Kents Moat Birmingham

Kent's Moat survives well as an earthwork feature, despite later development. Although dry, those areas of the moat which have been partially silted are expected to preserve earlier deposits including evidence of its construction and any re-cutting or alterations which occurred during its active history. The site also preserves buried building remains and artefacts which will illuminate the history and use of the moat, including evidence about its occupants and their daily activities. Household remains will provide dating evidence as well an insight into the range of social contacts of the inhabitants of the moat throughout its history.

The monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of the medieval moated site known as Kent's Moat, lying adjacent to Sheldon Heath Road. The moat belonged to the Sheldon family who constructed a house here in the early 13th century and rebuilt it during the 14th century. The house was abandoned in the 15th century, when it passed into the possession of the Earl of Kent. The moated site is orientated south west to north east and measures approximately 98m by 85m externally. Although dry, the moat survives as a partially infilled ditch defining a sub-rectangular island. The silted arms are visible on all four sides and measure approximately 11.5m across and up to 2m deep. An original entrance is preserved as a causeway across the north eastern arm of the moat. The island measures approximately 80m by 60m and is level with the surrounding ground level. A number of low rise flats arranged in three blocks are sited on the island. Partial excavation in 1959 and 1964 in advance of the housing development revealed substantial building remains surviving upon the island, including timber buildings, floor tiles, and roofing materials, as well as domestic artefacts. The low rise flats arranged in three blocks and all fences, modern roads, and surfaces are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.

The mission for Kents Moat is to install a information board by the moat entrance to provide local history and education for the local school children and adults, and to preserve the history of Birmingham. We are working with the local MP to arrange funding through either national lottery or historic England to install a information/history board for the 12th century moat.