Details

The monument includes Hallsteads medieval moated site. It is located on
relatively flat land to the east of Gillcambom Beck and includes an island
surrounded by a dry moat which is flanked by an outer bank. The island
measures c.24m east-west by 30m north-south and has an inner bank up to 2m
wide by 0.3m high on all sides except the west. Surrounding the island is a
dry moat which measures 5m-8m wide by 1m deep. The moat is flanked on all
sides except the four corners by an outer bank measuring 5m-8m wide by 0.5m
high.
Access to the island is gained via a causeway situated at the north east
corner. An aerial photograph shows faint traces of a rectangular feature
interpreted as the buried remains of a building at the south west corner of
the island.

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.

Hallsteads moated site survives reasonably well, its earthworks remaining well
preserved. It is unencumbered by modern development and will retain evidence
for the building that originally occupied the island and which is visible in
an aerial photograph of the monument.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
AP Ref.No. CCC 1640,15, Cumbria County Council, Hallsteads Moated Site,
AP Ref.No. CCC 1640,8, Cumbria County Council, Hallsteads Moated Site,
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
SMR Ref No. 900, Cumbria SMR, Hallsteads moated site, (1987)

Source: Historic England