NHER 38901 (Monument record) - Possible trackway of post medieval date

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Summary

A possible trackway, probably of post medieval date but perhaps with earlier origins, is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs taken in 1946. Only a short length of the postulated track is visible, but it appears to lead from the corner of the field where it meets the road that bounds it to the east. This point was largely occupied by a pond when the photograph was taken. From here it leads down into an area of low lying, heavily drained grassland, watered by the upper reaches of Mundesley Beck. The way in which the track fits into the field pattern depicted on 19th century maps suggests that it is of post medieval or even modern date. It might, however, have earlier origins and could even be associated with the possible moated site 415m to its northwest (NHER 38799). The siting of a large pond at its eastern end suggests that it was no longer in use by 1946. Later aerial photographs indicate that it was partially overlain by a modern field boundary by 1963, by which time the earthworks seem to have been levelled.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TG23NE
Civil Parish	NORTHREPPS, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A possible trackway is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs (S1), from TG 2534 3820 to TG 2528 3824. It seems to fit the field pattern depicted on historic maps (S2) suggesting a post medieval date, but the fact that its eastern end meets a pond (an enlarged version of the pond depicted on S2) suggests that it had fallen out of use by 1946. The possibility that it is in fact a substantial drainage feature cannot be ruled out, but its orientation at an obtuse angle to the slope suggests that it is more likely to be a trackway. Another possibility is that it served both functions. Its west end appears to have been cut by a narrow drain as it is not visible beyond this point.

The trackway appears to have been cut into the slope in which it lies. Its western side, mapped as a ditch, is essentially a cut into the north-facing slope with a ditch or rut at its base. A low bank forms the centre of the trackway, with a second, narrower ditch or rut on its far side. In all it measures almost 13m wide and is visible for a length of 90m.
(S1 to S2)
S. Tremlett (NMP), 21 October 2004.

Associated Sources (2)

<S1> SNF54411 Vertical Aerial Photograph: RAF. 1946. RAF 106G/UK/1606 2140-1 27-JUN-1946 (NMR).
<S2> SNF54601 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-7. Ordnance Survey second edition 25" (1902-7) Sheet XIX. 4.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (4)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

Find out more...(1)

Northrepps (Parish Summary)

Record last edited

Mar 5 2021 10:18AM