Natasha Hutcheson

March 2008

BAU 1791

© NAU Archaeology

An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment ofLittle Plumstead Hospital, Norfolk

NAU Report № 1791

NAU Archaeology

Report № 1791

An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

of Little Plumstead Hospital, Norfolk

Natasha Hutcheson

March 2008

BAU 1791

© NAU Archaeology

Project checklist Date Project overseen by Jayne Bown

Andy Hutcheson David Whitmore

Draft complete Natasha Hutcheson 28.02.08 Graphics complete David Dobson 05.03.08 Edit complete Jayne Bown 03.03.08 Signed off Jayne Bown 10.03.08

NAU Archaeology Scandic House 85 Mountergate

Norwich NR1 1PY

T 01603 756150 F 01603 756190 E andy.hutcheson@nps.co.uk www.nps.co.uk www.nau.org.uk

Contents

Summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Geology and Topography 3.0 Methodology 4.0 Summary of Previous Work 5.0 Archaeological Background 6.0 Historical Background 7.0 Cartographic Evidence 8.0 The Site Today 9.0 Conclusions

Acknowledgements Bibliography

Figures Figure 1 Site Location Figure 2 Location of 2003 evaluation trenches Figure 3 Location of 2004 watching brief area Figure 4 Location of NHER findspots Figure 5 Faden’s 1797 map Figure 6 Enclosure map 1801 Figure 7 Glebe exchange map 1825 Figure 8 Bryant’s map 1826 Figure 9 Ordnance Survey 1” first edition Figure 10 Tithe map of 1840 Figure 11 Ordnance survey map 6” first edition

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Location: Little Plumstead Hospital District: Broadland Grid Ref: TG 308 108 NHER № abutting NHER 37644

Summary The following report explores the evidence for archaeological remains in and around the area of the proposed development on the western half of Little Plumstead Hospital. Subsequent to an evaluation and watching brief undertaken in 2003 and 2004, further information has been added to the Norfolk Historic Environment Record, which has been incorporated into this report. In particular, it seems that to the south of the site there is a possible relict Neolithic/Bronze Age monumental landscape, a landscape that fits well with the date of the important Neolithic/Bronze Age settlement remains found during the 2003 evaluation. In addition, there is further evidence of medieval field systems to the north of the site. Given the infertile nature of the soils and therefore lack of long term intensive farming in the area, along with the development in the 19th century of the parkland associated with the site, it is possible that archaeological information regarding the early history of the church and settlement at Little Plumstead may be recovered from the western half of the development.

1.0 Introduction This desk based assessment reviews the potential for archaeological remains in and around a proposed development on the western half of the former hospital site in Little Plumstead (Fig 1). In addition, it includes a summary of findings from archaeological works that were undertaken by Norfolk Archaeological Unit (now NAU Archaeology) on the eastern half of Little Plumstead Hospital in 2003 and 2004 and incorporates that evidence into the conclusions. The work was designed to assist in defining the character and extent of archaeological remains within the proposed redevelopment area, following the guidelines set out in Planning and Policy Guidance 16 — Archaeology and Planning (Department of the Environment 1990). These results will enable decisions to be made by the Local Planning Authority with regard to their requirements for the treatment of any archaeological remains found.

2.0 Geology and Topography The site is located to the north of the Witton Run, a tributary to the Yare and is situated geologically on an area of glacial sands and gravels that overlie Norwich Brickearth and Crag. It lies at approximately 20m OD. Until the 19th century, when the site became an area of formal parkland associated with Little Plumstead Hall, the land was probably used in pastoral farming and light arable farming. In surrounding parishes, such as Mousehold to the north, the poor sands that characterise the topsoil in this area often result in infertile heathland.

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Methodology The Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER) was consulted for information concerning any archaeological sites, historic landscapes and/or historic buildings (Listed Buildings) located within a 1km radius of the centre of the site. Further research examining a range of cartographic and historical sources was also undertaken as part of this Desk Based Assessment. Complementary to this research, the reports outlining the results from a recent archaeological evaluation and watching brief undertaken on the eastern half of the development site, were studied. The findings from these reports are outlined below.

