NHER 36871 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of possible post medieval droveway network

1970. Ordnance Survey air photography.
A network of droveways is visible extending for around 3km across the salt marshes north and northeast of Wells-next-the-Sea. The droveways are marked by the parallel side ditches, some of which seem to be being reclaimed by the marsh creeks. Although the droveways on the Warham marshes have a very regular appearance, those on Wells marshes are more irregular, possibly due to greater disruption by the natural creeks (S1). Some of the droveways are recorded on (S2).
See (S3) in file.
A. Miller (Suffolk County Council NMP).
D. Gurney (NLA), 13 February 2002.

October 2002. Norfolk NMP.
Within the network of drove roads, previously mapped by A. Miller for Suffolk County Council (as part of the Norfolk and Suffolk rapid coastal assessment), three bridges can be seen on the Ordnance Survey aerial photographs from 1970 (S1). These are located at NGR TF9325 4386, TF9330 4419, TF9311 4402. The first two bridges are indicated on the 2nd edition OS map (S4), however the third is not shown. A further bridge has also been plotted within this network at NGR TF9488 4433. It would seem likely that the location of bridges at these points would have been vital to the working of the network of drove roads. Other bridges can also be seen on the Ordnance Survey aerial photographs from 1970 (S1). These possibly appear to be linking into the drove road network, for example at NGR TF9307 4380 and TF9293 4367. However, these are still shown on the modern Ordnance Survey map and are at the very edge of the area containing the drove roads (so may not be connected) - as a result they have not been plotted. A further two bridges, however, have been plotted. These are located at TF9296 4413 and TF9311 4423, and are visible on the RAF 1952 aerial photographs (S5). These seem likely to be a part of the complex, although they do not directly link to surviving drove roads
H. Clare (NMP), 11 October 2002.

October 2002. Norfolk NMP.
The site has been extended 1.5km to east to include further examples of these ditched and raised droves and tracks (S6). These are again consistent with those marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map (S2). From the map evidence these can be seen to continue further to the east along the saltmarsh, however, no further features can clearly be seen from the aerial photograph evidence. The clearest of these droveways visible from the air runs for approximately 665m from TF 9500 4449 to TF 9503 4387. This feature is raised significantly and is up to 23.5m at its widest and has ditches to either side. One off these features still in use can be seen from TF 9641 4432 to TF 9647 4394.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2002.

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 10).
Context 876:
A pathway constructed from dumps of crushed brick, tile, mortar, gravel and metal bands on wooden sleepers was recorded between TF 94806 44345 and TF 94836 44289. It was aligned roughly north to south. Although much of the material was probably 20th century in date, the path may have its origins as a droveway of post medieval or earlier date. It is labelled 'Cocklestrand Drove' on modern maps.
Context 911:
A pathway formed from flint cobbles and gravel, along with areas of wooden planking held with metal strips, was recorded between TF 94329 43848 and TF 94303 43960. Much of the surface of the path is recent but earlier elements may have been present. It may be on the line of a historic droveway; it is labelled ‘Garden Drove’ on modern maps.
See assessment report (S7) for further details.
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.421).
J. Allen (NLA), 19 April 2005. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 July 2019.