Okeover; The Hallsteads

Has been described as a Questionable Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameOkeover; The Hallsteads
Alternative Names
Historic CountryStaffordshire
Modern AuthorityStaffordshire
1974 AuthorityStaffordshire
Civil ParishOkeover

The earthwork remains of a moated site comprising of a rectangular platform bounded on the north and east sides by a natural stream gully and on the west and south by a rock-cut ditch. (Staffordshire HER)

This homestead moat is situated at the confluence of two steams, one making a right-angled turn before joining the other. The angle of the stream, a deep gully, forms the NE and SE arms. The NW and SW arms now dry are artificially constructed and average 19.0m wide and 2.5m deep, a shallow depression in the centre of the outer bank of the NW arm may indicate the site of the former drawbridge. Under afforestation. Fair condition. No evidence of a building was seen. (PastScape ref. Field Investigators Comments F1 JR 10-DEC-57)

Gatehouse Comments

Traditionally Hallsteads entrenchment formerly seat of Cockain family. In Palliser's list as a doubtful castle site castle site. Is isolated from settlement and not an obvious manorial centre. There does not seem to be any good reason to believe the medieval manor house would not be next to the church, where Okeover Hall stands, although this is the seat of the Okeover family since the time of William Rufus. A submanor house later incorporated into Okeover Hall park? A park lodge? Part of some more extensive industrial water system?

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK153474
Latitude53.0239601135254
Longitude-1.7718700170517
Eastings415380
Northings347420
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 1997, Castles and Moated Mansions of Staffordshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 38
  • 1839, History and Topography of Ashbourn and the Valley of the Dove p. 200

Antiquarian

  • Plot, Robert, 1686, The Natural History of Staffordshire p. 449

Journals

  • Hammer, M.E., 1974, 'The Moated Sites of Staffordshire' Staffordshire Archaeology Vol. 3 p. 43
  • Palliser, D.M., 1972, 'Staffordshire Castles: A Provisional List' Staffordshire Archaeology Vol. 1 p. 5-8