3.0 Summary of Previous Work In early 2003 (27/01/03 – 25/03/03) an archaeological evaluation was carried out on the eastern half of the development site in advance of new housing. The aim of this evaluation, which involved excavating one hundred and four 10m x 4m trial trenches, was to determine the nature and significance of any archaeological deposits within the development area (Fig 2). Of the one hundred and four trenches, thirty six produced archaeological features and finds (Trimble 2003). The archaeological features recovered were concentrated in two discrete areas of the site, the northern area and the area immediately to the north of the lake. Those features in the trenches located to the north of the site mainly comprised aspects of medieval field systems dating from the 11th to 14th centuries. There were also some large pits suggesting that medieval quarrying was taking place in this part of the site. The features and finds that were recorded in trenches immediately north of the lake were much earlier in date, being ascribed to the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age. Of particular interest was a series of stake holes recorded within trench 107 that appeared to form three sides of a rectilinear structure (Trimble 2003, 19, 33). It was also suggested that other stake holes, particularly those in trench 108 may have formed fences (ibid, 33). The stake holes, various gullies, flints and fragments of pottery seem to point to domestic activity having taken place in the vicinity. In view of the rarity of late Neolithic/early Bronze Age structures, not just in Norfolk, but across the country as a whole, the area to the north of the lake was also the focus for an archaeological watching brief in 2004 (30/06/04 – 9/07/04 and 02/09/04 – 16/09/04). The remit of this watching brief was to observe topsoil stripping and trenching for sewer and water pipes and to record any archaeological remains uncovered (Fig 3). However, due in part to the shallow depth of soil removed during this phase of the development, no further archaeological features or finds dating to the Neolithic/Bronze Age were recovered (Hobbs 2004).

4.0 Archaeological Background In addition to the detailed work undertaken on the eastern half of the development site, there are a range of other archaeological finds and features within the immediate vicinity, as well as a number of listed buildings (Fig 4, Appendix 1).

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Prehistory The earliest evidence for prehistoric activity recorded on the NHER is located north east of the development site and comprises a collection of Mesolithic worked flints that includes flakes, blades and scrapers as well as cores and waste (NHER 8485). This area, which was probably wooded at the time, would have been attractive to hunter gatherers as a good food resource. An early Bronze Age, Beaker arrowhead was also found at this site. More prolific, however, within the vicinity of the development site is the evidence for Neolitihic and Bronze Age activity. As discussed above, good evidence suggestive of late Neolithic/Bronze Age settlement was recovered from the eastern half of the former Little Plumstead Hospital site (NHER 37644). In addition, just to the north of site, on the other side of Hospital Road, a flaked and polished Neolithic axe head was found, as was a late Bronze Age socketed axe (NHER 34906). An interesting Neolithic ‘combination’ tool consisting of a scraper/knife was also recovered to the north west of the site at NHER 8493. To the south of the development area, clustered relatively close together there are a number of crop mark sites suggesting a relict Neolithic/Bronze Age monumental landscape. In particular, there is evidence for a C-shaped ditch (NHER 45167) which may represent the remains of a hengiform monument, similar to the Neolithic site at Roughton (NHER 30581). Another possible Neolithic hengiform monument has also been noted at NHER 45130. In addition, a rectilinear crop mark has been interpreted as a possible Neolithic mortuary enclosure (NHER 45127). There are also two possible ring ditches that may relate Bronze Age burial mounds (barrows) (NHER 12827 and 45129).

The Iron Age and Roman Periods There is not a great of material dating to the Iron Age and Roman periods that has been recovered from the area examined. To the north west of the site there are three crop marks that may be the remains of Iron Age/Roman enclosures (NHER 45119, 45122, 45124), in addition a Roman silver coin was found to the north at NHER 34906; the findspot that is located on the other side of Hospital Road. A further copper alloy Roman coin was discovered along with a few sherds of pottery by a metal detectorist to the south of the site at NHER 36598. Other possible crop marks that may date to either the prehistoric or Roman period were also located to the south west of the site at NHER 49553.

