What on earth is this?

Looks to me like part of the ivy putting out new little roots so that it can cling on to a wall or other plant.
Mind you, I could be wrong....I often am!

Dh also thinks its ivy.

It's The chrysalis of the Lesser Spooted Ivy moth. They are quite often mistaken for new ivy roots flo as this camouflage protects them from predators, such as the Greater Ivy Moth and badgers. I think, due to their rarity, they are protected under the Diversity of Species Act 2014 so best you leave them to hatch or you're liable to a fine of £1000 or 6 months in jail.

Just in case you think I'm not serious here is The Link to it - though this gives the Latin name

anya Impressed !

Good!

Me too!

Wow Anya!

hmmm...would still go with ivy!!

It's ivy when it's old and been left to grow for years. Had some growing up my house just the same as that.

You could ask your neighbour - they may have spent years either trying to get of it or trying to get it to grow.

Its Ivy mine looks just like that when I clear away some of the leaves..

Ditto ....

My vote goes for ivy after seeing what was left when old ivy was removed from a huge tree.

The older creepers of ivy, especially the dried bits left after pruning from the roots.

We have ivy roots just like that Greyduster.

Ivy roots. Best view is the background root in the second picture.

Yes, ivy roots or suckers

Not The Lesser Spotted Ivy moth chrysalis

Find out if it is attached to something else or if its roots go down into the ground. If it is a chrysalis it will be short.

And leave it be

Wow, guys! I am very impressed. I thought we might be struggling! Anya I would love to think it was a protected species of moth, but since it is a horrible tangle of creepers, I think I'm inclined to accept that it may be ivy, though where the end of it and therefore the foliage is I can't be sure. I'd like to get rid of it. I don't at the moment know if it originates in our garden or our n.d.n, or the house at the back of us which is rented but I think it's empty at the moment. The area we are clearing is such a mess that it is going to take us a while to find out what we are up against. Many thanks for your input - you have saved me a lot of time poring over internet sites! If it does turn out to be one of Anya's moths I think jail could be the safest place to be, because it could be a b****y big 'un!!

We gave in because no-one behind us seemed to do anything and it all became such hard work, so we put a fence up and lost a couple of feet of garden.