Archaeological Solutions 2019

©Archaeological Solutions 2019

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS LTD

RAILWAY MEADOW, LONDON ROAD, SPELLBROOK, HERTFORDSHIRE, CM23 4AU

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

HER request No. 100/19

Author: Kate Higgs MA (Oxon.)

NGR: TL 4877 1782 Report No: 5168 District: East Herts Site Code: n/a Approved: Claire Halpin MCIfA Project No: 6728 Date: 17 October 2019

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Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

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Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

CONTENTS

OASIS SUMMARY SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE 3 METHODOLOGY 4 THE EVIDENCE 4.1 Topography, geology & soils 4.2 Archaeological and historical background 4.3 Cartographic sources 4.4 Constraints 5 SITE VISIT 6 DISCUSSION 7 CONCLUSION 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appendix 1 Historic Environment Record (HER) Data Appendix 2 Cartographic Sources Appendix 3 Sawbridgeworth Tithe Apportionment, 1838

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

OASIS SUMMARY SHEET Project name Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU In July 2016 and October 2019, Archaeological Solutions Limited carried out an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire CM23 4AU. The assessment was undertaken to inform and support a planning application for a proposed new residential development. The site is located within an Area of Archaeological Significance, which is associated with Wallbury Iron Age hill fort. Based on the known archaeological evidence, the site has a generally limited potential for archaeological remains, but a moderate potential for prehistoric finds. The site has a high potential for early modern find and features associated with the railway, and the former 'Spellbrook Station'. The 1839 tithe map reveals that the site was occupied by a primary building associated with the station, and presumably the station-master's house. It stood in the south-western corner of the site, but the area was far too over grown during the site visit to view the area. In 1839 two further buildings stood towards the centre of the site, and were presumably also associated with the station and railway. During the site visit, the same area of the site was found to contain a number of metal tanks, containers and large buckets sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material. Previous ground disturbance within the site is therefore judged to be extensive, specifically in relation to the construction of Spellbrook Station, its demolition, and the sinking of the metal containers. Despite the steep slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site, the exact land use of the site since 1842 remains unknown, but there is little to suggest that the site was subject to quarrying or gravel extraction. The site has been much truncated in the past. The proposed properties will be raised above the existing ground level to minimise the risk of flooding through surface water by effectively piling the site and siting the ground floor of the houses above the existing ground level. Its impact on archaeological remains, if present, may be minimal and a mitigation strategy will be agreed in consultation with the local Archaeological Advisor (Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Advisory Team),if this is required.

Project dates (fieldwork) n/a Previous work (Y/N/?) N Future work (Y/N/?) TBC P. number 6728 Site code n/a Type of project Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Site status Area of Archaeological Significance, Green Belt Current land use Derelict land Planned development New residential development Main features (+dates) n/a Significant finds (+dates) n/a Project location County/ District/ Parish Hertfordshire East Herts Sawbridgeworth HER for area Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HER Enquiry No. 100/19) Post code (if known) CM23 4AU Area of site c. 1.2 ha. NGR TL 4877 1782 Height AOD (min/max) c. 55m AOD Project creators Brief issued by n/a Project supervisor/s (PO) Archaeological Solutions Ltd Funded by Mrs. Ran Yeo Full title Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU. An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Authors Kate Higgs Report no. 5168 Date (of report) October 2019

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

RAILWAY MEADOW, LONDON ROAD, SPELLBROOK, HERTFORDSHIRE, CM23 4AU AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

SUMMARY

In July 2016 and October 2019, Archaeological Solutions Limited carried out an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire CM23 4AU. The assessment was undertaken to inform and support a planning application for a proposed new residential development.

The site is located within an Area of Archaeological Significance, which is associated with Wallbury Iron Age hill fort. Based on the known archaeological evidence, the site has a generally limited potential for archaeological remains, but a moderate potential for prehistoric finds. The site has a high potential for early modern find and features associated with the railway, and the former 'Spellbrook Station'. The 1839 tithe map reveals that the site was occupied by a primary building associated with the station, and presumably the station-master's house. It stood in the south-western corner of the site, but the area was far too over grown during the site visit to view the area.

In 1839 two further buildings stood towards the centre of the site, and were presumably also associated with the station and railway. During the site visit, the same area of the site was found to contain a number of metal tanks, containers and large buckets sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material. Previous ground disturbance within the site is therefore judged to be extensive, specifically in relation to the construction of Spellbrook Station, its demolition, and the sinking of the metal containers. Despite the steep slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site, the exact land use of the site since 1842 remains unknown, but there is little to suggest that the site was subject to quarrying or gravel extraction.

The site has been much truncated in the past. The proposed properties will be raised above the existing ground level to minimise the risk of flooding through surface water by effectively piling the site and siting the ground floor of the houses above the existing ground level. Its impact on archaeological remains, if present, may be minimal and a mitigation strategy will be agreed in consultation with the local Archaeological Advisor (Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Advisory Team), if this is required.

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July 2016 and October 2019, Archaeological Solutions Limited (AS) carried out an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire, CM23 4AU (Figs.1 & 2; TL 4877 1782). The assessment was commissioned by GSC Planning on behalf of the client Mrs. Ran Yeo and undertaken to inform and support a planning application for a proposed new residential development (Fig.13).

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

1.2 The assessment was undertaken according to a specification prepared by Archaeological Solutions. It also followed the procedures outlined in the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessments (CIfA; revised 2017), the relevant sections of Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England, East Anglian Archaeology Paper 14/ALGAO (Gurney 2003).

1.3 The objectives of the archaeological desk-based assessment and assessment of built heritage impacts were to provide for the identification of areas of archaeological potential within the site, to consider the site within its wider archaeological context and to describe the likely extent, nature, condition, importance and potential state of preservation of the archaeology. The context of future development proposals for the site has been examined and areas of significant previous ground disturbance have been identified.

Planning policy

1.4 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2019) states that those parts of the historic environment that have significance because of their historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest are heritage assets. The NPPF aims to deliver sustainable development by ensuring that policies and decisions that concern the historic environment recognise that heritage assets are a non- renewable resource, take account of the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits of heritage conservation, and recognise that intelligently managed change may sometimes be necessary if heritage assets are to be maintained for the long term. The NPPF requires applications to describe the significance of any heritage asset, including its setting that may be affected in proportion to the asset’s importance and the potential impact of the proposal.

