Details

The monument includes a double moated site orientated south-west to north-east
and situated on the crest of a hill 700m north-west of Rickling Church. The
larger, western moat is circular, 54m in overall diameter, and defined by a
waterfilled ditch 12m wide. A brick and concrete bridge gives access to the
island at the south-east side of the moat. On the island is an 18th-century
house which is listed Grade II. Approximately 10m north-east is the second
moat which is subrectangular in shape and measures 36m east-west by 30m north-
south. The ditch ranges between 5m and 10m in width and is waterfilled.
There is no access to the island which is raised c.0.5m above the surrounding
ground level. A possible fishpond once situated immediately east of the
eastern moat appears to have been infilled and is not included in the
scheduling. The Grade II listed house, footbridge and the above ground
waterpipe are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath them 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.

The Coldhams Farm site is an example of a more unusual class of moated site
which is rare even in areas of the country where moated sites are more
widespread. It remains essentially undisturbed and will retain archaeological
information pertaining to the occupation and development of the site. The
waterlogged ditches and areas of the interior will contain environmental
evidence relating to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in
which they lived.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
SMR No:126, Information from SMR No. 126,

Source: Historic England