Monument record 585 - Possible prehistoric settlement

Two possible Iron Age to Roman enclosures are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. They are located south of Sidegate Lane. Other almost east-west linear ditches are also visible but it is not clear if these are of the same date or much later, possibly associated with early 20th century iron stone quarrying which is visible to the south (Monument Number 1625417).

{1} Enclosures (SP 913700), 500m W. of Carrol Spring Farm, on sand at 64m above OD. Air photographs (in NMR) show a number of rectangular ditched features, which are almost certainly the result of natural frost action, covering an area of 4 hectares. However, there are also indications of a small group of conjoined rectangular enclosures, possibly a settlement, lying in the centre (at SP 91297001). Two abandoned ironstone tramways cross the area.

{2} Two possible Iron Age to Roman enclosures are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs and were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. They are located south of Sidegate Lane at SP 91278 69981. Other almost east-west linear ditches are also visible but it is not clear if these are of the same date or much later, possibly associated with early 20th century iron stone quarrying which is visible to the south.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 167/ Site 8, Fig. 148 (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 11907/10 11-JUL-1990 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<3> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 6:13PM