1.5 The NPPF aims to conserve England’s heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, with substantial harm to designated heritage assets (i.e. listed buildings, scheduled monuments) only permitted in exceptional circumstances when the public benefit of a proposal outweighs the conservation of the asset. The effect of proposals on non-designated heritage assets must be balanced against the scale of loss and significance of the asset, but non- designated heritage assets of demonstrably equivalent significance may be considered subject to the same policies as those that are designated. The NPPF states that opportunities to capture evidence from the historic environment, to record and advance the understanding of heritage assets and to make this publicly available is a requirement of development management. This opportunity should be taken in a manner proportionate to the significance of a heritage asset and to impact of the proposal, particularly where a heritage asset is to be lost.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE

2.1 The site is located within the hamlet of Spellbrook, which is situated within the Stort Valley of Hertfordshire’s East Hertfordshire district (Fig. 1). The county boundary dividing Hertfordshire from Essex is formed by the River Stort and lies only 250m to the east. Spellbrook lies along the north to south aligned course of

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 the A1184, which runs between the large town of Bishop’s Stortford 2.5km to the north, and the smaller settlement of Sawbridgeworth 3km to the south. The hamlet of Thorley is situated 1.6km to the north-east, whilst the village of Great Hallingbury, which lies within the county of Essex, lies 1.6km to the east-south- east.

2.2 The site comprises a rectangular plot of land covering an area of approximately 1.5 hectares (Figs. 2 & 12). The western boundary of the site is formed by the A1184 London Road, whilst the site’s eastern boundary is demarcated by a north to south aligned West Anglia Mainline railway. To the immediate north of the site stands a Suzuki car dealership garage, with residential dwellings, including The Haven, fronting London Road to the south. The site is currently undeveloped and comprises derelict land, which is very overgrown with vegetation, trees and fallen trees. A pond also lies in the south- eastern section of the site.

2.3 The site is located within Hertfordshire’s Metropolitan Green Belt, which was designated to restrict ribbon development between urban areas such as Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth. It also lies within an Area of Archaeological Significance, as designated by the East Herts Local Plan, which is associated with Wallbury Iron Age hill fort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument located over the county boundary in Essex and 500m to the east of the site.

3 METHODOLOGY

Information was sought from a variety of available sources in order to meet the objectives of the assessment.

3.1 Archaeological Databases

The standard collation of all known archaeological sites and find spots within Spellbrook comes from the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HHER). Given the site’s proximity to the county boundary dividing Hertfordshire from Essex, it was also necessary to consult the Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER). Significant entries within an approximate 1km radius of the site are listed in Appendix 1 and plotted in Fig. 3. Where relevant, these sites and finds have been discussed in Section 4.2.

3.2 Historical and Cartographic Sources

The principal source for this type of evidence was the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Library (HALS). Relevant documents are listed in Appendix 2 and reproduced in Figs. 4 - 11.

3.3 Secondary Sources

The principal sources of secondary material were the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Library (HALS) and AS’s own in-house library. Unpublished sources regarding the assessment area, such as previous field evaluation reports, have also been consulted. All sources are listed in the bibliography.

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

3.4 Geological/Geotechnical Information

A description of the superficial and solid geology of the local and surrounding area was compiled in order to assess the likely presence and potential condition of any archaeological remains on the site. This information was drawn from appropriate maps published by the Geological Survey of Great Britain (BGS 1978, BGS 2015) and the Soil Survey of England and Wales (SSEW 1983).

3.5 Site Inspection

In the course of the desk-based assessment, a physical walkover of the site was undertaken on Tuesday 5th July 2016. The inspection had the following purposes: • to examine the areas of archaeological potential identified during the desk- based assessment; in particular, with a view to gauging the likely survival and condition of archaeological remains; and • to consider the significance of any above ground structures, historic buildings, and historic landscape features, and their potential impact on the proposed development.

4 THE EVIDENCE

4.1 Topography, Geology and Soils

4.1.1 The hamlet of Spellbrook is situated on the western bank of the River Stort, with the river forming the county boundary dividing Hertfordshire from Essex. The area surrounding the site has a varied relief, which forms part of the Stort Valley floodplain and slopes down noticeably towards the River Stort 250m to the east. The site lies at c. 55m AOD, with land sloping slightly down to the east. In addition, the site has a varied ground level, in particular the northern and western boundaries of the site consist of steep slopes downwards from the adjoining garage and London Road and both decline approximately 4m. The south-eastern section of the site also declines slightly to form the extant pond.

4.1.2 The historic landscape characterisation map for Hertfordshire describes the site as post-1950 enclosure. The solid geology of the Sawbridgeworth area comprises London Clay, overlain by a chalky till (BGS 2015). Soils in the vicinity are shown as belonging to the Melford Association, which are described as deep well drained fine loamy over clayey, coarse loamy over clayey soils (SSEW 1983).

4.1.3 There have been some previous archaeological investigation in the vicinity of the site. The results of recent evaluations at Thorley Hall Farm, Spellbrook House and Spellbrook Farm remain unpublished (HHERs EHT7850, EHT8266 & EHT8442). An archaeological evaluation at Thorley flood pound, which lies to the north-east of Spellbrook, consisted of two hand-dug test pits, both of which revealed alluvial clay (HHER EHT6961). One of the pits also encountered a thin horizon of silty peat. The only finds were in the disturbed layers, and included a Roman sherd and another possibly Roman, as well as a few post-medieval

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 pottery, brick and tile fragments. Furthermore, a geophysical survey of land at Whittington Way, which lies 1km to the north-north-west, recorded archaeological anomalies over much of the area (HHER EHT7720), but the subsequent watching brief revealed them to be entirely of geological origin (HHER EHT8263).

4.2 Archaeological and Historical Background

Prehistoric

4.2.1 The gravels of major river valleys such as the River Stort are known to have been preferentially settled in the early prehistoric period. The Stort Valley has produced archaeological evidence from the Palaeolithic period onwards, including a mammoth skull and numerous flint implements (Cooper 2005, 2). The earliest prehistoric evidence in the vicinity of the site comprises a Palaeolithic pointed hand-axe found at Wallbury and 500m to the east of the site (HER 3580). It was found in gravel dug from a field a little above the level of the River Stort, and immediately south of Wallbury Camp. A second Palaeolithic flint implement was found to the south of Wallbury and 650m to the site’s south-east (HER 3630).

