Site of Washford Fishponds

Description of this historic site

The site of Washford Medieval fishponds, used for the breeding and storage of fish. The site was partly excavated before road construction destroyed it. It was situated north of the weir at Washford, Studley.

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Notes about this historic site

1 A set of earthworks, which were destroyed by road construction during Autumn 1968. Chief features were a fishpond complex in the N of the field and a system of leats leading to Washford Mill (PRN 568) in the S half. The pond system formed three sides of a rectangular raised area. On the N and W was a long ‘L’-shaped pond, and on the S side was separate wider rectangular pond. Attached to N arm was a much smaller square pool. The centre pond system was fed by a series of channels taken off from the Arrow. The fishponds were examined in advance of road construction for Redditch New Town. The fishponds were probably 13th century and constructed at the time when the mill was owned by the Knights Templars. The fishponds and rectangular platforms which were threatened immediately were sectioned mechanically. A small building was also excavated (PRN 6168).
2 Plan.