Eastwood Avenue, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 9DN

March Sconce

Earthworks

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3.5

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

Historic townHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

3.5

A low earthwork in March preserves the outline of a Civil War fortification built to help defend the fenland frontier.

March Sconce is a modest, easily overlooked earthwork rather than a grand ruin. Its interest lies in reading a rare surviving Civil War fieldwork in its fenland setting and imagining the defensive network it belonged to. Access to the monument itself is unconfirmed, so check before making a visit.

Atmospheric

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Eastwood Avenue, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 9DN

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The experience

A short, history-led stop for visitors interested in earthworks and the Civil War. The monument’s setting and public access are not sufficiently documented to recommend a route or extended visit.

Things to do

Look for the sconce’s rectangular platform

Historic England describes a low platform aligned east–west, approximately 60 metres long and 35 metres wide. Viewing or entering the site is subject to access being confirmed.

Under 1 hour

Picture the Civil War defences

The sconce is identified as a fieldwork from the English Civil War. Historic England explains that fieldworks used banks and ditches for protection or gun positions; the March example formed part of a wider regional defensive strategy.

Notice the earlier landscape beneath it

Historic England records medieval cultivation earthworks overlain by the sconce, evidence of earlier farming and successive use of the site.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour, if access is confirmed

Read the earthwork

01
Check access arrangements before setting out; the available sources do not confirm public entry.
02
If access is permitted, look for the low rectangular platform described by Historic England.
03
Consider how the fortification overlies earlier cultivation earthworks.

Verified history

March Sconce is a scheduled monument described by Historic England as an English Civil War fieldwork. The listing states that the surviving earthwork preserves evidence of its design and construction and that its form reflects continental military ideas adapted to English conditions. Its position relates to the defence of the fenland frontier of the Eastern Association. The monument also overlies medieval cultivation earthworks, evidence of an earlier farming landscape. Historic England records the site as first listed on 14 January 1972, with an amendment dated 3 January 1997.

Hidden details

Earlier cultivation earthworks — Medieval cultivation earthworks are recorded beneath the sconce, showing that the site was used before the Civil War fortification was built.

Buried archaeological evidence — Historic England says the platform and surrounding ditch are expected to preserve buried evidence, including remains associated with temporary structures and artefacts. These are archaeological remains, not features to excavate or disturb.

When to go

· No source-supported preferred time.

The available sources give no seasonal visiting guidance.

Check local conditions and access arrangements before visiting.

What to look for

01
Historic England describes a low rectangular platform, about 60 by 35 metres, aligned east–west. It also notes earlier medieval cultivation earthworks overlain by the fortification
02
some archaeological remains survive buried below ground.

The story

English Civil War fieldworks; medieval cultivation earthworks

Best time to go

No season-specific advantage is established by the available sources.

No preferred time of day is established by the available sources.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

History lovers

Before you go

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Address

Eastwood Ave, March PE15 9DN

Website

historicengland.org.uk

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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Google rating

5.0 · 1 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The monument is identified as a field in the Town End area, south of Eastwood Avenue. Public access to the earthworks is not confirmed; check before visiting and do not enter private land or restricted areas. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

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Parking

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Toilets

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Food & drink

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