Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moat and an associated
hollow-way. The moated site measures about 50m. square, with the central
island surrounded by a ditch some 12m. wide. The ditch is water filled
for its entire circuit, and there is no evidence of an original entrance
causeway. On the north and west sides the ditch has a slight outer bank.
The interior may have contained various buildings and features,
evidenced by uneven ground on the eastern side. A further feature of the
site is a linear earthwork, made up of two low parallel banks, running
west from the south-west corner of the moat. The earthwork is visible up
to the edge of the wood, and disappears into the ploughed field beyond.
It may once have been linked to the hollow-way which communicates with
St Mary's Church 800m. west of the moat. Bush Wood moat is located less
than 400m. to the north-east of the contemporary Gannock Grove moated
enclosure which also has an associated hollow-way.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Around 6000 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 or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture.
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.
Bush Wood moat is a fine example of a single island site. It survives in
very good condition and has high potential for the preservation of both
wet and dry remains within the ditches and interior. The significance of
the site is increased by the location of the nearby Gannock Grove moat.

Source: Historic England