NHER 26644 (Monument record) - Possible 19th century sea defence bank

September 2002. Norfolk NMP.
Sea defences in the form of a linear earthwork bank is visible RAF 1946 aerial photographs (S1) and on more recent NLA images (S2-3). It forms a part of a series/network of sea defences/land reclamation in this area (see also NHER 26628, 26638, 26641, 26642, 26643 & 26646). It is around 750m in length and has a width of approximately 12-15m. The bank follows the line of the coast (approximately north-west to south-east) and runs from around NGR. TF6485 3067 to TF6541 3018, where the feature appears to abut the earlier bank 26628. It is marked on the Ordnance Survey base map (S5) and at least part of it is apparent on the 2nd edition OS (S6). The feature is not apparent on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition (S7), but as it appears to have been constructed by the time the Ordnance Survey 2nd edition (S3) has been produced, a mid to late nineteenth century date for its origin can be suggested. It seems likely that this bank was built in conjunction with the sluice and later pumping station to control the outlet of the Ingol River. (There does also appear to be some form of embankment on Faden’s map (S8) running along the length of this stretch of coast, though whether that is just the dunes or an actual bank is not clear.)
There also appears to be a continuation of this bank just to the north (NGR 6482 3070-6479 3081). This was not very clear on most of the photographs. However, it is most visible on the BKS aerial photographs (S4) and there is definitely some indication/suggestion of this on the OS 2nd edition.
The origin and date of these banks are uncertain, but for at least the main stretch a post-medieval (19th century) date seems likely.
H. Clare (NMP), 6 September 2003.

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 3), Context 1005:
10m wide sea bank aligned northeast to southwest.
See assessment report (S9) for further details.
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.421).
J. Allen (NLA), 13 April 2005. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 July 2019.