Potten Island Marsh (EHER 48421)

An area of ‘improved’ grazing marsh located on the south west side of Potton Island, adjacent to Potton Creek and within the MOD ranges.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: This part of Potton Island was reclaimed by the late 16th century, and the whole island had been reclaimed by 1700. Historically a ferry linked the farm at Great Potton to Lambgore Island. A sea wall and borrow dyke survive on the western side of the marsh adjacent to Potton Creek. Potton Hard is marked on the 1st edition OS map <1>, along with the farmstead at Great Potton, which is still in use, and another farmstead at Little Potton, where only the earthworks of a possible moated enclosure (pre-cursor to Little Potton?) are visible. Earthworks of a ‘red hill’ or possible livestock enclosure survive along the northern boundary. The marshland contains areas of fossilised salt marsh, with sinuous creek, and other areas that have been improved with linear drainage ditches and ‘stetch’ cultivation. Today the marsh is located within MOD ranges. A ford stands at the old ferry crossing. The name ‘Potton’ is thought to mean deep creek. See <2>,