4.2.2 A substantial area of late Bronze Age occupation is recorded further north- westwards at Thorley, whilst Thorley Street to the north has revealed a Bronze Age track way, enclosures and ring ditches. The local landscape in the Iron Age was dominated by the monumental presence of Wallbury Camp, a Scheduled hill fort 500m to the east of the site and on the opposite bank of the River Stort (HER 16) that was situated at a crossing point between the territories of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni. It comprises an impressive double banked and ditched earthwork enclosure covering an area of 1.3 hectares (Seddon & Bryant 1999).

4.2.3 The proximity of Wallbury Camp hill fort indicates the area was likely relatively intensely exploited during the Iron Age, with substantial evidence for Iron Age buildings and occupation recorded in close proximity to the north at Thorley Street, and a pit or ditch terminus containing late Bronze Age to early Iron Age pottery recorded to the north-west at Thorley (Barker 2003). Although no evidence of habitation has been found within the hill fort, a small cemetery situated almost 1km to the south-east of the site has indicated later Iron Age (c. 300BC - AD 50) occupation (HER 3592). The cremation cemetery was discovered during gravel extraction in 1875 - 1876 and more than 20 urns were discovered.

Romano-British

4.2.4 The local area maintained its importance into the Roman period, notably because of Stane Street, a major Roman road constructed in c.AD50, which passed the assessment site c. 5km to the north-west on an approximately east to west course. The settlement of Bishop’s Stortford developed along Stane Street during the Roman period, and the Stort Valley continued to be a fertile location for settlement as evidenced by a Roman settlement including rectangular timber buildings with mortar floors and an extensive ditch system at Thorley (Barker 2003). Sawbridgeworth also lies approximately at the mid-point between the

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

Roman settlements at Bishop’s Stortford and Harlow, the latter of which includes a large and internationally famous Roman temple (Seddon & Bryant 1999).

4.2.5 Extensive Romano-British evidence is also recorded at Sawbridgeworth, specifically Pishiobury Park and Rowney Lodge, where archaeological investigations in the 1930s yielded a late Romano-British cemetery of the 3rd - 4th century AD. Spellbrook itself it also noted for its Roman evidence, and possibly represents the substantial Roman settlement suggested in the vicinity by the cemetery at Rowney Lodge. Cropmark of large rectangular structure have also been identified to the south of Spellbrook and 800m to the south-south-west of the site, and may represent a Roman villa situated upon flat area of land above the Stort valley (HER 15790).

4.2.6 A second probable Roman villa or temple is known at Spellbrook Farm and 800m to the south-west of the site on the basis of finds of Roman building materials, coins and pottery (HER 6581). An amphora fragment and other pottery has been found on Essex side of the river to the south of Wallbury Camp and approximately 600m to the south-east of the site by a metal detectorist (HER 45612). A fragment of a probable tombstone, of 3rd century AD date and showing a small portion of a clothed male figure, was also apparently found at Spellbrook (HER 11813). Although noted as being found in close proximity to Wallbury Camp, the grid reference locates the findspot to 300m to the south-south-west of the site and in the vicinity of the complex of Spellbrook Farm again.

Anglo-Saxon

4.2.7 Evidence for Anglo-Saxon activity is virtually absent in the area and no Anglo-Saxon findspots are recorded in the vicinity of the site. Spellbrook is not listed in the Domesday Book and presumably formed part of the manor of Sawbridgeworth, which was valued at £60 per annum and was held by Asgar the Staller, who is known to have been responsible for Edward’s royal stables (Page 1912). The place-name Sawbridgeworth is thought to derive from the Old English ‘Sabrixteworde’ which means the ‘farm of Sæbeorht’, with Sæbeorht being an Anglo-Saxon name (Gover et al. 1938, 194). Thorley or Torlei, however, was held in the reign of Edward the Confessor by ‘Godid, a man of Asgar the Staller’ (Page 1912)

Medieval

4.2.8 The origins of Spellbrook are relatively unknown and there is little to suggest that it existed as a settlement of any notable size in the medieval period. It is likely Spellbrook developed as a stopping point on the road between Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford as the only medieval structure recorded in the vicinity of the site comprises the Grade II listed The Three Horseshoes public house, which is a late medieval timber-framed house (HER 31114). The medieval period is also attested by cropmarks of intersecting field boundaries, representing a coherent field system, which are associated with ridge and furrows, to the west of Spellbrook (HER 17576). Traces of field boundaries removed in the late 19th century to the north-east of Spellbrook are depicted as

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 cropmarks of a pair of parallel linear features and are judged to be medieval in date (HER 17577).

4.2.9 As with Sawbridgeworth as a whole, Spellbrook was presumably dominated by its agricultural nature in the medieval period, specifically the growing of saffron. Substantial amounts of the highly profitable saffron crocus were grown in the area, the stamens of which were used in the production of dye, as a culinary ingredient and as a medicine. However, the upland clays of the area were found to be particularly favourable for the growth of crops, and corn is known to have replaced saffron as the main crop prior to the 15th century (Page 1912, 332). The field-name Saffron Garden, which lies to the south-west of Spellbrook and is now arable, preserves the name of the ancient industry of saffron-growing (ibid.).

Post-medieval & later

4.2.10 The post-medieval period in the Spellbrook and Sawbridgeworth area as a whole is dominated by agricultural, a characteristic for East Hertfordshire in general that lingers to this day. Spellbrook Farm, the complex of which stands 200m to the south-west of the site, is Grade II listed and is described as 'a good period farmhouse', timber-framed and plastered. The rear range was built c. 1700, whilst in the early 18th century it was turned into a double-depth house with the construction of a parallel new front range (HER 12297). Thorley Wash Farmhouse, variously listed as Thorley Wash Grange, is also Grade II listed and dates to c. 1700 but stands over a cellar which is 16th century or earlier (HER 12296).

4.2.11 Documentary sources reveal that Spellbrook consisted of a settlement, beyond that of Spellbrook Farm, by the post-medieval period, as the hearth returns for Sawbridgeworth attest (NA Ref. E 179/121/349/6). The earliest known reference to Spellbrook dates to October 1670, when the hearth returns divide the 72 names and 74 hearths comprising Sawbridgeworth into separate lists for 'Highwicke, Spelbrooke and Sawbridgworth Towne'. Historic cartographic sources reveal the site of early modern, and possibly post-medieval, roadside buildings formerly stood along the London Road 300m to the south, and consisted of cottages, a public house and a milestone that were demolished and removed in the mid 20th century for road widening (HHER 31431). Over the country boundary in Essex, the post-medieval period is attested by the Grade II listed Hallingbury Mill, which was a water mill used for throwing and twisting silk located almost 1km to the site’s south-east (HER 3651).

