Little Hadham, North of Hadham Hall

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameLittle Hadham, North of Hadham Hall
Alternative Names
Historic CountryHertfordshire
Modern AuthorityHertfordshire
1974 AuthorityHertfordshire
Civil ParishLittle Hadham

Circular moated mound c22.25m in diameter overall; mound rising c3.5m above water level. Moat ditch c7m wide with causeway on the SE side. Possible mill mound or ornamental feature. Informal excavation revealed that the original feature was shallow. (Herts HER)

"Moated Tumulus, N of Hadham Hall; condition - fairly good" (RCHME).

Situated on flat terrain, this artificial earthen mound, tree planted, is surrounded by a shallow, largely waterfilled ditch. Measuring c23.0m in overall diameter, the mound has a flat top c 6.5m in diameter and is c.25m in height. The ditch averages c7.0m in width, and has an eathen 'causeway' across it on the SE side.

The shallow moat-like ditch (if contemporary with the mound) was evidently constructed to contain water and is not defensive. The Headmaster of nearby Hadham Hall school, Mr E J Douglas, did an informal excavation of a small area of ditch some years ago. Although no finds were made, the dig proved that the ditch was originally shallow and that little silting had occurred.

The most probable explanation of this feature is that it is a moated mill-mound, or an ornamental landscape feature connected with nearby Hadham Hall (F1 JRL 20-JUN-73). (PastScape)

Moated mound to NE. of house of 1440, rebuilt 1572/8. (Renn)

Gatehouse Comments

Renn does not seem to question this as a castle mound, but it is some way from the church and is orientated to on a central view line from Hadham Hall, suggesting an ornamental feature, something supported by a lack of bailey. Despite the authority of King and Renn this site is considered unlikely by Gatehouse.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTL453231
Latitude51.8880882263184
Longitude0.110490001738071
Eastings545340
Northings223150
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of The Thames Valley and The Chilterns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 43
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 220
  • Renn, D.F., 1971, Medieval Castles in Hertfordshire (Chichester: Phillimore) p. 16
  • RCHME, 1910, An inventory of the historical monuments in Hertfordshire (London: HMSO) p. 146 no. 11 online transcription