Details

The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval moated
site occupying a slighty elevated position in an area of gently undulating
land close to the top of the steep east valley side of the River Severn. It
lies within Oldpark, a former deer park, noted on Rocque's map of Shropshire,
published in 1752.

The moat, which is between 8m and 12m wide, defines an oval island
approximately 80m north west - south east by 96m south west - north east.
Material excavated from the moat has been used to raise the western part of
the island up to 0.5m above the level of the surrounding ground. Spoil dug
from the moat has also been used to create an internal bank, up to 7m wide and
standing 0.5m high, around the south western and southern sides of the island.

The moat is now essentially dry, except for the two ponds created within the
eastern and northern parts of the circuit. A further former pond within the
northern portion of the moat has been infilled. The outer side of the southern
part of the moat has modified by ploughing and by a trackway, which is no
longer in use. This former trackway is not included in the scheduling. Access
onto the island is currently via a causeway that crosses the north western
section of the moat. The remains of a second causeway, associated with a
former track, crosses the north eastern part of the moat. The centre of the
island is occupied by a house, which is partly timber-framed. To the west of
the house there are a series of slight undulations, some of which may relate
to the positions of former buildings.

A number of features are excluded from the scheduling, these are; the house
and associated outbuildings, the driveway and paved areas, all ornamental
garden features, the oil storage container, all fences, gates and modern brick
walls, the sheep pens and associated water tank, animal feed and drinking
troughs, concrete drain covers, and the telegragh poles; the ground beneath
all these features is, however, 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.

Old Park Farm moated site is a well-preserved example of this class of
monument, despite some disturbance to parts of the moat. Subcircular moated
sites are relatively uncommon nationally and such sites are thought to date to
the early medieval period. The moated island will retain buried structural and
artefactual evidence of former buildings, which together with the artefacts
and organic remains existing in the moat will provide valuable information
about the occupation and social status of the inhabitants of the site. Organic
remains surviving in the buried ground surface under the raised interior and
within the moat will also provide information about the changes to the local
environment and the use of the land before and after the moated site was
constructed.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: Map of Shropshire
Source Date: 1752
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:

Source: Historic England