4.2.12 Beyond its agricultural industry, Sawbridgeworth’s continuing prosperity into the early modern period was further ensured by its location beside the River Stort. The river, which is known to have been navigable until at least 1590, and which was canalised in 1769, gave easy access to the London markets (Seddon & Bryant 1999). Similarly Spellbrook lies alongside the Stort Navigation Canal and lends its name to Lock No. 3 running southwards from Bishop’s Stortford and a road bridge, which is built of brick with a blue brick coping inscribed Doulton & Co. (HER 5134). In the 18th century, a turnpike gate, where tolls were collected for the Hockerill Turnpike Trustees, was also established at Spellbrook (Page

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

1912). The Trust was created in 1744 to follow the course of the London Road, and initially the turnpike was located near the Greyhound Inn, by the blacksmith’s shop at Spellbrook (Seddon & Bryant 1999).

4.2.13 In 1827, Robert Clutterbuck mentions that the parish of Sawbridgeworth contained three hamlets, which were recorded as Town Quarter, Spelbrook Quarter and Highway Quarter (Page 1912). The area surrounding the site contains a number of Grade II listed dwellings dating to the late 17th – 19th century, yet the majority are located over the country boundary in Essex (see Appendix 1, below). The Northern and Eastern’s railway line, which lies to the immediate east of the site, from London to Cambridge reached Bishop’s Stortford in 1842 (HER 45227). Significantly, the railway is known to have reached Spellbrook earlier, in 1841, which led to the development of Spellbrook Station to the immediate east of the site. The HER database also refers to a 19th century well and pumping gear located in The Dell, possibly associated with the adjacent railway line (HER 18774). The modern period in Spellbrook is represented only by a sewage works at Little Hallingbury (HER 19785).

The site

4.2.14 As noted previously, to the immediate east of the site lies a railway line which runs between London and Cambridge. The HER database reveals that the site forms part of the former location of Spellbrook Station, which was a late 1830s railway station at the temporary head of the line to Bishop's Stortford (HER 18772). Evidence for the station is based almost solely on the Sawbridgeworth tithe map, which dates to 1839 and depicts a substantial building marked ‘Station’, with two small separate buildings and a dwelling house to the west (Fig. 6; see Section 4.3.2, below). The railway tracks from the south finish within the station building. The course of the line north of the station was already in place, on an embankment, but the tracks had not yet been laid.

4.2.15 The HER database also records that subsequent late 19th century Ordnance Survey maps (Figs. 7 & 8, see Section 4.3.3, below) depict the complete railway line, but Spellbrook Station, and the outbuildings and dwelling, had long since been demolished. The plot boundaries for the station to the west of the line survived, as did the triangular pond in the centre of the approach, and both features remain extant. The only survivor of the station was judged to be a railway milepost, and the possible remains of a platform.

4.2.16 A number of railway histories focussing upon Hertfordshire reveal that the origins of the railway line located to the immediate east of the site comprise an Act obtained by the Great Eastern Railway on 4th July 1836 (Cockman 1978; Gordon 1968; Mitchell 2012 & Paye 1981). James Walker had surveyed a route for a company known as the London, Cambridge and Yarmouth Railway, but the bill was presented in the name of the Northern & Eastern Railway. The Northern & Eastern Railway were restricted by Parliament to a route from Cambridge to London only, but failed to raise the capital for even this southern section.

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

4.2.17 The railway was built to a gauge of five foot and travelled 24½ miles through the parish of Sawbridgeworth. The first train left Shoreditch (later known as Bishopsgate) for Broxbourne on 15th September 1840 (Cockman 1978). Further progress was made to Spellbrook by 22nd November 1841, and trains began using Bishop’s Stortford on 16th May 1842. The temporary terminus at Spellbrook therefore only existed from 22nd November 1841 until 16th May 1842 (Mitchell 2012). Very little more is known about Spellbrook Station and its associated buildings situated within the site, possibly directly as a result of its short life-span. Its existence pre-dates widespread photography, and no plans for the station could be located. It can only be presumed that the two buildings located towards the centre of the site were associated with the railway, whilst the dwelling shown in 1839 in the site’s south-western corner likely housed the station-master.

4.2.18 Owing to financial difficulties, the Northern & Eastern Railway Company leased their railway to the Eastern Counties Railway as from 1st January 1844. In autumn 1844, the railway line was converted from its five foot gauge to the standard gauge of 4’ 8½”, at a cost of £1,000 a mile (Cockman 1978). The Eastern Counties Railway became part of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862 (Mitchell 2012), and limited records for the Great Eastern Railway at Spellbrook survive for the period 1898 - 1899 (NA Ref. MT 6/873/2), yet do not refer to the former railway station. The Great Eastern Railway became part of the London & North Eastern Railway in 1923, which later formed much of the Eastern Region of British Railways upon nationalisation in 1948 (Mitchell 2012).

4.3 Cartographic Evidence

County maps

4.3.1 The earliest cartographic source to depict the site comprises Dury and Andrews’s map of Hertfordshire, which dates to 1766 (Fig. 4). In 1766, the site lay to the east of the main thoroughfare through Spellbrook, yet west of the meandering course of the River Stort. It also lay to the north of the depicted settlement at Spellbrook, which appeared to consist of approximately five structures located on either side of the north to south aligned road. The site is judged to have comprised undeveloped agricultural land located to the east of a large, yet unidentified farm or dwelling. In contrast, Bryant’s map of Hertfordshire, which dates to 1822, was drawn to a much smaller scale and does not depict the site in any more significant detail (Fig. 5). The settlement of Spellbrook, however, was depicted as significantly larger, with development along both Spellbrook Lane West and Dell Lane.

Sawbridgeworth tithe map, 1839

4.3.2 The next cartographic source to depict the site comprises the Sawbridgeworth tithe map, which dates to 1839 (Fig. 6; Ref. DSA4/93/2). The tithe map reveals that Spellbrook lay at the northern extent of the parish of Sawbridgeworth, and comprised a small spur of land nested between the parishes of Thorley and Hallingbury. In 1839, the site lay to the north of the village of Spellbrook, to the immediate east of the main thoroughfare, and west of

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 the River Stort. To the immediate south of the site lay ‘Great Common’. As noted previously, the tithe map is significant in that it is the first and only cartographic sources to depict the Station at Spellbrook, which lay to the immediate east of the site.

