NHER 42382 (Monument record) - Possibly medieval to post medieval drains at Winterton Holmes

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of ditches is visible as earthworks, vegetation marks, cropmarks and soilmarks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S4), centred at TG 4812 2134. The main element of the site is a sinuous ditch visible as a cropmark and soilmark, in two segments, between TG 4797 2148 and TG 4815 2128. Parts of this appear man-made, suggesting that it was used as a drain, but its sinuous outline and ‘braided’ character indicate that it probably originated as a natural channel. Adapted natural channels are typical of early drainage works, as outlined by Williamson (S5), and may date back to the medieval period. Two narrower drains, one of which may be a continuation of the sinuous ditch, are visible as earthworks and vegetation marks to its southeast. These are undated but their general appearance has more in common with post medieval or even modern drains. The group as a whole may be a further part of the extensive medieval to post medieval drainage system visible immediately to the north (NHER 42360). Its relationship with the rather dubious archaeological features immediately to its west (NHER 42385) is not known.

The abrupt division of the north end of the sinuous ditch into two separate ditches is a result of only that part of the ditch being visible on oblique aerial photographs taken in 1976 (S4); no division is visible on the other aerial photographs.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 13 January 2006.