Medieval There are two churches within the search area; St Gervase and St Protose (NHER 8491) which is situated adjacent to the development site in Little Plumstead, and St Mary’s which is located in Great Plumstead (NHER 10263). The church of St. Gervase and St. Protase is a unique dedication to Milanese twins who were martyred in the second century. They are the patron saints of haymakers (Norfolk Heritage Explorer). Much of the church at Little Plumstead is architecturally of Norman date. However, it is likely that the base of the round tower is late Saxon in date. Other than the base of the tower at St Gervase’s and St Protase’s, there are few examples of Saxon material known from the area. The only other item tentatively dated to this period is a copper alloy coated iron weight (NHER 34908) dating from the 10th–12th century. This item was found just to the north of the site.

TR 09

Cemetery

TR 76

TR 70

TR 89

TR 94TR 103

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LAKE TR 112

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0 200m

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Figure 2. Location of 2003 evaluation trenches. Scale 1:2,500

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Figure 3. Location of 2004 watching brief area. Scale 1:2,500

Cemetery

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Route of pipeline

Watching brief area 2003 Evaluation trenchesRoute of pipeline

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Also to the north site at NHER 34907 a medieval coin, coin weight and seal matrix engraved with a squirrel have been found. A range of medieval finds have also been recovered from the south of the development area at NHER 36598 and 49093. These finds include a coin, buckle, token, fragments of vessels and a seal matrix. In addition to artefacts, during archaeological evaluation of the eastern half of Little Plumstead Hospital, a series of medieval ditches were uncovered relating to a field system.

Medieval and Post-medieval Field Systems Since the completion of archaeological work at Little Plumstead Hospital in 2003 and 2004, the area around the development site has been explored through the National Mapping Programme, a programme aimed at mapping archaeological information that has been captured on aerial photographs. Through this programme, the cluster of Neolithic and Bronze Age sites to the south of the development mentioned above has been discovered, and in addition, a range of field systems most likely dating to the medieval and post-medieval periods have also been revealed. These cropmarks, which are situated to the northwest (HER 45121, 45123, 45125), the west (45126) and south of the site (NHER 45128) comprise a variety of features including rectilinear enclosures, field boundaries and possible routeways.

Post-medieval Period The majority of features relating to the post-medieval period comprise buildings. There is Little Plumstead Hall (NHER 8492) itself which was built in 1889 and subsequently modified to become the hospital in 1929. South west of the main hall area is the Old Lodge (NHER 46086), which was the early 19th-century gatehouse to the hall. This building, which is octagonal in plan, is a Grade II listed building. Within the boundary of the parkland attached to Little Plumstead Hall, the parkland that became the grounds to the Hospital, is a reputed ice house (NHER 13312). This is apparently located just to the south of the current development area and no longer visible at ground level. To the east of the site is The Grange, another Grade II listed building. The Grange was built in the early 16th century, extended in the 17th and ‘Gothicised’ in the 1830s (NHER 1331). The final building to be included in the survey area is Manor House Farm, another Grade II listed building, which is located to the north west of the site. This early 19th century farm is particularly noted for its large brick barn which has an unusual octagonal engine house. In addition to these buildings, metal detecting to the south of the development area at NHER 36598 has recovered a range of post-medieval artefacts including two coins, a jetton, a token, two weights and a harness fitting. Post-medieval pottery sherds were also recovered during the 2004 watching brief.

Modern There are two modern sites recorded on the NHER in the area examined for this desk based survey. The first is within close proximity of the development area and comprises the Clock Tower at Little Plumstead Hospital. This clock tower, which was constructed in the Arts and Crafts style in 1903, is a Grade II listed building

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(NHER 39763). The second is located to the north west of the site at NHER 11783 is a World War II bomb decoy site.

