More information : [SP 4977 9629] POTTERS MARSTON HALL [GT]
[centred SP 4980 9640] MOAT [G.T.] (1)
Potters Manston Hall is a large, two-storied building with
garrets in the roof.
It was formerly partly surrounded by a moat, portions of
which still exist. Within the area still stand the small parish
church and a medieval dovecote.
The house has been successively altered and added to. Part of
the house, of granite with ashlar quoins, is of late 15th century
date. Th remainder of the building is of brick - of 16th to
18th century date. (2)
The dovehouse, of granite is no doubt medieval, and is mentioned
as standing in 1616. (a)
Potters Manston Hall and farm are built on the foundations of
the moated manor, including enormous cellars. (3)
A moat has here embraced both hall and church. On the north
side is a long moat 30 ft. wide, with an outer bank 4 ft. high; a
ditch 80 ft. long corrects this with another portion of the
moat on the east, where it is 15 ft. wide and 3ft. deep, with
an outer bank. (2-4)
Potters Manston Hall is still so named and is occupied as a
prive residence.
For its description and present appearance see T.2 and GP's
53/126/8 and 53/125/4.
The western end of the house is of stone, the remainder of
later brickwork [see plan below:-
3 (cont.) Diagrammatic material omitted. (5)
There is a square dovecote situated at SP 4973 9637 which, being
of stone, would appear to be contemporary with the earlier
part of the house i.e. of 15/16th century date.
See GP/53/125/5.
The extent of the remains of the surrounding moat can be seen
in the plan. (5)
The moat has been re-surveyed. Its northern arm has been
largely obliterated since Work's survey in 1953. (6)
The eastern arm of the moat has now been completely destroyed.
25' survey revised. (7)
The moat has almost been completely infilled. A surviving photograph shows it to have still been extant in 1922 but subsequent research suggests that it was probably infilled some time before 1954. The southern bank of the northern arm is visible only as a slight scarp on the northern edge of the present farmyard. The eastern arm is barely discernable as a shallow linear depression. A small sub-circular pond at the north western corner of the moat represents the only water-filled section remaining. However, this has recently been dredged which will in itself have caused significant damage to archaeological deposits in this area. Infilling and re-modelling is considered to have significantly reduced the survival of any organic remains relating to the economy and use of the site. It is therefore recommended that scheduling is not appropriate for the moat at the present time. (8)
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