NHER 27141 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of World War Two rifle range

October 2002. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a post-medieval sea defence bank and drainage ditches are visible on aerial photographs on the Stiffkey saltmarsh (S1-S2). These features are all likely to be part of the post-medieval embankment drainage of the saltmarsh. The embankment may have in part also been related to stock enclosure on the saltmarsh.
An L-shaped bank is visible as narrow earthwork on saltmarsh, running from TF 9658 4396 to TF 9657 4404 for 85m then east and continuing for another 40m to TF 9661 4404. The earthwork is approximately 3m wide and is appears to be flanked by a narrow ditch to its western side. Two small stretches of drainage ditch are also visible, one running from TF 9650 4296 to TF 9653 4396 and from TF 9656 4412 to TF 9658 4412.
S. Massey (NMP), 1 November 2002.

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 10), Context 961:
A curving L-shaped bank was found between TF 96585 439564 to TF 96612 44055. It measured between 1.1m and 1.5m wide and up to 0.2m tall. On its northern edge six metal stanchions were positioned northeast to southwest. They may have been channel revetments, but it is more likely that they were used during shellfish farming.
See assessment report (S3) 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.

July 2023. Correspondence [1].
It has been suggested that these earthworks actually formed part of a former World War Two rifle range for the Stiffkey Army camp (NHER 12747). The earthworks once accommodated four metal stations for fastening targets (although note there were 6 noted above). The L-shape and the presence of the metal stanchions could support this suggestion.
H. Hamilton (HES), 1 August 2023.