Monument record 3948/1/1 - Linear earthwork, west of Stamford Road

Linear earthwork which had been interpreted as a possible fieldway between ridge and furrow. The ditch was excavated during archaeological observation of road construction; it was backfilled with modern material and considered likely to be the remains of a narrow guage tramway related to nearby quarrying. However, Lidar imagery indicates that the earthwork forms a boundary between two furlongs of ridge and furrow and may have earlier origins. The earthwork has been associated with the 'Long Dyke' a large V-shaped earthwork noted by Bridges in the 18th century, but this earthwork is said to have been located in Boughton Park, some way to the east [HER 3949].

{1} Watching brief by T.Sharman during road development in May 1992. A section through the V-shaped ditch established it to be 11m wide x 2m deep and running south-west to north-east. There were two parallel shallow ditch-like features on either side of the main cut. The ditch was bottomed by a layer of ash and modern infill. Interpreted as a possible tramway running from a small quarry to the south-west.

{2} Between Weekley and Geddington in a place called `Castle-Hedges' is a long trench stretching a considerable way into Boughton Park, and apparently a continuation of that still visible at Warkton.

{3} Linear earthwork. Possibly a field way running between ridge and furrow.

{4} Excavation c.1960. A section was cut across an undated "ditch". Negatives and prints of the section held. Sitename: The Long Dyke.

{5} Cropmark [earthwork!] of two parallel ditches [banks!]. Suggested as representing the possible track for a mineral railway, but not shown on OS mapping. NCCAP:SP8881/020-22.

{7} ('A'-SP 88418111 to SP 88608136) Linear earthwork.
('B'-SP 88868171 to SP 88968184) Remains of Linear earthwork.
(Plotted from sketch plan).

{8} 'A' is apparent between SP 88428108 and SP 88558135, it looks like a field way between rig and furrow. 'B': no trace at all in rig and furrow field.

{9} Fragmentary and amorphous remains only exist of this feature which appears to have been merely a field road.

{10} Lidar imagery indicates that the earthwork is aligned along a furlong boundary.

{11} Discusses historical sources that refer to the 'Long Dyke' and identifies the most likely route. The earthwork lies within the zone suggested.

<1> Sharman T., 1992, M1-A1 (Contract 5N), Weekley, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48827.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.344 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88SE15 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Kettering Museum Records, Photo File (checked) (Catalogue). SNN28658.

<5> Northamptonshire HER Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Brown, G, 1960?, Excavation to investigate a linear earthwork in Broad Walk, Weekley (Note). SNN112731.

<7> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Letter and Sketch plan (M J V Seaborne 9.5.60) (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<8> Aerial Photograph, APs 541/611 4044-5 (11.10.50) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<9> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 06-SEP-1969 (Notes). SNN112950.

<10> Environment Agency, LIDAR Composite DTM - 1m, Accessed 29/06/2026 (Digital Plots). SNN111710.

<11> Barry Humphries, 2026, The Long Dyke (Note). SNN117145.

Record last edited

Jul 20 2026 1:45PM