NHER 50876 (Monument record) - Earthworks of a possible droveway, stock enclosure and drainage ditches of probable medieval date

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks and vegetation marks of a trackway, enclosure and drainage ditches of unknown, but probable medieval to post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs on south side of the River Wensum to the west of Castle Farm, Swanton Morley (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 0324 1791.

The site consists of a series of drainage ditches, all of probable medieval to post medieval date. On the southern side of the valley is a possible embanked enclosed area, possibly part of a stock enclosure. Running southeast to northwest across the valley floor is a linear feature defined by banks, approximately 7m apart, and with a central hollow in places. This runs towards the line of a post medieval drainage ditch and it is therefore possible that it is also a drainage channel. However the earthworks have the appearance of it having been a trackway or droveway.

A 12m wide droveway bounded by banks and hedges has been recorded to still the north, running south from Park Farm towards the River Wensum (See NHER 21076 for details). This droveway leads to the site of a possible Roman bridge and river crossing (NHER 2993). It is possible that these earthworks recorded to the south of the river represent the remains of the remains of a similar droveway. At present a medieval date must be assumed, however the former presence of the Roman bridge in-between the two routes could indicate an earlier date.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 March 2008.