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Summary

Fishponds, to the west of the remains of Vaudey Abbey, at Grimsthorpe Park, Edenham.

Full description

Two large fishponds, to the west of the remains of Vaudey Abbey. The current structures are thought to be of post-medieval date, and associated with the creation of Grimsthorpe Park. The structures may, however, be modelled on earlier structures in this location, that were connected with activities of the former abbey. It also appears that there were originally three fishponds in this location, although only two are still currently extant. {1}{2}

The easternmost and largest of the ponds is known as the Vaudey Pond. A programme of archaeological monitoring and recording was conducted in July 2016, during repair works to seal a breach in the eastern dam of this pond. The ponds are thought to have possible monastic origins, although their current form is thought to date to the mid 18th century landscaping works undertaken at Grimsthorpe Park. The monitoring did not identify any clear dating evidence for the building of the eastern dam, although noted its use of a clay core as typical of the design adopted by John Grundy for his creation of the Great Pond at Grimsthorpe. A spillway is located in the north-eastern corner of the pond. Constructed of stone to the lower parts and hand-made brick to the upper parts, the spillway was thought to be a slightly later alteration to the dam, although it may have replaced an earlier structure of which no trace now survives. {3}{4}

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1902-06, 25 Inch County Series Map - Second Edition, TF 02 SW (Map). SLI3566.

<2> Shields, S., 2009, Personal Communication (Verbal Communication). SLI12379.

<3> Archaeological Project Services, 2016, The Vaudey Pond, Grimsthorpe, APS site code: GCVP 16 (Report). SLI15678.

<4> Archaeological Project Services, 2016, The Vaudey Pond, Grimsthorpe, LCNCC 2016.42 (Archive). SLI15679.

Monument Types

• FISHPOND? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FISHPOND (Post Medieval to Modern - 1540 AD to 2050 AD)

Associated Events

• The Vaudey Pond, Grimsthorpe

Protected Status

• SHINE

Sources and further reading

Related records

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