Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Hillfort north of Burcombe Wood

A Scheduled Monument in North Poorton, Dorset

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.7871 / 50°47'13"N

Longitude: -2.694 / 2°41'38"W

OS Eastings: 351175.097301

OS Northings: 98842.312987

OS Grid: SY511988

Mapcode National: GBR ML.ZP9N

Mapcode Global: FRA 5770.J8X

Entry Name: Hillfort N of Burcombe Wood

Scheduled Date: 30 August 1960

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1002839

English Heritage Legacy ID: DO 432

County: Dorset

Civil Parish: North Poorton

Traditional County: Dorset

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Dorset

Church of England Parish: Powerstock with West Milton Witherstone and North Porton St Mary The Virgin

Church of England Diocese: Salisbury

Summary

Defensive enclosure 640m WNW of Burcombe.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 19 January 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a defensive enclosure situated on the summit of a steeply sloping and prominent spur between two tributaries to the Mangerton River. The defensive enclosure survives as a roughly triangular enclosed area of approximately 0.3ha defined by a largely backfilled transverse ditch across the spur at the western end with a slight rampart bank of up to 0.5m high and scarps on the remaining sides which stand up to 7m high. Within the enclosure is an irregular mound of up to 0.5m high. There is an entrance on the eastern side. The exact date and function of the enclosure is unknown although dates between the Iron Age and medieval periods have been suggested and the topographic position strongly implies a strategic function.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

The defensive enclosure 640m WNW of Burcombe occupies a strongly defensive and strategic position although its exact date is unclear. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, date, function, strategic significance and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:-450760

Source: Historic England

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.