WETHERDEN OLD HALL


Description:  Remains of a medieval moated site and associated fishponds. The central island is surrounded by a waterfilled moat. A building platform along the northern edge of the island is occupied by a timber framed building dating from the late 16th century and known as Wetherden Old Hall. The platform extends 26 metres beyond the western end of the building, marking the site of a part of the structure which stood until 1984. It is thought that this building originated as a service range ancillary to the main house, the site of which is indicated by traces of brick footings which have been recorded on the east side of the island. The main house was probably demolished in the mid 17th century. The surviving building is thought to have been used as a farmhouse until the 19th century. A brick bridge crosses the west arm of the moat, supported on two arches, the bases of which are believed to date from the 16th century. There are traces of an inner revetting wall along the south and east sides of the moat. This revetting is 16/17th century in date. A 'minor outer' moat reported in an early source is probably a mis-identification of a drainage ditch to the south west. Two interconnecting ponds lie east of the moat and a third lies west of the south west corner. These represent fishponds associated with the medieval site.

Country:  ENGLAND

County:  SUFFOLK

District:  BABERGH

Parish:  HITCHAM

Grid Reference:   TL97195099

Map Reference:  [EPSG:27700] 597190, 250990

Period:  MEDIEVAL, MODERN, 1066 - 1540, 1500 - 1599, 1600 - 1699, 1633 - 1666, 1984, POST MEDIEVAL, 1567 - 1599, 1633 - 1799

Subject:  BRIDGE, DEMOLISHED BUILDING, EARTHWORK, EXTANT BUILDING, FARMHOUSE, FISHPOND, MANOR HOUSE, MOAT, REVETMENT, SERVICE WING, STRUCTURE, TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING

Identifiers: 
[ADS] Depositor Id: TL 95 SE 11
[ADS] Import RCN: NMR_NATINV-385061

People Involved: 
[Publisher] Historic England