Listed Building: MOAT HOUSE (279948)

RINGSHALL WATTISHAM ROAD TM 05 SW 5/173 Moat House - II Former farmhouse. Circa 1400, with alterations of mid C16 and early C17. 2 storeys. Timber-framed and plastered. Thatched roofs: a cross-wing to left and a lean-to right. An early C17 axial chimney of red brick has a central pilaster shaft. Mid C20 small-pane casements, and boarded entrance door at side. The central 2-bay open hall has good features of early C15: heavy close- studding, with minimal tension bracing. A blocked doorway with 2-centred head leading to the parlour (the latter was apparently demolished and rebuilt as a leanto in C18 or c19). Fine open crownpost truss: the slightly-cambered tie- beam is moulded with double roll and hollow chamfer; one of a pair of arch- braces of 2-centred curvature (mainly concealed, the second is missing); large octagonal crownpost with moulded capital and base, and thick 4-way braces. Circa 1550, an upper floor was inserted in the hall with beams and joists well- moulded with a sunk hollow chamfer; and a wide lintelled fireplace was positioned in the cross-entry. The cross-wing may be original, but remodelled in c17 to provide a parlour with brick arched fireplace, and again in mid C20. Associated partial medieval moat. Listing NGR: TM0182552240