Weybourne Hope Beach Defence

Has been described as a Possible Linear Defence or Dyke

There are no visible remains

NameWeybourne Hope Beach Defence
Alternative NamesWabourne; Wauburne-hope
Historic CountryNorfolk
Modern AuthorityNorfolk
1974 AuthorityNorfolk
Civil ParishCley Next The Sea; Salthouse; Weybourne

During the invasion scare of 1587, Edmund Yorke drew up a comprehensive plan for the defence of Weybourne Hope, a two-mile stretch of land between Weybourne and Cley, which was regarded as particularly vulnerable to invasion from the sea. These included an elaborate rampart from Weybourne Fort to a point which appears to be near North Foreland. It was an odd mixture of tenaille trace and large, obtuse-angled bastions with orillons. The most remarkable features were the recessed chambers in the curtain adjoining the bastions, angled to flank the faces of the bastion. A rampart was undoubtedly started, but it is unlikely that it was constructed in the intended form. There is no evidence of the works on the ground. Yorke's plan shows that the rampart was intended to follow the high ground backing Salthouse Marsh, the line possibly being approximated by the modern coast road. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The Line was intended to go from Black Joy Fort to Weybourne Fort Given map reference is Black Joy Fort the western end.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTG046451
Latitude52.9646186828613
Longitude1.04635000228882
Eastings604650
Northings345100
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Hooton, J.J., 1996, Glaven Ports: Maritime History of Blakeney, Cley and Wiveton in North Norfolk (Blakeney History Group)
  • Kent, Peter, 1988, Fortifications of East Anglia (Lavenham: Ternence Dalton)

Antiquarian

Other

  • David Robertson with Peter Crawley, Adam Barker and Sandrine Whitmore, 2005, Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey (Norfolk Archaeological Unit Report No. 1045 for English Heritage) fig. 26 online copy