NHER 49194 (Monument record) - Earthworks of medieval to post medieval date

November 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A series of earthworks of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Hall farm, Belton with Browston (S1-S2). It is likely that the majority of these features relate to former boundaries and drainage ditches, although some of the platforms may relate to former structures. It is possible that some of the earthworks are associated with Hall Farm to south. The site is centred on TG 4841 0236. A number of the larger earthwork components of this site are still visible as earthworks in 1970, although the majority of these appear to be those that relate to former drainage.

Some of these earthworks correspond in part to boundaries and features marked on the 1838 Belton Tithe map (S3), however a number of them clearly pre-date this phase of enclosure, in particular the irregular drainage channel running from TG 4840 0237 to TG 4846 0229. A number of the boundaries that form rectangular enclosed areas, such as at TG 4826 0241, appear to run down towards a main drainage channel running along the base of this shallow valley. It is therefore likely that these land divisions also acted as drainage channels. A number of linear embankments are also visible, in particular at TG 4848 0236, where this defines the edge of a sunken area, which may have previously been water filled or at least susceptible to flooding. At TG 4854 0231 is a small square raised area, 6m across, which is surrounded by ditched boundaries. It is possible that this formed a building platform for a small structure. A number of low and fragmentary linear earthworks are visible within this eastern part of the site and these are likely to be the remains of former field boundaries and drainage ditches.
S. Massey (NMP), 07 November 2006.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S4) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.