Monument MPM1918 - Former Moat Wall, Gunwharf

A section of the north-western corner of the moat wall to the Portsmouth line of defences observed during a watching brief at Gunwharf Quays in 2002.

A section of the north-western corner of the moat wall to the Portsmouth line of defences was observed during a watching brief at Gunwharf Quays in 2002.

The moat wall was made up of two curving walls, one within the other. The inner wall had been bonded to the outer wall at its northern end. The southern end had been removed by development work but would also have been bonded to the outer wall. The walls had been constructed from dressed facing stone with a rubble core set in lime mortar. The outer wall was founded on terrace gravels. The base of the inner wall was not exposed and therefore the foundations were not observed.

The inner wall was a later addition. It has been interpreted as being constructed in order to widen the road which skirted around the north-west corner of the moat to allow traffic (carts, coaches etc.) to negotiate the turn more easily. The defences were demolished during the 1860s/1870s.

Barge, Melanie, 2002, Canalside Blocks Gunwharf Portsmouth: Report on the Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM519.