was rebuilt in 1460 and again in the 17th century, and has been
considerably altered since.
Bradley Hall and its associated outbuildings, the access drive, all
fences and hedged field boundaries, and a telegraph pole are excluded
from the scheduling. The ground beneath these features, however, is
included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.

Bradley Hall moated site survives well and is a good example of a
moated medieval manor house. The moat itself survives in good condition
and remains waterfilled, thus conditions suitable for the preservation
of organic materials are considered to exist here. Remains of two
earlier building phases of Bradley Hall will survive beneath the present
house and gardens.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Beaumont, W, 'Chetham Society' in Trans.Chetham Society, , Vol. 17, ()
Other
Cheshire SMR, Bradley Hall. Record No. 550/1,
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
Ministry of Housing & Local Govt, Runcorn, RDC. , Provisional List of Buildings of Architectural and Historical Interest, (1962)
Pagination 1-2, Burton, J., Bradley Hall, Appleton. The Moated Site. A Survey and Report, (1984)

Source: Historic England