Monument record MDO6836 - Medieval Town Ditch, Poole

A tidal ditch cutting off the Poole peninsula was dug sometime after 1433 as part of the town defences of Poole. It was associated with a town gate and drawbridge. The ditch was partly recut in about 1745.

The medieval town of Poole was built on a peninsula and was defended to the north by a tidal ditch which cut off the peninsula, with a stone gate tower and a drawbridge across the ditch. The ditch may have utilised an existing tidal creek. It was probably built in the mid fifteenth century soon after King Henry VI granted a licence to construct a wall in 1433. The ditch may have been recut in about 1745, but this was not completed due to the great cost. <1-2>
Traces of this ditch have been found during excavations at the Station Hotel in 1976 and a watching brief in 1978. The ditch was about 18.5 m wide and over two metres deep. Its full profile and depth were not revealed. Some double-ended timber stakes were found within the dark sandy fill of this ditch, but it was unclear whether they were in situ and formed part of the defences. No trace of any defensive wall or bank was found behind the ditch. <2>

The ditch and town gate are shown on maps dated 1539 and 1634. <3-4>

The remains of the ditch are shown on maps dated 1751 and 1774. <5-6>. Parts of the ditch were still visible in the early 19th century. <7>

The approximate course of the dyke ran on a line from the Station Hotel to the Kingsland Crescent bus-stop. <8>
The course of the dyke ran from about SZ 01249094 to SZ 01419088.

The drawbridge was situated directly before the Town Gate at SZ 01249094. The course of the dyke and the site of the drawbridge are now built over. <9>
SZ 01209091. Excavations at the Station Hotel located the late medieval tidal town ditch. There was no trace of a bank or wall, although timber stakes were excavated, in situ, from the filling of the ditch. <10>

<1> Smith, H P, 1948, History of the Borough and County of the Town of Poole. Origins and Early Development (vol. 1), 191-192 (Monograph). SWX3200.

<2> Horsey, I P, ed K Jarvis, 1992, Excavations in Poole 1973-1983 (Monograph). SWX3766.

<3> 1539, Map of the Dorset Coast (Map). SDO12575.

<3.1> Smith, H P, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments: H P Smith FSA (Verbal communication). SWX3246.

MS Map 1640

<4> 1634, Plan of Poole, co.Dorset
a street index) c.1634. (Map). SDO12478.

<5> Reekes, T & Tucker, W, 1751, Map of Poole (Map). SDO12490.

<6> Hutchins, J, 1774, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 2. 1st edition (Monograph). SDO9551.

<7> Sydenham, J, 1839, The History of the Town and County of Poole, 94 (Monograph). SWX3575.

<8> Smith, 1951, Devonshire Association reports and transactions Vol 2 - 1951 (Article in serial). SWX3601.

<9> Colquhoun, F D, Field Investigators Comments FDC, F1 FDC 07-NOV-51 (Unpublished document). SWX2609.

<10> Horsey, I, 1976, Archaeological Excavations (Monograph). SWX3603.

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 458248 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 7 2022 1:08PM