Monument record 6421/1/1 - Wakerley Great Wood Shaft Mounds

A large number of pits/depressions have been identified in Wakerley Woods. The white clays hereabouts are used in industrial processes and rest on Lincolnshire Limestone. The pits may have been dug in the Romano-British/medieval periods, but this has not yet been confirmed.

{1}Survey confirmed presence of many pits in woodland; poss RB or med & used a sources for ore for nearby iron industry

{2}Report by Denis Jackson on possible origins of pits/depressions in Wakerley Woods. Possible remains of quarrying for ironstone during Roman period, however there are no associated spoil heaps recorded in vicinity. On balance the features would appear to be geological - representing natural sinkholes. Although it is possible that some pits were enlarged for clay or iron ore extraction

{3}About Wakerley the lower part of the Lower Estuarine Series consist of white siliceous clays capable of standing great heat. In the Great Wood to the south of the village (towards Laxton and Fineshade) the clays were extensively dug and conveyed to the premises of Mess'rs Blashfield of Stamford, the well known maker of terra-cotta. The clay made excellent muffle tiles and with an admixture of other clays were also used to make terra-cotta.The clay at Wakerley is dug immediately beneath the peaty soil of the wood to a depth of 6ft. It rests immediately upon the beds of Lincolnshire limestone.Numerous quarries for Lincolnshire limestone occur, some still being still processed and others abandoned. Several such pits occur between the Great Wood and the Spinney, where at the north corner of the former plantation there are admirable section of the shelly limestone. In some areas the relationship between the limestone and the overlaying white clays, which are used for commercial purposes, can be seen.

{4}Trial excavation of pits in Wakerley Wood - no evidence for any kind of quarrying or mining, but professional geological advice indicates that the pits cannot be natural. Sections of two of the pits in oversize drawers.

{7} Areas of shallow pitting have been identified as Roman iron ore extraction. The area is currently within a forestry plantation.

<1> CADMAN G.E., 1993, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49991.

<2> Jackson, D, 1995, The pits and depressions in Wakerley Great Wood: quarry pits or natural sinkholes (Report). SNN112582.

<3> RUDD J.W., 1875, The Geology of Rutland and Surrounding Areas, (unchecked) (Book). SNN2558.

<4> CADMAN G.E., 1997, Wakerley Wood Pits, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49746.

<5> Hall D.N., 2001, Northamptonshire Woodland Survey Archive, (part checked) (Digital archive). SNN109590.

<6> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, (checked) (Database). SNN102279.

<7> Instone E., 1995, Monuments Protection Programme: The Iron Mining Industry (Introduction to Step 3 Site Assessments), (unchecked) (Report). SNN109473.

<8> Hall D. N., 2000, Forest Enterprise Woodlands In Northamptonshire - Wakerley Wood Archaeological Survey, (unchecked) (Report). SNN100614.

<9> Environment Agency, LIDAR Composite DTM - 1m (Digital Plots). SNN111710.

<9> Johnston, A G, 1995, Wakerley Wood pits, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49499.

<10> Jackson, D, Bellamy, B, Cadman, G, Porter, M, & Johnston, AG, 1995, Sections across hollows near north car park, Wakerley Wood (Plan). SNN115222.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:13PM