Fishponds 300m SW of Church

Description of this historic site

Earthworks enclosing two large ponds have been interpreted as Medieval/Post Medieval fishponds, used for the breeding and storage of fish. They appear on a tithe map of 1840, and are situated 300m south west of the bridge at Wootton Wawen.

Notes about this historic site

1 References in 1637 Terrier (Record Office) to the ‘flood gate pit’.
2 Earthworks enclosing two large ponds. A 16th century terrier is said to refer to ‘Mr Smyth’s sluice gate pit’ and the larger pond is shown in use on the tithe map of 1840. They seem to have formed part of an irrigation system. Immediately to the N, and included in the scheduled area, is some well-preserved water-meadow. A Medieval origin as fishponds associated with Wootton Wawen Priory cannot be discounted.
3 Post Medieval ornamental gardens with ponds and a mound.
4 The mound has also been interpreted as the motte of a Medieval castle (PRN 4533) and as as Ice House (PRN 6011).
5 Correspondence from 1974 recommending the ponds for scheduling.
6 Correspondence from EH.

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