NHER 65905 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval remains

October 2017-March 2018. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F70).
This survey of the bulk of the site identified a number of north-north-east to south-south-west and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches. A number of these anomalies correspond with cropmarks visible on aerial images of this location – all of which are part of a group thought to represent former field boundaries of medieval to post-medieval date (NHER 65397). This is consistent with the available cartographic evidence, with several of the features corresponding with former boundaries shown on the Blickling tithe map of 1840 (S1), while others almost certainly represent earlier elements of the same field system.
Although numerous discrete patches of magnetic disturbance were recorded these are all thought to be the result of variations in the underlying geology. Scattered dipolar anomalies were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface – most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 December 2025.

May 2020-January 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F151).
This survey of a small area at the western edge of the site identified a single west-north-west to east-south-east aligned linear anomaly likely to represent an infilled ditch. This feature was almost certainly related to a pair of parallel and perpendicular linear anomalies identified immediately to the east by the earlier survey. These suggest the presence of a series of smaller plots or enclosures adjacent to the road, similar to those extant to the north.
Extensive areas of magnetic disturbance around the margins of this small field were probably caused by ferrous material on or near the surface - most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 December 2025.

October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Areas F150 and F151; Trenches 500-504).
Three of the five trenches excavated at this location were placed to coincided with the linear geophysical anomalies in the north-west corner of the site that appear to demarcate small parcels of land adjacent to Silvergate Lane. These revealed a number of corresponding north-north-east to south-south-west and west -north-west to east-south-east aligned ditches, although unfortunately these produced little in the way of dating evidence. The finds that were recovered all came from the westernmost trench, which revealed a number of additional ditches running parallel to the one identified by the geophysical survey, along with two pits. One of the pits produced a small amount of early medieval pottery and Late Saxon and medieval sherds were recovered from the southern of the ditches – although this feature also contained post-medieval pottery and what appears to be a mix of medieval and post-medieval ceramic building material. This ditch also produced two millstone grit rotary quern fragments and an additional fragment was recovered from an unstratified context.
The two trenches opened to the east revealed two ditches (one of which corresponded with one of the previously identified features) and two possible pits – all of which were undated.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 December 2025.