NHER 52021 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible post medieval garden features

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a series of possible post medieval garden features associated with Keswick Old Hall (NHER 9761) are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). The earliest part of the hall dates to the early 1600s, see record for details. The site is centred on TG 2080 0466. The earthworks consist of a broad bank, 3m across, and a parallel ditch. These may relate to an earlier entrance or approach to the hall. At TG 2079 0466 is a small embanked square enclosure, approximately 9m across. The bank is 1.5m wide and is continuous, apart from a causeway at the northwestern corner. A narrow internal ditch is visible. It is possible that this relates to the location of a former garden structure associated with the hall, although the size is quite large. An alternative explanation would be that the earthworks enclosed an area of formal garden planting. A pair of similarly sized square embanked enclosures have been identified on the aerial photographs at Stoke Holy Cross (NHER 52022). These have been interpreted as having a probable industrial function, see record for details.

In 1947 there is evidence on the aerial photographs of some landscaping or similar activity taking place and the earthworks of the square enclosure look entirely different (S2), perhaps suggesting that the earthworks are in the process of being levelled. In 1947 to the north of this square feature a possible circular ditched feature, 8m in diameter, with a possible intermittent internal bank, may be visible on the aerial photographs (S2). No sign of this possible circular feature was visible in 1946 and therefore it was not mapped, due to the possibility that it was a consequence of the recent activity at the site.

To the immediate west of these earthworks (outside of the extent of this monument polygon) are two large ponds, one circular pond at TG 2076 0468 and the other a vast rectangular one, centred on TG 2078 0473. These are depicted on the 1847 Keswick Tithe map (S3), and have therefore not been mapped. The antiquity of these ponds are not certain, although it is probable that they also relate to the post medieval gardens associated with the hall. It is possible that these were fishponds, although it is feasible that they have some recreational function.
S. Horlock (NMP), 24 March 2009.