NHER 8809 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible site of medieval castle, Common Hill, Scoulton

1960.
Two sherds of medieval pottery from moated site west of Abergavenny Farm.
Finds held by NCM.
(NCM card by R. R. Clarke (NCM)).

This site is called the Cobbled Meadow. It is visible on (S1) and was visited by R. R. Clarke (NCM) when visible on the ground. Levelled in 1960.
R. R. Clarke (NCM) on NCM map sheet.

This site is also visible on NAU's aerial photographs taken in July 1976; a large rectangular moat, complex of tracks and boundaries, and to east a double concentric ring ditch. P. Rutledge (NRO) believes this is the castle site and not NHER 8808 (q.v.) and the ring ditch could just be the circular earthwork drawn by Bulwer (see NHER 8808). The present field name is Common Hill.
E. Rose (NAU) 1977.

Nothing here on enclosure map 1806 or tithe map 1840.
E. Rose (NAU) 17 March 1982.

February 2026. HER Enhancement: Forestry Commission Project K.
The cropmarks of a possible medieval moated manor site, likely medieval to post medieval field boundaries, and an undated ring ditch, which may relate to the site of a Bronze Age round barrow or a medieval mill site, are visible on aerial photographs (S2-S3). It has been previously suggested (see above) that the features may have been associated with the site of a medieval castle. Although this is possible, an area of substantial medieval earthworks (NHER 13068) approximately 1.3km to the east would be more likely to be the site of the suggested castle. The cropmarks in the west of the site (centred at approximately TF 9639 0167 may have related to a former medieval manor site. The diameter (approximately 20m) of the ring ditch (centred at approximately TF 9654 0163) would likely be too small for a potential motte. It is likely that the ring ditch is associated with the site of a Bronze Age round barrow or a former medieval mill site. A number of linear ditches are visible across the area on S2-S3 which likely relate to medieval boundaries and medieval to post medieval field boundaries.
J. Powell (Norfolk County Council Environment Service), 16 February 2026