Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Wenham Castle
Hob Uid: 386512
Location : Suffolk Babergh Wenham Parva
Grid Ref : TM0807639065
Summary : Moated fortified manor house, built circa 1260-90 and altered circa 1569 and in the 19th and 20th centuries. The ground floor of the house is rib-vaulted and the first floor contains a chapel. A wing added to the south west corner, probably in the 16th century, was later demolished. This house represents one of the earliest uses of home made brick in England. Now in use as a private museum.
More information : (TM 08073907) Wenham Castle formerly (NAT) Little Wenham Hall (NR) Moat (NR). (1) Wenham Castle, formerly Little Wenham Hall, is a two-storeyed fortified brick manor house of L-shaped plan, built circa 1270-80 with alterations in the 16th century. A chapel is situated on the first or entrance floor and the ground floor or basement is rib-vaulted, Gde 1. (2-3) Wenham Castle is unoccupied but is in an excellent state of preservation. The moat is waterfilled and in good condition. Published 1:2500 correct. Recently photographed by MPBW (See Illust). (4) Little Wenham Castle. Moated fortified manor house, built circa 1260-90 and altered circa 1569 and in the 19th and 20th centuries. A wing added to the south west corner, probably in the 16th century, was later demolished. This house represents one of the earliest uses of home made brick in England. Now in use as a private museum. Listed Grade I. (5) Listed as a strong house by Cathcart King. (6) Possible post medieval earthworks associated with Wenham Castle can be seen on HE Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken on 26th February 2014. These may be associated with the drive and the surrounding wooded area to the east and south of the castle that are depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition map. A lynchet running east of the castle may mark the edge of the former drive, now grass. This is centred on TM 0810 3905.(7)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 25" 1924
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Building of England Suffolk 1961 43 44 314 illust (N Pevsner)
Page(s) : 43-4 314
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Samford RD Suffolk July 1950 31
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 CFW 10-JAN-69
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : District of Babergh, 30-OCT-1990
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 461
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : 27932_011-031 26-FEB-2014
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : c1260-90
Monument End Date : 1290
Monument Start Date : 1260
Monument Type : Fortified Manor House, Chapel, Moat
Evidence : Extant Building, Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered c1569
Monument End Date : 1579
Monument Start Date : 1559
Monument Type : House, Date Stone
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered C19 - after 1884
Monument End Date : 1899
Monument Start Date : 1885
Monument Type : House
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Altered C20
Monument End Date : 1999
Monument Start Date : 1900
Monument Type : House, Museum
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SF 23
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 278850
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TM 03 NE 4
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1969-01-10
End Date : 1969-01-10

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE
Start Date : 2013-04-01
End Date : 2014-03-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2015-01-01
End Date : 2015-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2016-01-01
End Date : 2016-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Wenham Castle