NHER 27221 (Monument record) - Post medieval road

January 2003. Norfolk NMP.
There is a linear feature visible as a light coloured parchmark running from TF 5974 2007 to TF 6014 2006 (S1), for a total recorded length of 400m. The feature has an approximate width of 10m. This feature is almost certainly depicted as a road or track on Faden’s Map in 1797 (S2), running from the southern edge of Clenchwarton to West Lynn. The road is obviously in use at the end of the 18th century but may be considerably earlier in date, and have a medieval origin. The road is still in use in about 1820 (S3) but appears to have been totally abandoned by about 1900 (S4).
To the immediate north of the road is an apparent rectilinear parched area with its longs axis aligned in an east to west direction (TF 5970 2009 to TF 5988 2007), running parallel with the road. The feature has a length of 180m and width of 30m. There are traces of a narrow ditch on the northern and southern side of the feature. To the south there is a further length of narrow bank (TF 5970 2008 to TF 5980 2007) and a longer section of narrow ditch (TF 5971 2008 to TF 5988 2006). These may all be elements of a drain and land boundary still visible further to the west. The larger feature is more difficult to interpret. It certainly appears to represent a bounded area of compacted soil or sub surface material, but appears too large to be road, or even a bank or earthwork. It may represent a park feature or an area that was bounded and used for a different purpose or agricultural regime to the surrounding land. It may simply be natural.
M. Brennand (NMP), 24 January 2003.