5.0 Historical Background Much of the area of Little Plumstead was open heathland for many years, and as such, there is not a great deal of documentary records relating to the area. Given the nature of the local environment, it is perhaps not surprising that evidence points to Little Plumstead as having been a relatively minor place, with no strong indication of there having been a large settlement associated with the Church of St Gervase and St Protase. Prior to Domesday, it is recorded that there were three manors in the area. One was held by a freeman by the name of Tovi on behalf of Earl Guert and was worth 5 shillings (10 shillings by 1086). One of the other manors was held by an unnamed freeman, with the last being held by Edric de Laxfield as an outlier of his Eaton Manor. At the compilation of Domesday, two of these manors had passed into the hands of the crown and one had been granted to Ralph the crossbow man. Most of the land passed to the Fitzallens in the late 11th century. By the mid 12th century, one of these manors, also possessing a mill, had been gifted to Norwich Priory by William of Plumstead. Medieval records show that Little Plumstead was paying small amounts in Lay Subsidies in the 1300s and 1400s (Hudson 1895). By 1603 it still had 63 communicants, some of which may have been at Little Plumstead Street (Jessop 1888). By the early 19th century, cartographic evidence demonstrates that the area under survey was occupied by the church and a house, and that the creation of the park by Rev. John Penrice was underway. Previous work on the documentary sources (Trimble 2003, 5) has concluded that Penrice probably started work on the park in 1820 and in 1825 exchanged his land to the east of The Grange for the glebe around the church (see Fig 7). By 1838, Penrice had expanded the park and built a new house (Plumstead Hall). In addition, Witton Lane was constructed or consolidated to the east, separating the new park from the land of The Grange. There is some evidence that road orders of 1820, 1827 and 1829 resulted in Penrice’s desired diversion of the road next to the church. In 1855 the park and house went up for sale, with the present hall being built in 1889 for the Rev. Charles Johnston (Pevsner and Wilson 1998, 589). This new hall was built to the east of the first large house, which was then demolished. The park and house then became a hospital in 1929, known initially as Norfolk Mental Deficiency Hospital. New buildings were added over the years, but the hall was kept as the main central block.

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6.0 Cartographic Evidence A number of maps have been examined, tracing history of land use and layout in the area around the development site.

Faden’s Map 1797 (Fig 5) This late 18th-century map demonstrates that the area of Plumstead Parva and Plumstead Magna were not densely occupied at this time and that the parkland surrounding the later Plumstead Hall was not in development. It is also notable that what is labelled as Plumstead Hall on this map later became known as The Grange. It also seems that at this time, the land around the old Plumstead Hall (The Grange) was owned by Roger Kerrison. There is also a parsonage to the south of the church.

From close study of the map, it is possible that the lane to the west of Little Plumstead Hall is a precursor to what was to become Witton Lane.

1801 Enclosure map of Little Plumstead (NRO: C/Sca 2 218) (Fig 6) The 1801 enclosure map, which depicts land that was largely owned by Roger Kerrison at this time, shows the church of St Protase and St Gervase and associated buildings (presumably the parsonage) and The Grange or old Plumstead Hall. There is no evidence for Witton Lane on this map, and the lane beside the church is still in its original position.

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1825 Glebe Exchange Map (NRO: PD 452/19) (Fig 7) This map shows the areas of land that John Penrice exchange for land next to the church. As part of this exchange, he also gave up The Grange (the old Plumstead Hall). Witton Lane, which was to separate the two land holdings is also not shown on this map.

1826 Bryant’s Map of Norfolk (Fig 8) Bryant’s map shows that the landscape in the area of the development site was beginning to change with the creation of the park. At this point, the park has not reached its full east – west extent. Plumstead Hall is still shown on the site of what was to become known as The Grange. It also seems that, as in Faden’s map, a routeway is visible in the place where Witton Lane was to run.

