NHER 38925 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Undated earthwork mound

November 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A circular earthwork mound of unknown date and origin is visible on aerial photographs taken during World War Two, to the north of the old Danish Pavilion (S1-3). This site is now under houses on Beach Close, Overstrand. The site is centred on TG 2454 4103. The mound appears to be incorporated into military activity, as evidenced by a slit trench to the immediate south, although it is not clear whether the mound is World War Two in origin also. It may be a covered or camouflaged coastal defensive site. The origin of the mound is unknown, several possible interpretations are discussed, ranging from a Bronze Age round barrow, a post medieval garden feature or windmill mound. Although it is most likely that the mound itself is actually World War Two in date and construction.

The mound is quite low and 11.5m in diameter and is covered in quite rough vegetation (S2). This is surrounded by a slight ditch and/or a well-worn path in the vegetation. In 1940 and 1942 this feature is linked to the main access road to the north (S1, S3). Although not visibly in 1941 (S2) suggesting that it is caused by periodic activity on the site. In 1942 a zigzag slit trench has been dug to the immediate south of the mound (S3). Also at this time a 3-4m wide area of flattened vegetation surrounds the central mound. In April 1946 the mound has a quite worn and parched area surrounding the mound (S4). There is also is a narrow rectangular feature, with no obvious height in the approximately location of the slit trench, although it is possible that this is just a short section of the trench still exposed on the surface. It has gone by later in 1946 (S5).

It is obvious that this mound has been incorporated into World War Two activity, but it is not clear whether the mound itself also dates to this period. The mound does not look particular fresh or recently created in 1940-1, although it is possible that it has been covered or camouflaged in blend into the background if it was a military site. If the mound is earlier then a there are several possibilities, the first being An unrecorded Bronze Age round barrow, although this does not seem particularly likely given that it survived in a prominent location until possibly as late as 1953 (S6). The surrounding land use is not also particularly conducive to the survival of earthworks, due to the heavy development of this coastal strip between Overstrand and Cromer for recreational purposes. The mound could have been a garden feature, although it does not appear to be related to the Pleasance gardens to the east (NHER 6477) or Overstrand Hall to the west (NHER 6478). A further possibility is that it is a windmill mound, although there is no map evidence to indicate a mill at this location. It would also be quite small for a mill mound.
(S1-6)
S. Massey (NMP), 02 November 2004.