Cock Pit And Garden Feature At Moor Hall

The Cock Pit and Garden Feature at Moor Hall is part of a former cock pit or bear pit, believed to date from around 1750, which was later transformed into a sunken garden, likely in the late 19th century. The remains of the cock pit include two sections of red, random rubble sandstone walls that form a circle approximately 20 metres in diameter. These walls vary in height from about 4 metres to 1 metre, following the slope of the ground, and feature a segmental-arched alcove and a pair of buttresses on the north side, which flank later steps.

Access to the circular area is provided from raised ground to the north via a double flight of steps, or from the south through a Classical arch. The steps lead up on either side of a circular pool, with inner flanking walls that meet above the pool, creating a segmental arch overhead. The underside of this arch and the wall at the back of the pool are covered with porous stone, possibly tufa. Above the steps, there is a short covered way constructed of timber framing supported by flanking walls and roofed with tiles, resembling a lychgate.

The southern arch may have been brought in from another location; it is designed as a triumphal arch on both sides, featuring imposts, a simple archivolt, and a keystone, flanked by pairs of rusticated Doric pilasters. Between each pair of pilasters, there are round-arched niches with square windows above, which have transoms shaped like an 'X', along with a cornice and parapet. The interior of the arch is also encrusted with porous stone.