Scheduled Monument: Hatton Hall Moated Site (1011787)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Hatton Hall moated site PARISH: HATTON DISTRICT: CHESTER COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13456 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ47206105 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument comprises a moated site, the island of which is occupied by Hatton Hall, its outbuildings and gardens. The island measures c.60m x 55m and stands 0.5m above the surrounding ground surface. The hall, its access drive and outbuildings occupy much of the N half of the island with the remainder of the platform being given over to gardens and lawns. Some scarps run N-S and E-W and may reflect the layout predating the present hall. A predominantly waterlogged moat with arms up to 18-20m max. width surrounds the island. The moat widens at the NE corner while at the SW corner there is evidence of partially filled inlet/outlet channels. Access to the island is via a sandstone revetted causeway across the moat's N arm. The inner scarp of the N arm E of the causeway has been removed and replaced by sandstone terraced ornamental flowerbeds. Outer banks flank the S and E arms of the moat, the former measuring c.8m wide x 0.5m high, the latter c.6m wide x 0.3m high. The moated site dates to c.1200 when Hatton was granted to the Hattons of Hatton, near Daresbury, who established a branch of the family there in the early-mid 13th century. The hall was a quadrangular structure of timber with access via a drawbridge. The hall was replaced by the present house c.1830. The present Hatton Hall and the early 19th century sandstone revetted causeway are both Grade II Listed Buildings. Hatton Hall and its driveway, the associated outbuildings and a greenhouse, the sandstone revetting of the causeway and the sandstone terraced ornamental flowerbeds, a service pipe and its stone supporting pillars, and all walls and fences are excluded from the scheduling. The ground beneath all 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. Hatton Hall moated site survives well and is a good example of the site of a medieval moated manor house. The moat itself survives in good condition and remains waterfilled, thus providing conditions suitable for the preservation of organic materials. Additionally remains of the earlier Hatton Hall are considered likely to survive beneath the present house and gardens. MONUMENT INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE ON 29th October 1991