Steeple Marsh (EHER 48447)

A small area of unimproved grazing marsh. Sea walls survive on three sides of the area and internally a range of sinuous creels are present as well as a number of more substantial drainage ditches There are no known archaeological deposits, although there are cropmarks of a possible enclosure in the adjoining field with the medieval Cluniac priory of Stanesgate Abbey sited to the north of these.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marsh does not appear to have been reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. It is however enclosed by the time of the 1st edition OS map <2>, the sea-wall relating to this survives, although has been altered. Stansgate Road forms the eastern boundary to the site, linking the marsh to Stansgate Abbey. The aerial photographic evidence suggests that the marshland/dryland interface was located within the site area, with the road some metres inland. Internally a range of sinuous creels are present as are a number of more substantial drainage ditches (also sinuous in form). A number of drains are present. Extensive pre reclamation drainage creeks are visible. There are no known archaeological deposits from the site itself. However the field to the immediate north. There are no known archaeological deposits, although there are cropmarks of linear features and a possible enclosure in the adjoining field to the north. These may have been associated with the adjacent medieval Cluniac priory of Stanesgate Abbey. Character of vegetation: High quality grazing marsh. Large amounts of Ranunculus baudotii Brackish water-crowfoot and Duckweed Lemna spp. in creeks. Vegetation in mosaic pattern, with Meadow grass Poa spp. and Velvet Bent Agrostis tenuis frequent. Scattered Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, Hard rush Juncus inflexus, Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, Buck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopus, Autumn hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis and Yarrow Achillea millefolium. Tussocks of Cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata and Couch grasses Elymus spp. Threats: Biodiversity – Threatened by lack of traditional management and agricultural run-off. Threatened by Managed Realignment proposed for 2055. See <3>.