Monument record 0026700000 - SNELSHALL PRIORY, WHADDON

Dimensions - Length 268m, Width 210m.
Plan Form - Rectangular.
SAM. Site of Snelshall Priory, first recorded 1147 (B5), dissolved 1535 (B8).
Now a set of earthworks (B12).
1:2500 plan of site filed, also a revised OS plan in CASS file (B10).
The site is in Whaddon Park (B3).
NGR to centre of site (B7).
Whaddon Chase map shows the grounds to cover the same area as the modern day earthworks (B15).
1997 Aps show the site to have extended to the north (B14).
Site visit by S Kidd 2001, details of extra-SAM earthworks (see 0267:01 for detail) (B17).
Earthworks to southwest of main priory complex noted and plotted as cropmarks. A pair of parallel linear features (X5) running roughly north from the western enclosure ditch of the priory is interpreted as a trackway marked on the 1599 Salden Estate map and apparently perpetuated as boundaries shown on a map of 1800 (B19).
Evidence for trackway X5 cited above is not convincing. The 1975 NMR AP referenced as evidence does not show a cropmark or soilmark feature but contemporary vehical tracks, and other Aps show continued use as a farm access track; the Salden Estate merely shows a boundary, not a track; and an AP of 1935 by Major Allen appears to show a former field boundary ditch at this location (B20).
Magnetic susceptibility survey carried out by Bartlett-Clark Consultancy in 2004 in fields immediately to the west and northwest of Snelshall Priory showed higher magnetic anomalies close to earthworks but do not suggest the presence of extensive or substantial settlement remains associated with the surviving earthworks (B18).

The remains of a medieval moated priory complex are visible on historic aerial photographs and remote sensing data as earthworks and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304). Located to the east of Whaddon village and centred at SP 81619 34479, the earthwork remains of Snelshall Priory are defined by a subrectangular boundary ditch that varies between 5 and 8 metres wide, creating an internal enclosure that extends 275 metres NW-SE and 235 metres NE-SW at its widest points. The NW facing and SW facing sides of the boundary ditch are slightly convex. Within the enclosure, a slightly curving ditch bisects the area SW-NE, creating an enclosure at the SE facing end about 85 x 233 metres, being about one third of the total area in size. Within this area, a small block of ridge and furrow cultivation earthworks about 51 x 81 metres is visible in the south corner. Another block of ridge and furrow cultivation is visible within the priory enclosure flanking the NE facing side. It seems likely that these are associated with post-medieval activity of the priory site following its sale in 1620 and a farm was constructed on its site that continued to be occupied until 1830. In addition to the perimeter ditch, throughout the low-lying site is a system of drainage ditches and ponds to regulate and manage water away from the inside of the enclosure (22-24).