Monument record 1788 - Wetreins Farm Moat

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ45 SW 7 (Index). SCH2487.

Homestead Moat

Published survey (1:2500) revised. [TPW 16/11/1964]

The moat is 95.0m by 72m overall and is in poor condition. The ditch averages 1.0m depth. Rig and furrow cultivation is visible on the island running parallel with the long axis. Bricks and other debris have been deposited in the ditch near the SW corner. [DJC 16/03/1976]

Published survey (1:2500) correct. [PC 15/03/1977]

<2> Wilson D et al, 1973-1986, Moated Sites Research Group Records (Paper Archive). SCH2205.

A single ditched rectangular moat 95m by 72m. The ditch is c.1m deep. Probably the earlier site of Stretton Hall (see CHER 1729/2/1).

<3> Various, Aerial photographs (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

For air photos see CPAT 86.MB 629-630 and CUCAP BSB 12 & 13.

<4> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, 1986/7/23, 25 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.

<5> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2017, Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Sampling the Peak Fringe, Cheshire Plain and Mersey Valley, 68898 (Digital Archive). SCH8172.

The rectilinear ditched enclosure, potentially a poorly preserved medieval moated site, is visible as an earthwork to the north of Wetreins Farm on historic aerial photography and lidar imagery and was mapped as part of the Cheshire National Mapping Programme project. The moat appears to remain extant on the latest 2010 vertical photography (see 6).

The moat takes the form of a shallow and irregular rectilinear ditch, broader on the northern arm and with internal dimensions of approximately 80 x 55m, enclosing an area of around 0.41 hectares. The interior appears to contain a block of later medieval / post medieval ridge and furrow ploughing (UID 1606965) and the moat is surrounded by similar ridge and furrow to west, north and east (6-8).

<6> Next Perspectives, 2010, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (2010), SJ4353, 11/10/2010 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8173.

<7> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, SJ4353, 06/12/2008 (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

<8> Royal Air Force, 1945-1979, RAF Aerial Photographs, RAF/540/491 RP 3005, 11/05/1951 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8316.

<9> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Reputedly filled in c.1983.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4353, 1874 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The moat is first depicted on this map.