More information : SO 562 895 (FCE). Formal gardens at Holdgate. A block of earthworks immediately S of the modern road has previously been interpreted as part of the medieval settlement at Holdgate (SO 58 NE 7). However, the position and symmetrical rectangular layout of the earthworks suggests instead that they represent the remains of a formal garden, presumably associated with the early phases of Hall Farm. The gardens, which have a SE aspect, essentially comprise well-formed rectangular terraced scarps and a sunken area measuring 40m by 20m. A wedge-shaped close to the E of the E castle bailey (see SO 58 NE 2) may also be part of the same feature; indeed the motte itself bears traces of post-medieval re-modelling which may indicate its use as an ornamental mount.
The above description is summarised from a detailed level 3 RCHME 1:1000 scale survey conducted in October 1986, the products of which are held in the NMR archive. (1)
SO 5626 8958. Holdgate Castle motte and bailey and garden remains at Hall Farm. Scheduled, no 19192. [The formal gardens are evidently associated with the later medieval and early post medieval phases of the castle]. (2) |