Scheduled Ancient Monument: THE LAYS FISHPONDS, 265M SOUTH EAST OF DENNINGTON HALL (21305)

The monument includes two fishponds and associated earthworks, situated south east of the moated site of Dennington Hall and in a line north-south on a gradual, south-facing slope. The northern pond is water-filled and of reversed `L' shape, approximately 1.5m deep and with overall dimensions of 92m north-south by 65m east-west. To the south of this is an earthen dam approximately 6m in width and 1m - 1.5m in height above prevailing ground level, which separates it from a sub-rectangular pond with maximum dimensions of 63m east-west by 45m north-south. The ponds are fed by a stream which enters the northern end of the long arm of the `L' and were connected by a sluice, the remains of which survive at the western end of the dam. The overflow from the southern pond enters the lower course of the stream through an outlet in the south side. The boundary of an enclosure relating to the ponds is marked by a hedgerow which runs parallel to them on the east side, and this boundary, together with the area measuring approximately 10m wide, between it and the ponds, is included in the scheduling. The modern fencing around the ponds is excluded from the scheduling.