1838/1860 Ordnance Survey 1” 1st Edition and 1842 Tithe Map (Figs 9 and 10) The Ordnance survey 1” first edition shows that the park had reached its full extent by this stage. Witton Load also seems to be in existence. Intriguingly the hall in the park and the site that was to become known as The Grange, are both labelled Little Plumstead Hall. Manor Farm to the north west of the site can also be seen on this map.

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The Tithe map is at a larger scale and shows details of the park layout.

1887 Ordnance Survey first edition 6” map (Fig 11) This map shows that the layout of roads was not dissimilar to the present day. The park and former Plumstead Hall are also shown just prior to the building of the current 1889 hall.

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The Site Today The site of Little Plumstead Hospital is currently under development, with a proportion of the eastern half of what had been the hospital and grounds now supporting a new housing development.

7.0 Conclusions As discussed in the section outlining the geology and topography of the site, the area around Little Plumstead comprises sandy, relatively infertile soils that have given rise to heathland. The relatively extensive heathland in this area has ensured that unlike many other parts of the county, this area has perhaps not supported intensive and long lived arable farming. There is some evidence for medieval field systems to the north of the site and perhaps also some Iron Age/Roman field systems, but the general lack of intensive farming has ensured that the archaeology in this area has remained hidden. The potentially hidden nature of the archaeology is possibly exacerbated through the creation of the parkland at Little Plumstead Hall itself. The park has ensured that this specific area has not been the focus of much archaeological/metal-detecting activity until more recently. Indeed, the only archaeology known on the site until the 2003 evaluation was extant, comprising the church and a series of post-medieval buildings. Given that the eastern half of the site produced archaeological evidence dating to the Neolithic/Bronze Age and Medieval periods; it is likely that further archaeological remains will be located within the western half of the site. In particular, it is possible that remains associated with the early phase of the church may come to light, and it is possible, given the cluster of material and crop marks in the area, that further remains dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age may come to light. In addition, further information regarding medieval Plumstead may be gained from further archaeological interventions, along with further information on the creation of the park.

Acknowledgements Thanks are extended to Alice Cattermole at Norfolk Landscape Archaeology for providing information from the Norfolk Historic Environment Record for this Desk Based Survey.

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Bibliography Barringer, J .C. 1989 Faden’s Map of Norfolk. Guist: The Larks Press.

Blomefield, F. 1807 Topographical History of Norfolk

Hobbs, B. 2004 An Archaeological Watching Brief at Little Plumstead, Norfolk. NAU Archaeology report 1028

Hudson, W. 1895 The assessment of the townships…in 1334. Norfolk Archaeology 12.

Jessop, W. 1888 Condition of the Archdeaconry of Norwich in 1603. Norfolk Archaeology 10

Pevsner, N. and Wilson, W.

1998 Norfolk I (The Buildings of England). Penguin.

Trimble, G. 2003 An Archaeological Evaluation at Little Plumstead Hospital. NAU Archaeology report 887.

Appendix 1 NHER Entries Prehistoric NHER No. Type Location Description

8485 Flint working TG 318 115

Mesolithic worked flints including flakes, blades and scrapers, as well as cores and waste.

8493 Flint

implement TG 302 111

Early Neolithic combination flint tool – scraper/knife.

34906 Flint axes Bronze axe

TG 30 11 Flaked and polished Neolithic axe head. Fragment of a late Bronze Age socketed axe head.

37644 Settlement TG 30164 10749

Flint Flakes, Neolithic pottery, gullies and stake holes suggestive of late Neolithic/early Bronze Age settlement activity recovered during an evaluation on eastern half of development site in 2003 (Trimble 2003).

45127 ?mortuary enclosure

TG 3068 1008

A rectangular cropmark – date and function unclear, but it does have some similarities to smaller Neolithic mortuary enclosures.

45130 Hengiform ring ditch

TG 3133 1017

Crop mark of a hengiform double ring ditch, probably of late Neolithic/early Bronze Age date.

