NHER 66056 (Monument record) - Undated probable enclosure and other features and post-medieval field boundaries

May 2020-January 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Areas F279 and F280).
This survey identified a number of linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches at the western end of the site. The most notable these are a group of north-north-east to south-south-west and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned responses that potentially represent part of a square or rectangular enclosure. The alignment of this possible enclosure is notable different to those of the both the adjacent Holt Road and the field system depicted on 19th-century maps, suggesting it was potentially associated with a much earlier phase of activity. It may have been contemporary with a similarly-aligned probable field boundary ditch recorded in the field to the west (NHER 66057).
A group of adjoining north-north-west to south-south-east and east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomalies correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Hoe Tithe map (S1).
A number of large, amorphous anomalies are thought to represent areas of former quarrying, while numerous smaller discrete anomalies are likely the result of variations in the underlying geology. Area of magnetic disturbance at the margins of the field and 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), 20 May 2026.

October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Areas F279 and F280; Trenches 295-296 and 381).
Two trenches excavated at the western end of the site revealed a number of ditches and two pits. The ditches included a west-north-west to east-south-east aligned feature that coincided with the northern side of the probable enclosure recorded by the preceding geophysical survey. A nearby north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch appeared to continue the line of the enclosure's eastern side and potentially represented a contemporary field boundary. Unfortunately neither ditch produced any finds and two nearby discrete features were also undated.
The only finds recovered came from two north-north-west to south-south-east ditches that both corresponded with former field boundaries depicted on the Hoe Tithe map (S1). These objects included a single post-medieval pottery sherd, several undiagnostic fragments of post-Roman ceramic building material and an iron nail.
The easternmost trench was placed to coincide with one of the larger discrete geophysical anomalies. This revealed a substantial probable quarry pit and two somewhat irregular linear features, none of which produced any dating evidence.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 May 2026.