NHER 18388 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Undated enclosure

12 September 1978. NAU air photography. Cropmarks (S1).
Rectilinear ditches in the form of possible double enclosure. Apparently 'cut' at eastern end by lane.
The enclosure is situated on the site of a former glasshouse complex/ nursery and there is a possibility that the marks of the possible enclosure are formed by infilled ducts or conduits for heating pipes/services.
However, east corner being 'cut' by road may indicate earlier date pre-nursery/modern.
D. Edwards (NAU) 24 September 1982.

A Roman coin found at this location in 1983 is now recorded as NHER 69566.
P. Watkins (HES), 5 November 2025.

2 July 1996. NLA air photography.
Cropmarks of double ditched rectilinear enclosure still visible.
A sub circular, almost hexagonal, sunken feature is located in the southwest corner of the enclosure.
Location on NHER amended from [1].
M. Brennand (NLA), 27 July 2001.

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible Roman date enclosure are visible on aerial photographs to the immediate west of Browston Lane (S2-S3). This may be associated with a possible Roman road and field system to the immediate south (NHER 43591-2). The southeastern corner of the enclosure appears to be cut by Browston Lane, which would indicate that the modern date suggested for this site is unlikely. The location of Roman finds in association with the site would also indicate an earlier date.

The enclosure follows the same alignment as a possible Roman road (NHER 43591) only 265m to the south. A trackway or pair of parallel boundaries appear to lead from this enclosure towards the road (these have been recorded as part of NHER 43592). Although it must also be noted that the alignment of the enclosure is also consistent with some post medieval boundaries in this area and the trackway could lead to a building to the south of the site. However it is argued in NHER 43592 that earlier and potentially Roman land divisions may influence the post medieval pattern of fields and boundaries in this area.

The enclosure measures 100m by 70m and is defined by a relatively broad ditch, 3-4m wide. A second, outer ditch is visible to the east. The enclosure appears to have a series of internal subdivisions and defined areas, ranging in size from 8m across to 25m. Two possible ring ditches were also identified on the CUCAP aerial photographs (S2). These appear to be slightly elliptical in shape, however it was not possible to rectify this image and therefore these may have been more circular once the distortion had been removed. The rings are 4.5m and 6.5m across. It is possible that these are the remains of small roundhouses or similar structures. In the southwestern corner of the enclosure is a possible large sub-circular pit that is suggested by a positive cropmark. This has a broad ditch to immediate south. It is tempting to interpret this feature as postdating the enclosure, however it does seem to sit within the enclosure quite neatly. The origin of this cropmark is not known.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 October 2006.

May 2018. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed route of Lound to Gorleston Water Pipeline.
This work identified a pair of parallel north-to-south aligned ditches on the opposite side of Browston Lane at TG 5005 0276 that were possibly contemporary with this enclosure. Unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered from these features.
See NHER 63595 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 September 2019.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S4) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.