45167 ?hengiform enclosure

TG 3072 1004

C–shaped ditch – possible a hengiform monument similar to that at Roughton (NHER 30581). There is also a polygonal enclosure which may relate to the C-shaped enclosure. Alternatively, it is possible the features are medieval.

8485 Arrow head TG 318 115

Beaker period barbed and tanged arrow head (same site as Mesolithic flints).

12827 ?barrow TG 3015 1000

Cropmark of a ring ditch, probably relating to a Bronze Age Barrow.

45129 ?barrow TG 3118 1017

Cropmark of an incomplete ring ditch, probably relating to a Bronze Age barrow.

Iron Age/Roman NHER No. Type Location Description

45119 D-shaped enclosure

TG 3070 1148

Cropmark of a D-shaped enclosure of possible Iron Age/Roman date.

45122 D-shaped enclosure

TG 3022 1116

Cropmark of a D-shaped enclosure of possible Iron Age/Roman date.

45124 Incomplete curvilinear enclosure

TG 3028 1130

Possible Iron Age/Roman enclosure related to 45122.

34906 Coin TG 30 11 Roman silver coin – found during metal detecting

36598 Coin/sherds TG 30 09 Roman copper alloy coin and few Roman sherds of pottery, found during metal detecting.

49553 Cropmarks TG 3014 0974

Series of cropmarks seen on aerial photograph representing a number of ditches and enclosures which may be of possible prehistoric or Roman date.

Medieval NHER No. Type Location Description

8491 Church TG 3074 1086

A parish church, with a dedication unique in England to the Saints of St Protase and St Gervase. The church has a Norman round tower, nave and other Norman architectural details. The base of the tower may date to the Late Saxon period. Parts of the fabric of the building were renewed in the 17th century, and the church was extensively restored in the 19th century.

10263 St Mary’s Church, Great Plumstead

TG 3019 0996

A medieval parish, dating back to the 13th century, but almost wholly rebuilt after a severe fire in 1891 (post-medieval). The church has blocked 13th century windows, and a restored Perpendicular window. The brick tower is dated 1711, and is built on top of an older flint base.

34907 Coin, coin weight & seal matrix

TG 30 11 A medieval coin, a medieval coin weight, and a medieval seal matrix engraved with a squirrel motif, found by a metal detectorist.

34908 Weight TG 31 11 Late Saxon or medieval copper alloy coated iron weight of truncated sphere type. Now a mass of corroded iron. One disc end of copper alloy can be seen, with a border of punched dots around groups of more dots (4 can be seen in one place) and engraved straight lines. Weighs 156.22g. 10th to 12th century.

36598 Coin and other metal finds

TG 30 09 A range of medieval metal finds recovered through metal detecting including a coin, token, buckle, copper alloy vessel fragments including a ewer and a jug, and some pottery sherds.

37644 Field systems TG 30164 10749

Ditches relating to a medieval field system were recovered during an evaluation on the eastern half of development site in 2003, as were a number of pits and postholes and 11th -14th century pottery (Trimble 2003).

49093 Seal Matrix TG 30 09 Medieval copper alloy seal matrix

Medieval – Post-medieval Field systems There are a series of field systems and enclosures that have been mapped from aerial photographs of the parish that are likely to be medieval to post-medieval, but which have no firm dating evidence. These sites have been listed in the table below. NHER No. Type Location Description

45121 Crop marks TG 3025 1171

Cropmarks of an incomplete rectilinear enclosure and associated ditches of possible post-medieval date are visible on aerial photographs. The enclosure appears to have a trapezoidal plan. Two linear ditch cropmarks extend from the southeast side of the enclosure and are aligned parallel to a modern farm track.

45123 Crop marks TG 3022 1124

A group of rectilinear field boundary ditch cropmarks are present on alignments similar to that of the modern field pattern. Some of the boundaries are represented by double or triple linear ditches. They are located immediately to the west of Manor Farm and are not marked on the 1839 Little Plumstead tithe map.

