Scheduled Ancient Monument: MOAT FARM MOATED SITE, 650M WEST OF GOODWYNS FARM (21312)

The monument includes a moated site situated along the southern boundary of Heveningham parish and above the valley of the River Yox which runs 600m to the south. The moat, which measures between 6m and 8m in width and has a depth of up to 1.5m, surrounds a quadrangular island with maximum dimensions of 95m east-west by 80m north-south, the overall dimensions of the moated site being 110m by 92m. The northern and southern arms of the moat are crossed by opposed causeways, although the southern of the two, giving access to the field beyond, is an addition to the original layout. The northern arm of the moat, to the west of the causeway, is expanded externally to form a pond which survives as a dry hollow up to 1m deep and measuring approximately 23m across. Around the outer edge of this pond, on the west side, are traces of a slight bank. At the north western angle of the moat, and forming a westward extension of it, is a sub-triangular pond measuring approximately 17m by 13m. The moat, which is fed by surface drainage, is silted and is seasonally wet, although it is likely that deposits below the surface remain permanently waterlogged. The island is partly divided by a southward extension of the northern arm of the moat, flanking the east side of the causeway and comprising a ditch approximately 30m long, measuring up to 4m in width and 1.5m in depth. The southern end of the subdivision is marked by a corresponding but much shorter northward spur, approximately 5m in length, on the southern arm. The surface of the island to the east of these features is raised approximately 0.5m above the prevailing ground level and centrally located within this area is an east-west linear pond, measuring approximately 23m by 6m and connected to the eastern arm of the moat by a short channel which probably incorporated a sluice. The house, which is dated in part to the 16th or 17th century and is Listed Grade II, stands just south of the centre of the island and is excluded from the scheduling, together with its associated outbuildings; also excluded are the farm buildings which occupy the north western part of the site, the track which crosses the site, all yard surfaces, and inspection chambers, although the ground beneath all these buildings and features is included.