Monument record 0046200000 - CHURCH FARM, PITSTONE

Summary

A medieval moated site at Moat Farm at the south eastern end of the village of Pitstone. The moated site includes a 'D'-shaped island measuring a maximum of 142 metres north east-south west and up to 54 metres north west-south east. The island is contained in a seasonally wet moat which measures up to 20 metres wide, and between 2.5 metres and 4 metres in depth. An outer bank, 90 metres long, 12 metres wide, and between 2.5 metres and 4 metres in depth. The moat is thought to mark the original site of Pitstone Manor which in 1086 was owned by Walter Giffard and held by Ralf de Langetot, and which by the 15th century was the capital messuage of the fee once called 'Besevilles'.

Protected Status/Designation

Archaeological Notification Area: Earthworks of Medieval moat at Pitstone Manor (DBC9015)
Scheduled Monument 1016701: MOATED SITE, MOAT FARM (DBC7115)

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Type and Period (1)

MOAT (Medieval to Post-Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1798 AD?)

Description

Dimensions - Length 160m. Width 100m.
Plan Form - SUBCIRCULAR
LARGE STIRRUP-SHAPED MOAT: STRONG RETAINING BANK ON SE SIDE ENCLOSING SEMI-CIRCULAR ISLAND (B3-4).
The broad and deep moat which is supplied by a spring called Cowhill surrounds a house of brick which has been formed out of the remains of an ancient mansion formerly called Pitstone Place. It is now known as Church Farm. According to Lipscomb "a considerable portion of the materials of the building was removed to Aylesbury, and formed the principal apartments of the White Hart Inn which still retains some small remains thereof". (B1-2).
AREA AROUND MOAT CALLED 'THE STANK' ON PRE-INCLOSURE MAPS (B5).
MOAT FED FROM COWHILL SPRING. DEPTH 2-4M, WIDTH 2M LINED WITH CLAY. SURVEY & PHOTOS (B8).
SCHEDULED: SAM 32121 (B9).

(SP 94381518) Moat (B6).
A broad, deep, D-shaped homestead moat at Church Farm measures, overall, 100.0m NW-SE by 160.0m transversely. The moat, now dry, is from 2.0m deep at the SW end to 4.0m deep at the NE end and averages 18.0m in width. A earthen bank along the SE side, up to 12.0m in width and 2.0m in height, is presumed to be a spoil heap, as a retaining bank would not be necessary here, the lowest part of the site being to the SW. Entrance to the enclosed area is by a modern brick bridge across the SE side. Church Farm, a 19th c farmhouse of no interest is deserted, and the grounds and moat are very densely overgrown with bushes and nettles. Published survey (25") revised (B10).

This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 4 June 2025 licensed under the Open Government Licence.

Sources (13)

---SBC17432 Aerial Photograph: 01/08/77. BCM A2/26/24A&25A. SP\943151. Yes.
---SBC29374 Unpublished document: Archaeological Services & Consultancy Ltd. 2009. Post-excavation assessment and updated project design: Moat Farm, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.
<1>SBC26953 Bibliographic reference: George Lipscomb. 1847. The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham (Volume 3). Volume 3. pp431-433.
<2>SBC19727 Bibliographic reference: James Joseph Sheahan. 1862. History and Topography of Buckinghamshire. pp725-726.
<3>SBC20467 Bibliographic reference: Royal Commision on Historical Monuments. 1913. Historical Monuments in Buckinghamshire Volume 2 North. Volume 2. p238.
<4>SBC20462 Bibliographic reference: William Page (ed). 1925. A History of Buckinghamshire (Victoria County History) Volume III. Volume 3. pp406, 409.
<5>SBC2161 Map: BULL EJ; INFO FROM MAPS IN CO RECORDS OFFICE (EG, REF MA/166/2R (1810)).
<6>SBC10608 Map: OS MAP 1960 6IN (1:10560) & OS 1973 1:2500 MAPS.
<7>SBC19041 Bibliographic reference: DoE. 1984. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
<8>SBC4431 Bibliographic reference: DUNGWORTH D 1991 PITSTONE: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARISH SURVEY PP102-105, PL 7:8-10 (COPY IN CAS FILE .
<9>SBC14036 Scheduling record: English Heritage. 1999. SCHEDULING LISTS OF INSPECTORATE OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS.
<10>SBC29356 Verbal communication: A S Phillips. 1971. Field Investigator Comments - F1 ASP 25-JUN-71.
<11>SBC27441 Digital archive: Historic England. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE). Insert 1999.

Location

Grid reference	Centred SP 9438 1518 (180m by 120m)
Civil Parish	PITSTONE, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Event - Survey: (EBC14242)
Event - Intervention: Excavation: MOAT FARM, PITSTONE (Ref: PMF09) (EBC18923)

Record last edited

Mar 20 2026 3:21PM