45125 Crop marks TG 3046 1154

Cropmarks of rectilinear field boundaries of medieval to early post-medieval date are visible on aerial photographs. These cropmarks are located to the north of Manor Farm at Little Plumstead. Rectilinear field boundaries are present on a similar alignment to the modern field pattern. They are not marked on the 1839 Little Plumstead tithe map and it is likely that they are a continuation of the field system cropmarks present further to the southwest (NHER 45123).

45126 Crop marks TG 29891069

Cropmarks of rectilinear enclosures and field boundaries probably relating to a medieval to post-medieval farmstead are visible on aerial photographs. These partly relate to farms shown on Faden's 1797 Map of Norfolk.

45128 Crop marks TG 3065 1019

Cropmarks of a medieval to post-medieval road, field boundaries and pits are visible on aerial photographs. The road, which is marked on 18th and early 19th century maps, appears partly as a hollow way leading down to the Witton Run watercourse. Enclosures and field boundaries some of which appear to be contemporary with the road are present to the south of the watercourse. Cropmarks of pits possibly for the extraction of road building materials are also present.

There are other undated crop marks to the north, west and south of the site at 45120, 45134, 45133, 45132 and 45131. Post-medieval NHER No. Type Location Description

36598 Coins and metal objects

TG 30 09 Two coins, one silver, a jetton, a token, two weights and a post-medieval harness fitting found by metal detector in 2001 – 2005.

37644 Pottery TG 30164 10749

Post-medieval pottery found during watching brief on eastern area of development site (Hobbs 2004).

8492 Hall TG 3084 1079

A large hall, built in 1889 in an Elizabethan style. The Hall has been a hospital since 1929 (the hospital that is now under redevelopment). A rectory is shown close to the site of the Hall on Faden's map of 1797, and the tithe map of 1840 shows a large building, probably an earlier hall, surrounded by a park between the site of the present Hall and the church, NHER 8490.

13172 Manor House Farm Listed Building (II)

TG 3042 1127

An early 19th century farm, with a large brick barn which has an unusual octagonal engine house. The farmhouse dates from the early 19th century, and has giant brick pilasters on the main façade, and a circular central hall. The engine house is in the middle of the barn, rising above the threshing floors on either side, and is a rare example of an engine house in Norfolk.

13312 Ice House TG 3088 1058

This is the reputed site of a post-medieval icehouse, within the former park of Little Plumstead Hall, see NHER 8492. Two summerhouses are also reputed to have stood close to the site.

13313 The Grange, Little Plumstead Listed Building (II and II*)

TG 3146 1093

An early 16th century brick house, which was extended in the late 17th century, and Gothicised in the 1830s. The garden walls are battlemented, with ‘Gothick’ gateways, and some 17th century brickwork. The former stable dates to the 17th century, with added ‘Gothick’ details. The house is marked on Faden's map of 1797 as Plumstead Hall, suggesting that it may have been a manor house, and the house has also been used as a rectory.

46086 The Old Lodge (Octagon Cottage) Listed Building (II)

TG 3045 1057

An early 19th century gate lodge to Little Plumstead Hall. The lodge is octagonal in plan with arched openings on every side.

Modern NHER No. Type Location Description

39763 Clock Tower at Little Plumstead Hospital Listed Building (II)

TG 30778 10799

Clock tower in Arts and Crafts style 1903. Rendered red brick and tile. Square tapering, 3 stages, tile dado. Two string courses of chevron tiling, cut by tile edged lancets. Open cupola on top above clock and date plaque. Clock mechanism by John Moore and Sons, Camberwell, 1843. Listed as a rare example of an Arts and Crafts clock tower. Attached stable buildings of 1889, by which access is gained, are altered and not of interest.

11783 World War II

Bombing Decoy site.

TG 3001 1188

This is the site of a World War Two 'starfish' bombing decoy, laid out to resemble the lights of an industrial area of Norwich. S-shaped cropmarks are visible on aerial photographs and may be the remains of former field boundaries, rather than being associated with the decoy.

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