NHER 43360 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of World War One practice trenches, Belton Common

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War One practice trenches is visible on aerial photographs on Belton Common (S1-S3). The trenches are visible as both earthworks and cropmarks and are situated within an area of later World War Two practice trenches, NHER 43358. All earthworks have since been plough levelled. Another possible group of World War One trenches (NHER 43363) and a possible World War One firing range (NHER 43362) are located approximately 2km to the southwest within the Waveney Forest.

The trenches are all centred on TG 4747 0204. The majority of the World War One trenches are not clearly visible on the RAF aerial photographs from 1944 (S1). Although a line of crenellated trenches are visible as very slight earthworks and vegetational marks in 1953 (S2) running from TG 4744 0211 to TG 4751 0213. These trenches are cut by a track associated with the World War Two activity on the common. The majority of the other trenches are visible as cropmarks in 1980 (S3), such as those centred on TG 4742 0198 and TG 4757 0197. Another chain of crenellated trenches are visible as faint earthworks and vegetation marks in 1953 (S2) and as cropmarks in 1980 (S3), running from approximately TG 4745 0204 to TG 4759 0205. Some of these trenches appear to have been cut into a boundary bank, since ploughed flat.

Another group of crenellated trenches is centred on TG 4735 0205. Although due to the condition the earthworks of this system in 1944 when compared with the other crenellated trenches, it was decided that these may be World War Two rather than World War One and were therefore recorded under NHER 43358. Although it is possible that any World War One trenches that had survived into the 1940s were re-dug as part of the World War Two training.
S. Massey (NMP), 13 March 2006.

August 2025. Record reviewed as part of the Forestry Commission Project K
A small section of possible World War One practice trench, previously recorded by the NMP survey (see above), may survive as a low earthwork (centred at TG 4756 0196) within an area of woodland. The feature is visible on relatively recent (2021) visualised lidar data (S4). However, it is equally possible that the feature could be modern in origin, possibly relating to drainage or landscaping.
J. Powell (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 27 August 2025