Monument record 2879/1 - Probable Iron Age/Roman settlement, north-west of Glebe Farm

A series of contiguous rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date either side of a ditch-defined trackway are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Located in an arable field of parliamentary enclosure boundaries, the curvilinear cropmark complex extends for about 360 metres SE-NNW and 212 metres W-E. About 45 metres to the north of the contiguous enclosures is an (apparently) isolated subrectangular ditched enclosure up to 4 metres wide, enclosing an area about 62 x 30 metres at its widest.

{1} A series of enclosures either side of a trackway are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs taken in June 2011 in the course of the annual English Heritage reconnaissance programme. Covering an area of circa 250 metres by 150 metres, and presumably continuing to the east at least (beyond the current extent of arable cultivation) the two ditches defining the trackway gradually converge as they turn northwestwards, with enclosures cutting across its line at the northwestern end before the cropmarks themselves fade from view. The enclosures are of a different character on either side - on the south facing side, they are fairly regular subrectangular features; on the other side there is more variation in size and shape, with some being defined by quite substantial ditches. Until the mid-20th century, a field boundary followed approximately the course of the trackway.

{1a} As described at {1} above, the contiguous rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date are visible as cropmarks and were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located in an arable field of parliamentary enclosure boundaries and centred at SP 91139 59826, the curvilinear cropmark complex extends for about 360 metres SE-NNW and 212 metres W-E. about 45 metres to the north of the contiguous enclosures is an (apparently) isolated subrectangular ditched enclosure up to 4 metres wide, centred at SP 91096 59995, enclosing an area about 62 x 30 metres at its widest.

<1a> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27053/042 29-JUN-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<1> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27053_039-047 29-JUN-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<2> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:56PM