More information : [SK 7198 1746] Kirby Hall [GT] (Site of) (1)
South of the site of Kirby Bellars Priory [SK 71 NW 7] is Kirby
Park and the earthwork defences of the Old Hall. These consist of a
vallum and fosse 600 ft long at the north end of which is a moat
60ft wide. Other mutilated works may be traced on the north and the
east. To the north-east is an embanked fishpond close to the River
Wreak. The railway runs between the site and the Priory. (2)
Scheduled. (3)
The earthworks include a moat, three partly wet fishponds to the
west and another to the north-east of the moat. There are also two
steep-sided mounds c. 5.0m.high, the southern one with traces of
masonry on top, which are probably gazebo mounds. Traces of
ornamental gardening with C18th brickwork are evident to the north
of the moat. The present house, named Kirby Park, is of C17th date,
much modernised. G.P. AO62/49/4 Kirby Park from the south.
Published survey (25" 1903) revised. (4)
No change. (5)
Garden, moat and five fishponds at Kirby Bellars.The monument is divided into three separate areas:
(SK 7200 1754) The moat is rectangular, measuring 70m x 50m with ditch 15m wide and 2.0m deep containing a stone entrance causeway on the south side.
The formal garden earthworks, laid out in the C17th, comprise
a terraced walkway, 170m long, 2.0m high at the north end decreasing to 1.0m high at the south end, a conical prospect mound at the north-west corner of the moat, flat-topped, 4.0m high and 22m wide at the base narrowing to 6.0m wide at the top. A second, similar prospect mound 200m south-east of the moat is 3.0m - 4.0m high, 18m wide at the base, and 5.0m wide at the top.
A fishpond, 65m long lies to the north-east of the moat, with a flat-topped mound 1.0m high and 18m across to the west of it and irregular earthworks in between. Scheduled (RSM) No. 17032/01.
(SK 7187 1762) The second area to the west of the above comprises three fishponds in a line, the longest being 65m long. Scheduled (RSM) No. 17032/02.
(SK 7217 1789) The third area lies 150m to the north and contains a water-filled pond adjacent to the railway, marking the northern extent of the site. Scheduled (RSM) No. 17032/03.
The moat is known to be of Medieval origin. A C14th document describes the hall and many associated buildings inside and outside the moat. Traces of buildings and roof tiles have been found on the island. The Medieval house was replaced by the present one on a different site in the C17th, at which time the formal gardens were laid out by Sir Erasmus de la Fontaine, who held the site from 1604-72. Scheduled (RSM) No. 17032. (6)
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