NHER 7085 (Monument record) - Medieval wells

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Summary

In 1947 two wells were exposed in a cliff face following erosion. One was medieval and timber framed, the other was lined with flints and bricks. In 1948 the timber lined example was excavated and 13th century pottery sherds were recovered.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TG33SE
Civil Parish	WALCOTT, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK
Former Civil Parish	xHAPPISBURGH, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

1947.
Square timber framed well exposed in cliffs north of Ostend House by erosion.

1948.
Partial excavation.

August 1948.
Complete excavation.
Contained broken 13th century pitchers and a few sherds of glazed ware.
See (S1) (photograph of well before final dig).
See (S2) (photograph of two pots being restored)
See (S3).
Copy of NRC report (S4) in file.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

Also a flint well nearby with handmade brick at 3.6m (12ft deep) and organic material.
E. Rose (NAU).

2015. Dendrochronological Survey.
Dendrochronology assessment of oak timbers from well excavated in 1948. Five samples were found to be suitable for analysis, though each of these had relatively few rings. Two samples cross-matched but unfortunately this sequence couldn't be matched to available reference data from Norfolk or elsewhere.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 11 August 2025.

Associated Sources (10)

--- SNF61134 Article in Serial: Larwood, G. P. 1951. A Medieval Timber-Framed Well at Happisburgh. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXX pp 226-231.
--- SNF49959 Illustration: Finds Illustrations.
--- SNF61129 Photograph: 1948. General view of timber frames and well shaft.
--- SNF87263 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Happisburgh.
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF3572 Newspaper Article: Norfolk News. 1948. [Photograph of well]. 27 August.
<S2> SNF3084 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1949. [Photograph of pitcher being restored]. 2 April.
<S3> SNF2140 Serial: 1949. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 1 No 1 (for 1948).
<S5> SNF103056 Monograph: Tyers, I. 2022. Assemblages from Norfolk: North Elmham Park, Happisburgh, St Anne’s Lane, Norwich, and Bryant’s Wharf, Great Yarmouth. Tree-ring Analysis of Archaeological Oak Samples. Historic England Research Report Series. 8/2022. pp 15 and 33-34.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (1)

WELL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Object Types (2)

POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
WORKED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Find out more...(1)

Happisburgh (Parish Summary)

Record last edited

Aug 11 2025 8:44PM