Blakeney Mariners Hill

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Wellburgh

In the civil parish of Blakeney. In the historic county of Norfolk (Modern Authority of Norfolk, 1974 county of Norfolk).

PastScape records 'a large mound originally interpreted as a motte, more likely to be a harbour lookout or beacon mount.' However, it is next to the manor house of an important manor and borough with a friary. The name implies use as a harbour beacon, but this does not exclude construction as a motte, although, on balance, seems unlikely as a castle site.
A large artificial mound of earth (known as Mariners Hill) is clearly visible on aerial photographs. The mound is centred on NGR TG0285 4409 and is about 50m across by 35m. It also appears to be formed of two different areas in as much as there is the main mound which is clearly higher and then adjoining it to the east there is a lower/smaller mound. This causes a stepped appearance. (They have been mapped as one mound). Its exact date and origin are uncertain though it seems likely to have once been a harbour lookout or beacon mount from the medieval or post medieval periods. There seems to be some uncertainty as to whether the mound pre or post dates the adjacent Blakeney Guildhall (NHER 6133 NMR TG04SW12). The NHER entry concludes that it 'post-dates guildhall of 1350 as it formerly covered one wall of this'. However, the NMR entry states that 'it is possible the mound pre-dates the C15 Guildhall to the west (TG04SW12), the undercroft of which appears to cut the western quadrant'. The NMR entry then goes on to say, 'because of its irregular spread, the fact that the Guildhall undercroft appears to cut it is not proof of its pre C15 construction'. (Norfolk HER)
A WWII air raid shelter was inserted into the mound and the second smaller mound may represent spoil from building this.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TG02854409

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 131278
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 12287 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MNF12287