Scheduled Monument: Bradley Hall Moated Site (1011924)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Bradley Hall moated site PARISH: APPLETON DISTRICT: WARRINGTON COUNTY: WARRINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13447 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ65708452 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument comprises a moated site, the island of which is partially occupied by a modernised farmhouse and garden but which was formerly occupied by the manor house of Bradley Hall. The island measures c.70m x 55m and is grass covered where not overlain by the house and garden. It is surrounded by a waterlogged moat c.10m wide x 2.5m deep that has been landscaped on the E side to form an ornamental pond. Access to the island is via a causeway on the E side close to the NE corner that replaced an earlier drawbridge. A secondary access point on the E side has been incorporated into the garden landscaping where the moat has been dammed to form the ornamental pond. Two sets of steps, one in the S arm and one in the W arm, lead down from the island into the moat. The original Bradley Hall occupied the site in the early 14th century. It was rebuilt in 1460 and again in the 17th century, and has been considerably altered since. Bradley Hall and its associated outbuildings, the access drive, all fences and hedged field boundaries, and a telegraph pole are excluded from the scheduling. The ground beneath these features, however, is included. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE 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. Bradley Bradley Hall moated site survives well and is a good example of a moated medieval manor house. The moat itself survives in good condition and remains waterfilled, thus conditions suitable for the preservation of organic materials are considered to exist here. Remains of two earlier building phases of Bradley Hall will survive beneath the present house and gardens. MONUMENT INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE ON 11th March 1991