Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moated enclosure and
associated ponds. The moated site is trapezoidal in shape measuring
about 82m long by 55m in maximum dimensions inclusive of the 6m wide
surrounding moat. At the north angle a drainage leat extends some 10m
beyond the moat. The west angle is extended to form an irregular shaped
pond possibly used as a fishpond. The interior of the island is flat
except for a bank of building debris along the inside of the north arm,
thought to be from the demolished farm buildings recorded as once
occupying the island.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

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
understanding the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside.
Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic
remains.

Wold Farm is a well-preserved example of a Bedfordshire moated site with
a diversity of features, including a complex of ponds, moat, causeway
and island.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
P.A.S., Ordnance Survey Records, (1974)
Title:
Source Date:
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
RE: Wold Farm moated enclosure, Odell

Source: Historic England