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Albrighton Moat

Albrighton Moat is a Scheduled Monument in the village of Donington, Shropshire. The moat surrounds a relatively small platform of earth (900 square meters), which supported a manor house sometime in the 13th-14th century, now demolished.

A geophysical survey in 1990 revealed the remains of the main building and porch, facing towards a causeway that would have linked the buildings to the rest of the site. Excavations also undertaken at that time suggest the moat was filled in, partially by natural silting, and partly by modern deposits of brick rubble and refuse. Field drains had also been cut, to drain the moat into the stream which runs along the eastern edge of the site.

William Hardwicke, the Registrar of Bridgnorth in 1801, believed this to be the site of the original house of the Lords of Donington, which was described as having been 'singularly seated in the center of a pasture field called Moat Bank; north east of Donington church, a quarter of a mile away, and adjoining to the east a small stream, which separates it from the sub-feudal manor of Humphryston’. This accurately describes the position of Albrighton Moat, in relation to the medieval church of St Cuthbert at Donington, and being only 300m from the Grade II listed Humphreston Hall.

Modern Development

Around 1988, plans began to excavate the moat completely, and create an angling facility for disabled people. This was greatly helped by the BBC show Challenge Anneka, which helped fill the moat with water and stock the fish. The project was featured in series 4, episode 4, first aired October 1992. A 25 year celebration was held at the center in 2017, with Anneka Rice attending again.

Now known as the Albrighton Trust Moat and Gardens, the site provides supported angling, woodworking and gardening experiences for young people with disabilities. The gardens are open to the public on weekdays, and regular school visits and experience days make it an important amenity for children in the local area.