Scheduled Ancient Monument: MOATED SITE AT MOAT FARM, 230M NORTH EAST OF ST PETER'S CHURCH (33299)

The monument includes a medieval moated site at Moat Farm, approximately 230m to the north east of Milden parish church. The moated site is thought to represent the manor of Bures or Bowers which belonged to the de Bures family in the beginning of the 14th century. Robert de Bures had free warren here in 1314. By 1365 the manor was held by Sir Grey de Sancto Claro, and it subsequently passed to the Spring family in the late 15th century. By 1575 the manor was known by the name of Bowers, and by the beginning of the 20th century was known as Bowery Farm. The moated site includes a roughly rectangular island, measuring 50m east-west by up to 30m north-south, raised about 0.5m above the surrounding ground surface. This is contained on all four sides by a water-filled moat measuring an average of 6m across, which has been enlarged externally at the north east corner to form a small pond-like feature. The causeway across the south arm of the moat is known to have been in use before 1839 and is believed to represent the original access to the island, whilst the wooden footbridge which crosses the south arm of the moat is modern. The centre of the island is occupied by Moat Farm, a timber-framed Listed Building Grade II. The house dates from the 16th century and is believed to represent a successor to an earlier house on the island. The farmhouse, the footbridge, the greenhouse, the septic tank, all walls, steps, spotlights, together with the surface of the patio, driveway and other modern made surfaces are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.