NHER 43707 (Monument record) - A group of post-medieval surface peat or turf extraction pits

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A group of post-medieval turf ponds and associated earthworks are visible on aerial photographs on the marshes to the immediate south of Hickling Priory (NHER 8384) (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 4188 2459. These shallow cuttings are likely to be from the stripping of surface peat and turf for fuel. Other areas of elongated post-medieval cuttings are visible to the east NHER 43708-9. More extensive medieval peat extraction took place on these marshes to the east, see NHER 35363 for details.

Centred on TG 4198 2460 is an broad and elongated, shallow cut, which has several ‘arms’ coming off that are perpendicular to the main cut, which is 300m long and approximately 25m wide. Two channels or drains lead to the western end. In 1946 the base of this shallow feature is completely encroached by vegetation (S1). To the north of this larger excavation and alongside the drain around the Priory, is a series of earthwork hollows and raised mounds (S1). The largest of which is located at TG 4191 2466 and consists of an oblong hollow, measuring approximately 35m by 20m, surrounded by a slight bank. This appears to join with a similar feature located within the Priory grounds. It is possible that it is part of a fishpond or similar feature.

Another group of slight earthworks are visible at TG 4160 2458, again these consist of elongated and oblong surface cuts. It seems likely that the majority of these shallow scoops, in particular the largest feature, were created during the surface removal of peat or turf. The date of these cuttings is not known as the cutting of surface peat continued into the early twentieth century (S2; p81), although a post-medieval date is most likely given the level of encroachment.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.