Summary

The monument includes a medieval moated site and associated fishponds to the east of Rowden Manor.

Source: Historic England

Details

PRINCIPAL FEATURES: the monument includes a medieval moated site and associated fishponds to the east of Rowden Manor.

DESCRIPTION: the site survives as the earthwork and buried remains of a square, ditched enclosure aligned west-north-west to east-south-east and measuring approximately 80m square, situated to the south-east of a C16 farmhouse. The moat ditches survive to a width of 12m and a depth of 1m on the west side, but are otherwise largely silted up or infilled. The moated island survives as a level platform approximately 50m square. There is no visible evidence of the original house but buried features relating to this building are likely to survive beneath the ground surface. Beyond the moated site is a water-management system with at least three rectilinear fishponds which are considered to be contemporary with the moated site, as well as a series of adjacent associated banks and ditches.

EXCLUSIONS: all fences, fence posts, gate posts, garden walls, modern road and path surfaces, garden buildings and furniture, are excluded from the scheduled area; however, the ground beneath these features is included.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

The moated site and fishponds to the east of Rowden Manor are scheduled for the following principal reasons:
* Survival: both the moated site and its associated fishponds survive well;
* Rarity: this is one of the few known examples in Wiltshire;
* Documentation: there is a good level of historical documentation concerning the house that occupied the moated site, including the part it played during the Civil War;
* Potential: the survival of archaeological deposits, including waterlogged organic material, has the potential to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the site;
* Group value: its interest is enhanced by the historical relationship with adjacent Rowden Manor (listed Grade II*), a former lodging range to the moated house.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Daniell, J J, History of Chippenham, (1894)
Websites
MWI5239 - ST97SW457 Wiltshire and Swindon Historic Environment Record: Rowden Farm , accessed 14 March 2017 from http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshireandswindonhistoricenvironmentrecord/wshermap.htm?a=d&id=16917
Pastscape 212499: Rowden, accessed 14 March 2017 from http://pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=212499
Other
CGMS, 2014, Specialist Walkover Survey And Aerial Photography Review
D2 Planning Limited, 2016, Environmental Statement Addendum Rowden / Patterdown, Chippenham
LIDAR ST9172 DSM 02-16-APR-2005
RAF/540/549 4015 14-JUL-1951

Source: Historic England