Details

The monument comprises an attractive and well maintained moated site, the
island of which is occupied by Peel Hall, its outbuildings and lawns. The
island measures c.35m square and is raised above the level of the
surrounding fields. It is surrounded by a spring-fed waterlogged moat c.9m
max. width x 1.8m deep that has been lined with a sandstone wall. The moat
widens close to the N corner where provision was made for cattle watering.
There are two bridges affording access, that across the NW arm is of
sandstone and brick, while the bridge across the SW arm has ornate pinnacled
cast-iron posts. The monument has been landscaped with the addition of an
ornamental circular island with access via a footbridge close to the W
corner.
Peel Hall was the ancient seat of the Ardernes family but was burnt down
sometime after 1663. A new house was built and this in turn was replaced by
the present structure c.1840.
Both bridges and the sandstone wall lining the moat are Grade II Listed.
The hall and its outbuildings; both bridges and the sandstone wall lining
the moat; a path from the bridge over the SW arm to the hall; and all fences
and walls flanking the monument are excluded from the scheduling. The
ground beneath all these features, however, is included.
The ornamental island in the moat is included as any works on it will disturb
other remains in the moat. The footbridge which allows access to it is
excluded.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

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.

Peel Hall moated site survives well and is a good example of the site of a
medieval moated mansion house. The monument retains considerable
archaeological potential for the survival of evidence of the structural
foundations of two earlier building phases of Peel Hall beneath the present
house and lawns.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Hanshall, JH, History of Cheshire, (1817), 453
Other
10/10/1990, Gleave, Mr T ,
Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1989)
DOE, List of Buildings of Historic & Architectural Interest,
SMR No. 976/1, Cheshire SMR, Peel Hall, (1988)

Source: Historic England