4.3.3 In 1839, the station comprised a substantial building located at the temporary head of the line to Bishop's Stortford. The accompanying tithe award reveals that the route of the railway line (#1a) was owned by ‘The Northern and Eastern Railway Company’ and described as ‘The Remainder of Railroad in the parish’ (see Appendix 3, below). In contrast, the site consisted of a single, adjoining plot of land (#1309), which covered an area of 3 acres 2 roods 20 perches. It was also owned by ‘The Northern and Eastern Railway Company’, but described as ‘Spellbrook Station’, yet names no reference to either the two small separate buildings located towards the centre of the site, or the dwelling depicted (in red) in the site’s south-western corner. The tithe map also depicts the extant pond in the south-eastern section of the site.

1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1887

4.3.4 The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, which dates to 1887, is the earliest cartographic source to depict the closure and loss of ‘Spellbrook Station’, and its associated three buildings formerly located within the site (Fig. 7). In 1887, the site still lay to the north of the village of Spellbrook, to the immediate east of the main thoroughfare, and west of the River Stort. The 1887 map does not depict the former ‘Great Common’ to the south of the site, rather it has been replaced by an ‘Old Gravel Pit’ running southwards from the site’s southern boundary. To the immediate east of the site in 1887 lay the line of the Great Eastern Railway, which extended to Bishop’s Stortford and Cambridge beyond. No evidence for the former station is depicted, and it appears that the two small separate buildings located towards the centre of the site, and the dwelling depicted in the site’s south-western corner, were also demolished and razed by 1887. Instead, the 1887 map depicts the site as arable or derelict land dominated only by the pond and a small enclosure in its south-eastern corner.

2nd edition Ordnance Survey map, 1898

4.3.5 The 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map, which dates to 1898 (Fig. 8), depicts no significant change or development of the site or its immediate vicinity. The ‘Old Gravel Pit’ remained beyond the site’s southern boundary and to the immediate east of the site in lay the line of the Great Eastern Railway. No evidence for the former station or its three associated buildings is depicted, and the site consisted of a single plot (#865) covering an area of 9.967 acres. In 1898, the site was again depicted as arable or derelict land dominated only by the pond and a small enclosure in its south-eastern corner.

3rd edition Ordnance Survey map, 1921

4.3.6 The 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map, which dates to 1921 (Fig. 9), depicts no significant change or development of the site or its immediate vicinity. As previously, the ‘Old Gravel Pit’ remained beyond the site’s southern boundary

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 and to the immediate east of the site in lay the line of the Great Eastern Railway. No evidence for the former station or its three associated buildings is depicted, and the site consisted of a single plot (#14). In 1921, the site was again depicted as arable or derelict land dominated only by the pond. However, the former enclosure in its south-eastern corner of the site was no longer depicted, whilst a small shed or building had been established along the site’s northern boundary.

Ordnance Survey map, 1958

4.3.7 The 1958 Ordnance Survey map (Fig. 10) again depicts no significant change or development of the site. As previously, the ‘Old Gravel Pit’ remained beyond the site’s southern boundary and to the immediate east of the site in lay the line of the railway. No evidence for the former station or its three associated buildings is depicted, and the site consisted of a single plot (#14). In 1958, the site was again depicted as arable or derelict land dominated only by the pond.

Ordnance Survey map, 1975

4.3.7 The final historic cartographic source to depict the site comprises the 1975 Ordnance Survey map (Fig. 11). As previously, the former gravel pit remained beyond the site’s southern boundary and to the immediate east of the site in lay the line of the railway. No evidence for the former station or its three associated buildings is depicted, and the site consisted of a single plot (#7782), which covered an area of 0.975 hectares or 2.41 acres. In 1975, the site was again depicted as arable or derelict land dominated only by the pond and the aforementioned small shed or building had been established along the site’s northern boundary. However, the 1975 map is also significant in that it is the only historic cartographic source to depict the steep slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site.

4.4 Constraints

Listed Buildings – No listed buildings are recorded within the site, but the Grade II listed The Three Horseshoes public house, which is a late medieval timber- framed house (HER 31114), and a number of post-medieval and later structures are recorded in Spellbrook.

Registered Park and Gardens – No registered park and gardens are recorded in the area surrounding the site.

Area of Archaeological Importance – The site lies within an Area of Archaeological Significance, as designated by the East Herts Local Plan, which is associated with Wallbury Iron Age hill fort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument located over the county boundary in Essex and 500m to the east of the site.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments – The site is not within a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), but Wallbury Iron Age hill fort lies 500m to the east.

Conservation Areas – The site does not lie within a designated conservation area.

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

5 SITE VISIT

5.1 A physical walkover of the site was undertaken on Tuesday 5th July 2016. The western boundary of the site is formed by the A1184 London Road, and the site’s eastern boundary is demarcated by a north to south aligned West Anglia Mainline railway (DP 1). To the immediate north of the site, and beyond a steep slope, stands a Suzuki car dealership garage (DP 2), with residential dwellings, including The Haven, fronting London Road to the south.

5.2 During the course of the site visit, the site was very overgrown with vegetation, trees and fallen trees, often over 1m in height to such an extent that it was not possible to survey much of the site (DPs 3 – 5). However, it was possible to reach the pond located in the south-eastern section of the site, which was also very overgrown (DP 6). The site has a varied ground level, in particular the northern and western boundaries of the site consist of steep slopes downwards from the adjoining garage and London Road and both decline approximately 4m.

5.3 In the northern section of the site stands a derelict wooden railway wagon (DPs 7 & 8), which may be a remnant of the former Spellbrook Station. A metal storage shed or small structure also lay in the northern section of the site close to the wagon (DP 9), whilst an overgrown wooden structure, possibly built from two disused railway wagons, also stands in the northern section of the site and in the same vicinity as the shed or building depicted by Ordnance Survey maps in 1921 and 1975 (DP 10). At the centre of the site lay a notable area of less overgrown vegetation with a varied ground level (DPs 11 & 12). The same area is in the vicinity of the two buildings depicted by the 1839 tithe map and contained buried metal tanks, containers and large buckets sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material (DPs 13 – 16).

6 DISCUSSION

6.1 The Impact of the Proposed Development

6.1.1 The proposed development for the site is for a new residential redevelopment, comprising a mix of terraced/semi-detached, detached and eco houses (Fig. 13).

