Monument record WLN 060 - Earthworks of enclosures and boundaries of probable medieval to post medieval date

February 2015. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty National Mapping Programme.
The earthworks of enclosures and boundaries of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs on Westleton Walks heath (S1-S4). The main component of the site is two conjoined rectangular enclosures, within a wider banked enclosure. The date of these enclosures and banks is likely to be post medieval or perhaps medieval to post medieval, although an earlier date it possible. They potentially relate to stock management or warrening on the edge of the heath.
The LIDAR DTM data clearly indicates that suggest that the majority of these earthworks still survive. Further manipulation of the LIDAR data may reveal a clearer picture of the level of survival, but obviously field investigation is required. Further investigation, management and protection of these earthworks is essential. Aerial photographs from the 1940s (S1) reveal that Second World War trenches were cut alongside and within these enclosures. Second World War training activity on the heath is recorded under WLN 058.
Another area of earthworks have been identified on the heath to the north (WLN 061). It is likely that these fields may be broadly contemporary and potentially originally part of the same phase of features, but have been recorded separately. A relationship with the field boundaries recorded as cropmarks and soilmarks to the immediate east (WLN 075) is also suggested by the mapping and it is likely that at least some of them are contemporary, despite the slight change in orientation and layout.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 28th February 2015.