Monument record 1873 - Iron Age to Roman Settlement, east of Wood Lodge Farm

Extensive Iron Age and/or Roman ditched enclosures and boundaries are recorded as cropmarks on EH Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2011 and are also partially visible on Google Earth aerial photographs, the best view taken in the 2005. They probably indicate settlement and associated land division with a possible focus of activity at the northern end of the complex. They extend over an area measuring 800 metres north to south and 400 metres at its widest visible extents. A long ditched boundary appears to define the eastern extents and this may link the area to other extensive features to the south, {HER no 8856/1]. A double ditched boundary or trackway extends to the north and east of the enclosures but it is not clear if they are associated with each other [HER no 1877/1]. There are more features to the north of this which may also be related [see HER no 1875]. Most of these features were mapped during the Northamptonshire NMP projectand there are records in the Northamptonshire HER. However the enclosures and boundaries described in this record appear to be mostly new discoveries. Iron Age and Roman pottery, indicative of a settlement, were found at the northern end of the site [1873/0/2].

{2,4} Extensive Iron Age and/or Roman ditched enclosures and boundaries are recorded as cropmarks on EH Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2011 and are also partially visible on Google Earth aerial photographs, the best view taken in the 2005. They probably indicate settlement and associated land division with a possible focus of activity at the northern end of the complex.

They extend over an area measuring 800 metres north to south and 400 metres at its widest visible extents. A long ditched boundary appears to define the eastern extents and this may link the area to other extensive features to the south [HER 1877/1]. A double ditched boundary or trackway (mentioned by source 1) extends to the north and east of the enclosures but it is not clear if they are associated with each other. There are more features to the north of this which may also be related [HER no 1875]).

Most of these features were mapped during the Northamptonshire NMP project and there are records in the Northamptonshire HER. However the enclosures and boundaries described below appear to be mostly new discoveries.

The site comprises numerous conjoined and overlapping enclosures of varying shapes and sizes. The enclosures at the northern end seem to comprise an area of irregular curvilinear enclosures and, to the east, an area of rectilinear conjoined enclosures, perhaps indicating different phases or different functions. Indistinct cropmarks towards the middle and southern end of the site suggest that there are more enclosures there.

The site, as described in this monument record, is probably more extensive and linked to the other features recorded in the vicinity. This monument record covers the area, about 800 metres by 400 metres, between TL 0354 7695 and TL 0375 7770.

Iron Age and Roman pottery, indicative of a settlement, were found at the northern end of the site [HER 1873/0/2].

{6} - Headland Archaeology was commissioned by Lighthouse Development Consulting on behalf of Wood Lodge Solar Limited to undertake a geophysical (magnetometer) survey at Wood Lodge Farm, Northamptonshire, where a solar farm is being proposed. The results of the survey found anomalies that are indicative of significant, dense and extensive archaeological activity. The results can be grouped into three main foci of archaeological activity. All locations consist of anomalies that suggest clustered enclosures of varying size and shape. The suggested date for the archaeological activity is from Iron age to Romano-British.

{7} {4} The site was considered for scheduling, but after examining all the records and other relevant information and having carefully considered the national importance of the site, it is considered that the criteria for scheduling are not fulfilled. This is a settlement of local and regional interest only and its interest should be managed locally.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 193 (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27158_004-016 11-JULY-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<3> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27158_020-025 11-JULY-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<4> Vertical Aerial Photograph, EARTH.GOOGLE.COM 26-JUN-2005 ACCESSED 20-NOV-2014 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Christian Adams, 2023, Wood Lodge Solar Farm, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey Report, https://doi.org/10.5284/1116008 (Report). SNN115675.

<7> Historic England, 2024, Iron Age and Romano-British site at Wood Lodge Farm (Reject at Initial Assessment Report) (Designation Advice Report). SNN116600.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:17PM