NHER 38564 (Monument record) - Site of World War One slit trenches

April 2004, Norfolk NMP
A line of three possible World War One slit trenches along the coast at Weybourne, which are visible on aerial photographs in 1940 (S1). The site is centred on TG 1133 4370. Two sections of wide zigzag plan trenches run from TG 1124 4371 to TG 1134 4370. A third trench with a more crenellated design runs from TG 1138 4369 to TG 1141 4369. These are all parallel to the coast. The possible World War One date derives partly from the morphology of the trenches themselves, but also from the fact that in 1940 they appear less recent and fresh from those in the immediate vicinity, which are obviously World War Two in date (S1). The line of these trenches is also starting be eroded along with the surrounding cliff edge, this may indicate that they relate to an earlier phase. However the date of these military trenches is not definite and they may be part of the earliest World War Two defences on the site, associated with Weybourne Camp training activities (NHER 11335). These earthworks are now completely lost to cliff erosion.
(S1)
S. Massey (NMP), 1 April 2004.