NHER 43704 (Monument record) - Post medieval drainage ditches to the south of Walnut Farm

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A group of drainage ditches is visible as both cropmarks and soilmarks on aerial photographs, within the Brograve Levels, Sea Palling (S1 to S6). Some of these boundaries are marked on the Waxham Enclosure and Tithe maps, 1820 to 40 (S7 and S8), although the layout visible on the aerial photographs reveals greater complexity and presumably additional divisions that have been removed prior to 1820. They possibly represent a slightly earlier phase of drainage than a group of rectangular drains to the immediate west (NHER 42093). The site is centred on TG 4484 2450.

The main drainage ditch runs from TG 4455 2465 to TG 4488 2432. This is clearly marked on the 1840 Tithe map (S7). The aerial photographs reveal additional rectangular enclosed areas conjoined to this main drain, forming smaller fields and areas of grazing. A small square enclosure adjacent to the main drain at TG 4476 2448 has an elongated cut feature within it and this may possibly be the remains of a drainage pump or similar structure. This is located within the northwestern corner of a rectangular enclosed area of marsh. To the south of this are a series of parallel ditches or drains. The purpose of this elaborate drainage system is not clear, although it seems likely that a particular agricultural activity was taking place within this area that required additional drainage.

To the east of the Waxham Cut, centred on TG 4447 2443, is a double-ditched drainage channel that appears to follow a similar alignment to these drainage ditches. It would appear that this layout of drains in part pre-dates the cutting of the Waxham Cut in the 1820s (NHER 35366). It is also earlier than the post medieval drains in this area (NHER 42093), which are on Waxham Enclosure map (S7). This map is undated, but must have been surveyed between 1820 and 1840, as Waxham Cut is marked and before the 1840 Tithe map was surveyed (S8), which shows these drains in much greater detail.

A possible ring ditch is visible on the oblique aerial photograph (S4) to the east of the site at TG 4512 2438. The feature is not especially clear and it is possible that it is created by a small section of meandering channel. However it is also possible that it is a small post medieval stack stand, measuring approximately 15m in diameter. Similar sized and located circular features have been mapped to the north in Sea Palling and have also been interpreted as stack stands. All were well within the 6 to 18m size range displayed by similar sites mapped in the Wash (S9).
S. Massey (NMP), 31 September 2005.