Details

The monument includes a moated enclosure, associated banked enclosure
and a fishpond. The moated site, which is aligned north-west to south-
east, is sub-trapezoidal in shape and measures some 55m by 35m in
internal dimensions. It is surrounded by a water-filled moat on all but
the west side which has been backfilled to form a drive. The moat is
about 8m wide except for the north-west and south-east angles which have
been enlarged into two ponds. The island is slightly raised above the
surrounding land. Upon the island, and excluded from the scheduling, are
the upstanding remains of a post medieval farmhouse and stables. These
are considered to be located upon the site of earlier buildings and the
ground below them is included in the scheduling. Low earthworks visible
to the east of the house suggest the presence of additional related
buildings. Adjacent to the moat on the north side are the well-defined
remains of a banked enclosure currently enclosing a small orchard. The
interior of the enclosure is very uneven marking the probable sites of
additional out-house structures. A rectangular pond, north of the banked
enclosure, is believed to be a contemporary fishpond. The pond measures
some 60m by 20m and drains into an outflow leat at its east end. A short
channel leads from the pond towards the north-west angle of the moat to
where it is blocked by a solid causeway.

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 6000 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 or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture.
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.
College Farm moated site survives in good condition and its significance
is increased by the association with a contemporary fishpond and banked
enclosure.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
CRO MA48, Enclosure map (1806), (1806)
CRT 110/34, Re College Farm moated enclosure, (1624)
Map belonging to F Stapleton, Stapleton, F, (1989)
SMR record, Simco, A, SMR entry (College Farm, Keysoe), (1986)
Title: Ordnance Survey reprinted regional contour Map c. 1850's?
Source Date:
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Source: Historic England