Scheduled Monument: Hulme Hall Moated Site (1012356)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Hulme Hall moated site PARISH: ALLOSTOCK DISTRICT: VALE ROYAL COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13491 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ72467240 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument is the moated site of Hulme Hall. It includes an island measuring c.60m x 54m upon which stands Hulme Hall. Surrounding the island is a waterlogged moat c.10-30m wide x 1.5m deep that has a 10m square projection at the southern corner. Access to the island is via a causeway on the southeast arm and a bridge of 15th century origin across the northeast arm. Hulme Hall has a long history of occupation commencing as the seat of the Grosvenor family and passing to the Sharkleys during the 15th century. The present hall has 15th century origins with 17th and 19th century alterations and additions. Limited excavation on the island revealed well preserved foundations to a depth of c.1m. Various parts of the ancient hall and their uses are named in documentary sources of 1429. Hulme Hall and the bridge are both Listed Buildings Grade II*. Hulme Hall and its service pipes, the bridge, access drives, all fences, hedges and telegraph poles, and a small structure associated with drainage in the southerly projection of the moat are excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath all these features 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. The monument is a well preserved example of a medieval moated site. It has a long and well documented history of occupation and limited excavation on the island has revealed substantial evidence of structures. Further evidence of the medieval buildings which originally occupied the site will exist beneath the present hall and upon the remainder of the island. Additionally the waterlogged moat will preserve organic material. MONUMENT INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE ON 02nd January 1992