A cone shaped mound about 35ft high and about 30-40yds diameter at base, surrounded by reedy and slightly marshy land. Drained, I would say in recent times. There are 5 large scotch firs still growing on the mound, 3ft in diameter, but heavy timbers have been cut and the roots of large oaks can be seen at the base of the mound. There is a semicircular moat on the SSW side, damp, with reeds growing in it (20yds wide). This encloses a bailey on which there is an old yew plantation. No signs of stone foundations. Appears to be a Norman castle earthwork with one D shaped bailey used as a decoy at a later date and now drained. It was used as a decoy in recent times. It was then the property of the Duke of Newcastle. Within a mile is a ruined chapel with Norman traces in the stonework (M 4453). The site of Haughton Hall (M 4451) lies within 1/2 a mile of the chapel and 3/4 of a mile of this site. (1)
Site completely covered in dense tree and wetland foliage with waterlogged soils. No site management of this area. It is impossible to measure or assess the motte. Ditches clearly visible in the dense undergrowth appear to conform to the above description. Adjacent landowners have little knowledge of the present owners but would dearly like to drain area or use it to water their crops. (2)
An unusually massive motte for Notts, approx 30m diameter at base, 10m high and 10m diameter on top. Constructed of sand and gravel which is being eroded in places. The bailey has been reconstucted as part of the duck decoy in the late C17 and the entire plan is not now easy to see. It may be that the later alterations have marked or added features such as the low, flat topped mound in the SE corner of the site which at first sight seemed to be a low motte. The ditch which defines the W slope of this feature peters out to nothing and is probably secondary. The illustrations from Throsby edition of Thoroton (reproduced in TTS) give an interesting inspection of the site which is very difficult to understand because of the excessive undergrowth. Since the decoy and the motte and bailey are inextricable perhaps the whole area of the decoy should be scheduled. (3)
See M 8712 - decoy, M 4451 - Hall, M 4453 - chapel, L 6508 - xref

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

View, Knyff and Kip, Maps

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

DNR 2429/16

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

CUCAP RC8-GV106

<1> DOE, AM7 - undated, no author (Unpublished document). SNT52.

<2> Hart CR, 1984, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT754.

<3> Samuels JR, 1986, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT1231.

<4> Knyff & Kip, 1707-8, View of Haughton (Illustration). SNT1553.