Woolsbarrow Hillfort

Woolsbarrow Hillfort
Trig point on top of the hillfort
Location Dorset
Region England
Coordinates 50°43′53.07″N 2°9′10.96″W / 50.7314083°N 2.1530444°W / 50.7314083; -2.1530444Coordinates: 50°43′53.07″N 2°9′10.96″W / 50.7314083°N 2.1530444°W / 50.7314083; -2.1530444
Altitude 67 m (220 ft)[1]
Area 2 1⁄4 acres (0.91 ha)
History
Founded Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (8th - 5th centuries BC)
Designated 26 Feb 1962
Identifiers
Atlas of Hillforts 1018437

Woolsbarrow Hillfort is a hillfort on Bloxworth Heath in the district of Purbeck in the county of Dorset, England. It dates to the period from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (8th - 5th centuries BC) and is classed as an ancient monument.[2] Despite the hillfort only being at an alitude of 220 feet (67 m) it is said to "dominate the surronding heathland."[1]

Location

Woolsbarrow Hillfort is located in a clearing in the forests of Bloxworth Heath. The nearest town is Bere Regis, about 3 1⁄4 miles (5.2 km) to the west-northwest of the hillfort.[3] The heath is a popular walking area and the site can be reached by public footpath.

Description

Woolsbarrow is a slight univallate hillfort on a flat-topped knoll on the plateau of Bloxworth Heath, which separates the rivers Sherford to the east and Piddle to the west. The hillfort is marked by a single rampart about 20 feet (6.1 m) below the top of the gravel knoll and covers an area of around 2 1⁄4 acres (0.91 ha).[1] The eastern part of the hillfort has been damaged by sand and gravel extraction, but much of it survives well and has the potential for further archaeological evidence to be uncovered.[2]

It is one of only about one-hundred-fifty slight univallate hillforts nationally and is of national importance.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Woolsbarrow". Historic England Pastscape.
  2. 1 2 3 Woolsbarrow, a hillfort on Bloxworth Heath at historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 5 Nov 2016.
  3. ↑ Woolsbarrow: Hillfort at www.themodernantiquarian.com. Retrieved 5 Nov 2016.
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