NHER 42038 (Monument record) - Possible late medieval to post medieval drainage system and trackways, possible wind pump remains.

A NUMBER OF THESE FEATURES WERE ORIGINALLY RECORDED UNDER NHER 13293. THIS SITE HAS SINCE BEEN SPLIT INTO ITS CONSTITUENT PARTS.

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A group of late medieval to post medieval boundaries and drainage channels are visible on aerial photographs, enclosing and draining the land between the Waxham New Cut and Lambridge Covert, Sea Palling (S1 to S6). The site is centred on TG 4298 2567. The site consists of two sets of major enclosing boundaries or channels, both of which have curvilinear elements. The eastern curvilinear boundary is joined by several sets of double-ditched linear features, interpreted as droves through fields towards the fen. These more rectilinear boundaries are likely to be entirely post medieval in origin. However, it is possible that some elements of this site could have late medieval origins, in particular the more curvilinear boundaries. A small semi-circular earthwork located immediately next to a line of three drainage channels, may be the remains of a former drainage pump or similar structure.

The main component of the site is a major U-shaped curvilinear boundary, centred on TG 4283 2557, define an area of land marked as being distinct from the open unimproved and common fen to the west on Faden’s map of 1797 (S7). The main southern boundaries clearly pre-date the digging of the Waxham Cut (NHER 35366). This navigable channel was dug in the 1820’s and ran from the northern end of Horsey Mere to Lound Bridge to the north (S8). The Cut is clearly visible cutting through these boundaries on the undated Waxham Enclosure map (S9). This map may have been surveyed between 1820-1840 (after 1820 as Waxham Cut is marked and before the 1840 Tithe map (S10) was surveyed. However it is worth noting that the western line of the ‘New Cut’ diverts from its actual course, heading south rather than north towards Lound Bridge. This could suggest that this map shows the planned route of the Cut and therefore may pre-date the actual construction, dating it to somewhere in-between 1797 and 1820. In the 1840 Waxham Tithe map (S10) the land has obviously been re-organised into more regular and rectilinear enclosed area. This would have occurred in response to either Enclosure and/or the digging of the New Cut through the existing fens.

The main area of early enclosed land (indicated on Faden) is defined by a curvilinear drainage channel that runs from the southern extent of Lambridge Covert (NHER 13293) at TG 4298 2588 all along the 0m OD contour in an rounded ‘U-shape’ to TG 4295 2562. The channel appears to have several subsidiary drains that feed into it along its length, although it is possible that these are later additions or modifications. Within the area defined by this main drain there are several linear and rectilinear cropmarks, which may be further contemporary drainage features. However as this is not certain and they may have an earlier archaeological origin they have been recorded separately under NHER 42056.

To the south of this, cut by the Waxham New Cut, is a further channel, which is quite curvilinear in shape. This joins with straighter and possibly later drain. The line of which may be continued to the east on the northern side of the Waxham New Cut by a further curvilinear channel, which appears to head in the direction of the Lambridge Mill dyke (NHER 8374). There is no drainage mill depicted on Faden (1797) (S7), but by the 1826 Bryant map (S11) it has been constructed and the Waxham New Cut is shown. It is possible that the mill channel pre-dates the Cut, even if the pump is broadly contemporary.

The undated Waxham Enclosure map (S9) indicates that the western end of this curvilinear channel continued to the north, again cut by the New Cut, originally linking with the drain running from TG 4249 2575 to TG 4252 2561. This channel meets with another irregular and curvilinear channel, which is again marked on the Enclosure map. Joining this is a double ditched linear which curves around and appears to join the line of the earlier, more irregular channel. On the 1839 Tithe map (S12) this boundary can be seen to have been part of the gently curving boundary which also marked the parish boundary between Sea Palling and Waxham.

These curvilinear boundaries may be quite early in the pattern of enclosure and drainage in this area. As stated they appear to be present in some form by Faden’s survey in the late 1790’s (S7), it is possible that they may represent late medieval enclosure. Within the Broads landscape generally the curvilinear boundaries tend to be classified as anciently enclosed land, as opposed to the more regular and rectilinear enclosure of the 17th - 20th century. On the Halvergate marshes the earliest drains are irregular and curvilinear dykes adapted from the natural drainage patterns in the C11th-12th (S9). However curvilinear boundaries and dykes are uncommon in this upper valley landscape. Although the NMP and HLC mapping has identified earlier curvilinear boundaries (NHER 27281) within the Thurne estuary to the south at TG 4421 2056. This site is located within the former Thurne estuary and it is possible that these boundaries also originate from earlier adaptation of natural creeks formed during the drying out of the northern estuary, similar to those on Halvergate.

The eastern section of the site consists of a curvilinear pair of drains which sweep around from the west of the angular channel at TG 4303 2567 and head towards the Waxham New Cut and the Lam Bridge. The channels are 16m apart to the west, but curve outwards to almost 30m apart as they approach the Lam Bridge. A third, roughly parallel, ditch or drain is present along part of the course. These drainage channels appear to correlate with a major channel marked on the undated Waxham Enclosure map (S9, which continues to the northeast and a section of which is visible as earthworks in 1943 (S1). The line of three parallel drains run from TG 4254 2606 to TG 4274 2584. To the immediate west of the southern channel is a semi-circular earthwork located at TG 4254 2604 (S1). This consists of a central oblong pit, measuring approximately 2m by 4m. Surrounding this on three sides is an embankment, around the outside of which is possible narrow ditch. It is possible that this structure is the remains of a small, wooden trestle or post mill constructed to drain the Great Moss Fen.

Running towards the eastern end of this multiple ditched channel are three, possibly four, sets of double ditched linear features. Two of these are perpendicular to the main channel. The most regular and clearly defined of these runs from TG 4320 2557 to TG 4345 2582 (the course is interrupted by the modern track). The ditches are between 6-10m apart. The line of this may be continued 100m to the northeast. To the west of this is another, less regular, double ditched linear, running from TG 4320 2581 to TG 4311 2573. This appears to join onto another boundary or drain. Again the line of this feature may be visible to the northeast (190m away). In-between the two is another possible double ditched linear, ditches 8m apart. To the east of the site is another possible multiple-ditched feature, running from TG 4344 2563 to TG 4321 2550. This appears to consist of three ditches, two of which are approximately 7m apart, whilst the third linear is between 13-20m to the east. These double ditched linear features are likely to represent trackways or droveways down towards the lower ground and fen, possibly related to the movement of stock. Running in-between are several sub-dividing linears, some of which also consist of parallel ditches. These are presumably field boundaries.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.