6.1.2 The proposed properties will be raised above the existing ground level to minimise the risk of flooding through surface water by effectively piling the site and siting the ground floor of the houses above the existing ground level. In addition, any area of hard landscape will be designed in accordance with the principals of Sustainable Urban Drainage (Fig. 13). The planning proposals will also incorporate an access road from the south-western corner of the site, retention of the pond and established trees in the eastern section of the site, as well as gardens and car parking spaces for each of the proposed dwellings.

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

6.2 Previous Ground Disturbance

6.2.1 Previous ground disturbance at the site is judged to be extensive, and it is likely that the underlying stratigraphy is heavily truncated. The stratigraphy will have been disturbed by the construction of the railway station, the three associated buildings and related services before 1839. Any evidence of the station and its associated building had been lost by the time of the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1887 and later cartographic sources depict no further development within the site. Although extensive, any previous ground disturbance will have been limited to the construction of Spellbrook Station and its subsequent demolition in c.1842. Truncation associated with the railway and station, particularly in the eastern section of the site, is likely to have destroyed any underlying remains, were they to exist.

6.2.2 It is unclear whether the steep slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site, as well as its varied ground level as a whole, are indicative of its natural relief or evidence of previous extensive truncation. The slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site are not depicted on historic cartographic sources until the 1975 Ordnance Survey map, but that may be due to cartographic style, rather than evidence of their absence prior to the late 20th century. Although the exact land use of the site since 1842 remains unknown, there is little to suggest that the site was subject to quarrying or gravel extraction as depicted by an ‘Old Gravel Pit’ to the immediate south of the site from 1887 onwards. However, the pond within the site has remained constant within the site since at least 1839 and thus had quarry taken place within the site to create the steep slopes, it must have occupied prior to the railway station.

6.2.3 The centre of the site is known to have been subject to extensive previous ground disturbance on the basis of the buried metal tanks, containers and large buckets found sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material during the course of the site visit. The same area is known to be in the vicinity of the two buildings depicted by the 1839 tithe map. The centre of the site as a whole comprises a notable area of less overgrown vegetation with a varied ground level, all of which may be indicative of further truncation. However, the date of the truncation, and specifically the sinking of the metal contains remains unknown, but must post-date 1842.

6.3 Archaeological Potential

6.3.1 Based on the known archaeology the potential of the site may be judged as follows:

Prehistoric – Moderate. The gravels associated with the River Stort have yielded Palaeolithic artefacts, whilst the Scheduled Iron Age hill fort of Wallbury Camp lies 500m to the east.

Roman – Low to moderate. Two possible Roman villas have been suggested in Spellbrook, but some distance to the south-west.

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019

Saxon – Low. No Anglo-Saxon finds are recorded in the Spellbrook area surrounding the site.

Medieval – Low. Medieval remains are limited to the Grade II listed The Three Horseshoes public house, and evidence for extinct field boundaries.

Post-Medieval – Low. Historic cartographic sources reveal that the site consisted of undeveloped agricultural land.

7 CONCLUSION

7.1 The site is located within an Area of Archaeological Significance, which is associated with Wallbury Iron Age hill fort. Based on the known archaeological evidence, the site has a generally limited potential for archaeological remains, but a moderate potential for prehistoric finds. In particular, the gravels associated with the River Stort have yielded Palaeolithic artefacts, and the Scheduled Iron Age hill fort of Wallbury Camp lies 500m to the east. The site is also located in the Stort Valley and thus, if prehistoric archaeological remains are present, the site has the potential to extend our understanding of settlement and activity within the immediate vicinity of these monumental, focal nuclei in the prehistoric landscape.

7.2 The site has a high potential for early modern find or features associated with the railway, and the former 'Spellbrook Station'. The railway reached Spellbrook on 22nd November 1841, and trains began using Bishop’s Stortford on 16th May 1842. However, the station building was not located within the site, but to its immediate east in the area now occupied by the railway line. The station must therefore has only existed from its construction c. 1839, on the basis of the tithe map, until the line was extended northwards in 1842. The 1839 tithe map reveals that the site was occupied by a primary building association with the station, and presumably the station-master's house. It stood in the south-western corner of the site, but the area was far too over grown during the site visit.

7.3 In 1839, two further buildings stood towards the centre of the site, and were presumably associated with the station and railway. During the site visit, the same area of the site was found to contain a number of metal tanks, containers and large buckets sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material. Previous ground disturbance within the site is therefore judged to be extensive, specifically in relation to the construction of Spellbrook Station, its demolition, and the sinking of the metal containers. Despite the steep slopes along the northern and western boundaries of the site, the exact land use of the site since 1842 remains unknown, yet there is little to suggest that the site was subject to quarrying or gravel extraction.

7.4 The site has been much truncated in the past. The proposed properties will be raised above the existing ground level to minimise the risk of flooding through surface water by effectively piling the site and siting the ground floor of the houses above the existing ground level. Its impact on archaeological remains, if present, may be minimal and a mitigation strategy will be agreed in

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU ©Archaeological Solutions 2019 consultation with the local Archaeological Advisor (Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Advisory Team), if this is required.

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Archaeological Solutions would like to thank GSC Planning for commissioning the desk-based assessment on behalf of the client Mrs. Ran Yeo.

AS is pleased to acknowledge the staff of Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HHER), in particular Dr. Isobel Thompson, and Ms. Maria Medlycott at the Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER). AS would also like to thank the staff of the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Library (HALS).

9 BIBLIOGRAPHY

British Geological Survey (BGS) 2015 British Geological Survey, Geology of Britain Viewer, http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) 2017 Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Reading

Cockman, F. G. 1978 The Railways of Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire Library Service, Hertford

Cooper, J. 2005 Bishops Stortford: A History. Phillimore, Chichester

DLP Planning Ltd 2016 Pre-application Report; Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire, CM23 4AU. DLP Planning Ltd unpublished report No. H5010P

Gordon, D. I. 1968 A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain. Volume 5. The Eastern Counties. David & Charles (Publishers Limited, Newton Abbot

Gover, J., Mawer, A. & Stenton, F. 1938 The Place Names of Hertfordshire. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Gurney, D. 2003 Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Papers 14/ALGAO

Mitchell, V. 2012 Broxbourne to Cambridge. Middleton Press

Morris, J. (ed) 1983 Domesday Book compiled by direction of King William I 1086, Winchester, Essex. Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd

Page, W. (ed) 1912 Victoria History of the County of Hertford. Volume III. Dawsons, London

Paye, P. 1981 The Bishop’s Stortford, Dunmow & Braintree Branch. Oxford Publishing Co., Oxford

Seddon, V. & Bryant, S. 1999 Sawbridgeworth: Extensive Urban Survey Project Assessment Report. Hertfordshire County Council, Hertford

Soil Survey of England and Wales (SSEW) 1983 Legend for the 1:250,000 Soil Map of England and Wales. SSEW, Harpenden

Yeo, R. 2016 Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Herts. Pre Application Assessment. Kiran Curtis Associates (KCA) Architects unpublished report No. 0459

WEB RESOURCES http://www.ads.ahds.ac.uk http://www.british-history.ac.uk https://www.historicengland.org.uk/

APPENDIX 1 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD (HER) DATA

The following sites are those that lie within a 1km radius of the site. The table has been compiled from data held by the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HHER) and the Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER).

