Details

The monument is the moated site of Maghull Manor. It includes a slightly
raised rectangular island measuring c.80m by 60m that is flanked on its
eastern and northern sides and around the north-west corner by a waterlogged
moat 1.4m deep to the water level and up to 21m wide on the northern side and
8m wide on the eastern side. Elsewhere the moat has been infilled. A
waterlogged outlet channel issues from the moat's north-west corner. Access
to the island is by a causeway on the eastern side.
The building that occupied the island is thought to have been demolished
during the late 18th century when the present Manor House was built to the
south-west of the moated site. Brick and sandstone foundations, a stone-lined
well, fragments of burnt daub, floor tile and medieval pottery were found on
the island after shallow ploughing in the late 1970's.
All fences, walls, paths, and a brick and sandstone folly at the island's
north-east corner are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath these features is included.

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 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.

Despite partial infilling of the moat, Maghull Manor moated site survives
reasonably well. The site is unencumbered by modern development and evidence
of the building that originally occupied the island is known to survive.
Additionally organic material will be preserved within the waterlogged moat
and outlet channel.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1989)
SMR No 3600/3, Merseyside SMR, Maghull Manor,

Source: Historic England