Medieval or post-medieval cropmarks of a farmstead, opposite Homefield and Abbot's Grove, Sturmer (EHER 81257)

The cropmarks of a medieval or post medieval farmstead can be seen on aerial photographs. These cropmarks are situated south of Sturmer, opposite Homefield and Abbot's Grove. This site was occupied by a house in the late 19th century but the cropmarks reflect an earlier arrangement of a curving enclosure and associate lane defined by two parallel ditches. This basic layout matches that depicted by the OS in the early 19th century. With the exception of the cropmarks of two ponds, little of this layout is reflected by the later 19th century farmstead at this location. The site had been cleared of buildings by the mid-20th century and the field and farmstead boundaries subsequently removed.

NRHE data transfer: The cropmarks of a medieval or post medieval farmstead can be seen on EH Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in 2010. These cropmarks are situated south of Sturmer and on the opposite (west) side of Hill Lane to Homefield and Abbot's Grove. This site was occupied by a house in the late 19th century but the cropmarks reflect an earlier arrangement; they show a lane defined by parallel ditches heading west from Hill Lane and creating a wide triangular junction. On the north side of this is a curving ditch which created an approximately oval enclosure that met with Mill Lane. Some internal cropmarks are indistinct but include the remains of two ponds. This basic layout matches that depicted by the OS in the early 19th century – a date when no settlement was on the eastern side of the lane. With the exception of the ponds little of this layout is reflected by the later 19th century farmstead at this location, other cropmarks represent late 19th century field boundaries. The site had been cleared of buildings by the mid 20th century and the field and farmstead boundaries subsequently removed. <1> - <4>