HER NGR TL Description Prehistoric 16 4927 1786 Wallbury Camp is an Iron Age hillfort. On the end of a spur overlooking the Stort valley on the west, was formerly flanked by marshes to north and south. Double rampart, the outer bank is discontinuous on the west, possibly it was never strong here. At the north east and south east bends there are traces of a second, shallow ditch beyond the outer bank. Of 5 gaps in the defences, the RCHM thought there were 2 original entrances, in the west and east sides. There is a spring below the south west corner. Late iron age cordoned urns have been found in the area, 3 being preserved in Little Hallingbury Church (see TL41-009, 3592, TL51-084, 4435) <1> <2> <3> Excavated 19591960. It was found that the inner rampart had been reconstructed at least once and evidence for timber lacing was found. The outer defences were slighter. Glass and pottery were found in the ditch <4> Occupies end of a spur of the 200ft contour. Roughly pear shaped, has an area of 31 acres, with a double rampart. An old excavation trench, presumably part of the 1959 trial trenches, remains at TL 49231170 <5> The 1959-1960 excavations produced Iron Age 'C' pottery from the silting of the ditch between the rampart. Two periods of construction were indicated, with both early iron age and Belgic occupation internally <6> Cremation cemetery of Aylesford-Swarling type to the south (see TL41-009, 3592, TL52-084, 4435). "The fortification is of great strength and it must have lain on the Trinovantian-Catuvellaunian border". From the cemetery "it is best seen as a minor 'oppidum' of the Trinovantes, at least in the post-Caesarian period". With Wheathampstead it is a candidate for the site of Cassivellaunus' oppidum 3580 492 178 Palaeolithic implement found at Wallbury comprising "A pointed hand-axe in mint condition was found in gravel dug from a field a little above the level of the River Stort, immediately south of Wallbury Camp 3592 4948 1649 Late Iron Age cremation cemetery discovered during gravel extraction 1875- 1876 to the north-east of South House Farm. More than 20 urns were discovered. 3 are preserved in Little Hallingbury Church and 1 is in Colchester Museum. 2 more urns were discovered in 1937 by Mr C N Roberts 3630 4928 1754 Palaeolithic flint implement found south of Wallbury

Romano-British 6581 483 172 Roman building materials, coins and pottery found at Spellbrook Farm. Coins date mainly to the period 300-330 AD 11813 485 175 A fragment of a probable tombstone, of 3rd century AD date, showing a small portion of a clothed male figure. Apparently found at Spellbrook, in close proximity to Wallbury camp 15790 48500 17012 Cropmark of large rectangular structure which may be a Roman villa. The cropmark appears to be of a large rectangular building, about 50 x 20m; it sits on a comparatively flat area of land above the Stort valley 45612 49 17 Amphora fragment and other pottery found on Essex side of the river to the south of Wallbury Camp by a metal detectorist Medieval 17576 48006 17661 Cropmarks of intersecting field boundaries, representing a coherent field system to the west of Spellbrook. Ghosts of ridge and furrow indicate a medieval date 17577 4834 1815 Traces of field boundaries removed in the late 19th century to the north-east of Spellbrook. Cropmarks of a pair of parallel linear features about 12m apart, running SW-NE and with a right-angle return NW after about 70m. These features are historic field boundaries, shown extant on the 1839 tithe map. By 1890 they had been cleared to form a much larger field 31114 48777 17500 The Three Horseshoes public house is a Grade II listed late medieval timber-framed house, now a public house Post-medieval 12296 4866 1828 Grade II listed Thorley Wash Farmhouse, listed as Thorley Wash Grange, dates to c.1700 but stands over a cellar which is 16th century or earlier. It is a large square double-pile house, two storeys with attics and the cellar, timber-framed and plastered with tile roof, ‘a fine house clearly showing domestic changes over three centuries’ 12297 4860 1750 Grade II listed Spellbrook Farm is ‘a good period farmhouse’, timber-framed and plastered. The rear range was built c.1700, with one room on each side of a central stair on each of the three floors. In the early 18th century it was turned into a double-depth house with the construction of a parallel new front range. It has two storeys and attics, with M-shaped end gables. Areas of panelled chevron pargetting survive under a lean-to brick scullery on the north flank; the south gable end is weatherboarded 3651 4958 1700 Grade II listed Hallingbury Mill was a water mill used for throwing and twisting silk. This is the site of a water powered corn mill which is recorded in 1720 as being used for silk throwing and twisting

Early Modern 5134 4897 1756 Road bridge, over the River Stort by Wallbury Camp. Built of brick with a blue brick coping inscribed ‘Doulton & Co’. Width c.3.9m. Adjacent bridge over Stort Navigation is in Essex 18772 48839 17834 Late 1830s railway station at temporary head of the line to Bishop’s Stortford. The 1839 Sawbridgeworth tithe map shows here a substantial building marked STATION, with two small separate buildings and a dwelling house between it and the London road to the west lining the approach. The railway tracks from the south finish within the station building. The course of the line north of the station was already in place, on an embankment, but the tracks had not yet been laid. This is the Stort valley line via Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford. The 1880s OS map shows the complete line, but Spellbrook station, and the outbuildings, had long since been demolished. The plot boundaries west of the line survived, as did the triangular pond in the centre of the approach. The only survivor of the station was a railway milepost. The pond is still there, in the centre of trees and scrub which fill the plot. There may also be remains of a platform 18774 48790 18005 Remains of a 19th century ell and pumping gear located in The Dell, possibly associated with the adjacent railway line 31431 48655 17552 Site of early modern, and possibly post-medieval, roadside buildings along the London Road, comprising cottages, a public house and a milestone (26 miles from London), demolished in the mid 20th century for road widening 37864 4987 1721 Grade II listed Gaston House is a late 18th century red brick house located in Little Hallingbury 37866 4981 1719 Grade II listed The Stables at Gaston House was a late 18th to early 19th century stables, later converted to a house and located in Little Hallingbury 37867 4984 1720 Grade II listed West Wing at Gaston House is a late 18th to early 19th century red brick house located in Little Hallingbury 37869 4985 1708 Grade II listed Gaston Cottage is a 16th century or earlier timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury 37870 4986 1708 Grade II listed iron pump, which dates to the 19th century, immediately east of Gaston Cottage located in Little Hallingbury 37871 4987 1707 Grade II listed Markells is a 17th century timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury 37872 4987 1689 Grade II listed Hop Poles is a 16th, 18th and 19th century timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury 37873 4982 1802 Grade II listed George Green Cottage is a 17th century timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury

37874 4985 1807 Grade II listed George Green House is an early 19th century red brick house located in Little Hallingbury 37875 4977 1809 Grade II listed Bonningtons is a 17th century timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury 37876 4983 1810 Grade II listed The George is a 17th century timber framed public house located in Little Hallingbury 37880 4985 1869 Grade II listed Latchmore Bank Farmhouse is a 16th century timber framed farmhouse located in Little Hallingbury 37907 4913 1797 Grade II listed barn adjacent to left of Wallbury Dells Cottage, which comprises a 17th – 18th century aisled barn located in Little Hallingbury 37908 4913 1804 Grade II listed Wallbury Dells Farmhouse is a 17th – 18th century timber framed house located in Little Hallingbury 45227 4434 1515 The Northern and Eastern’s railway line from London to Cambridge reached Bishop’s Stortford in 1842. Roydon station was designed by Francis Thompson c. 1844, it had a curved portico on the road frontage and a fretted platform canopy (removed 1971) Modern 19785 4948 1749 Sewage works at Little Hallingbury Undated 17575 4816 1782 Cropmark of a ditched enclosure to the west of Spellbrook. There is some indication of sub-division and internal features, including pits and a possible ring ditch 19787 491 168 Cropmarks of uncertain features at Tednambury Farm, River Stort 3588 492 175 Undated bone bead found at Lock Farm

APPENDIX 2 CARTOGRAPHIC SOURCES

Date Description Fig. No. Scale Location 1766 Dury and Andrews’s map of Hertfordshire 4 1 mile : AS 1.95 inches 1822 Bryant’s map of Hertfordshire 5 7/8 mile : 1 AS inch 1839 Sawbridgeworth tithe map 6 - HALS 1887 Hertfordshire sheet XXXI.2; 1st edition 7 25”:1 mile HALS Ordnance Survey map 1898 Hertfordshire sheet XXXI.2; 2nd edition 8 25”:1 mile HALS Ordnance Survey map 1921 Hertfordshire sheet XXXI.2; 3rd edition 9 25”:1 mile HALS Ordnance Survey map 1958 Sheet TL41; Ordnance Survey map 10 6”:1 mile HALS 1975 Sheet TL 4817 - 4917; Ordnance Survey 11 1:2,500 HALS map

Railway Meadow, London Road, Spellbrook, Herts, CM23 4AU APPENDIX 3 SAWBRIDGEWORTH TITHE APPORTIONMENT, 1838

Plot No. Owner Occupier Plot name Land use Area (a.r.p) Tithe (l.s.d.)* Tithe (l.s.d.)+

1a The Northern The The Remainder of - 19 acres 4 perches £2 3s. 9d. £3 8s. 9d. and Eastern Company Railroad in the parish Railway Company 1306 Sarah Lyles John Lyles Great Brooms Arable 3 acres 3 roods 36 2s. 5d. 19s. 7d. Part of perches Spellbrook Farm 1307 William Walford William Meadow Grass 1 acre 7 perches 1s. 4d. 1s. 4d. Whitehead 1308 Samuel William Further Mead Grass 1 acre 2 roods 8 2s. 5d. 2s. 5d. Whitehead Whitehead perches 1309 The Northern The Spellbrook Station - 3 acres 2 roods 20 7s. 7s. 1d. and Eastern Company perches Railway Company

* Payable to the Vicar + Payable to the Appropriate Rector

PHOTOGRAPHIC INDEX

1 2 Eastern boundary of the site, comprising a two- Northern boundary of the site comprising a steep strand wire fence beside the mainline railway, view slope up towards the Suzuki car dealership garage, east view north

3 4 Western section of the site, which as a whole was Central section of the site, which as a whole was very overgrown with vegetation, trees and fallen very overgrown with vegetation, trees and fallen trees, view east trees, view east

5 6 Northern section of the site, which as a whole was Pond located in the south-eastern section of the very overgrown with vegetation, trees and fallen site, which was very over-grown with vegetation, trees, view south trees and fallen trees, view south-east

7 8 Derelict wooden railway wagon located in the Interior of the derelict wooden railway wagon northern section of the site, view south located in the northern section of the site

9 10 Metal storage shed or small structure located in the Overgrown wooden structure, possibly built from northern section of the site two disused railway wagons located in the northern section of the site, view north

11 12 Centre of the site comprised an area of less over- Centre of the site comprised an area of less overgrown vegetation with a varied ground level, view grown vegetation with a varied ground level, view north west

13 14 Area of buried metal containers located in the Area of buried metal tanks, containers and larger centre of the site buckets sunk into the ground and covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material

15 16 Area of buried metal containers covered with metal Area of buried metal containers covered with metal sheeting and waste/burnt material sheeting and waste/burnt material

SITE

Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Archaeological Solutions Ltd Survey 1:25000 map with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.Ó Crown copyright Fig. 1 Site location plan Archaeological Solutions Ltd Scale 1:25,000 at A4 Licence number 100036680 Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728)

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 4 Dury and Andrews’ map of Hertfordshire, 1766 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 5 Bryant’s map of Hertfordshire, 1822 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 6 Tithe map, 1839 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 7 OS map, 1887 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N SITE

Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 8 OS map, 1898 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 9 OS map, 1921 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 10 OS map, 1958 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728) N

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Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 11 OS map, 1975 Not to scale Railway Meadow, Spellbrook, Hertfordshire (P6728)