Badbury Rings by Wirestock from Getty Images
Badbury Rings
Badbury Rings, located in Dorset, is a significant multivallate hillfort occupying a prominent chalk knoll, offering panoramic views over King Down. This historic site encompasses approximately 20 hectares, distinguished by three substantial ramparts with outer ditches, forming a roughly oval enclosure. The initial construction phase involved the creation of the two inner ramparts, featuring two slightly inturned entrances on the eastern side and an additional inturned entrance to the west, which is safeguarded by a narrow barbican. This barbican was later interrupted by a potentially Roman gap that also cuts through the outer rampart and ditch. The outermost rampart, constructed in a subsequent phase, is less prominent and includes four entrances. Among these, the western entrance is thought to be Roman, while the eastern and southwestern entrances are original, and the southern entrance is of more recent origin.
The site’s historical richness is further evidenced by the field surveys conducted in 1993 and 1998, which revealed a 15-meter wide berm between the middle rampart and ditch. This area is dotted with low mounds and shallow hollows, possibly indicating the locations of ancient buildings. Additionally, an inner quarry ditch trace was noted behind the outer rampart, and up to 28 potential building scoops were identified, particularly concentrated in the southwest quadrant behind the inner rampart. Inside the hillfort, there is another concentric enclosure marked by an irregular scarp. Notable internal features include a hut circle with a banked perimeter and two rectangular dew ponds, recorded to have been in use as late as 1887. Three tree rings, surviving as circular enclosures defined by banks, add to the site’s archaeological intrigue. A compass viewpoint at the summit provides visitors with a strategic vantage point to appreciate the surrounding landscape.
Badbury Rings holds significant historical associations, possibly identified with ‘Vindocladia’ from the Antonine Itinerary and with ‘Mons Badonicus’ as mentioned by Gildas. Its later history is marked by its occupation by Ethelwold’s army around 899 AD and by the ‘Clubmen’ in 1645. In the early 19th century, a prominent fir copse was planted, noted by antiquarian Colt Hoare around 1820. The site has also yielded occasional Roman pottery finds, underscoring its long-standing significance and continuous occupation through various historical periods.
Created: 26 May 2024 Edited: 10 June 2024
Badbury Rings Details
Badbury Rings is a 97 metre high hill in Dorset.
Badbury Rings
Badbury Rings LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Badbury Rings
There are some historic monuments around including:
Roman camp, forts and a vexillation fortress 240m north of Lake FarmTwo bowl barrows on Furze Hill, 800m north east of Miller's FarmBowl barrow on The Cliff 680m NNW of Smith's CottagesSection of Roman road NW of Badbury RingsSite of the medieval manor house and associated buildings of Kingston LacyBowl barrow 400m ESE of Ashley Wood Golf Club HouseSection of Roman road near Badbury RingsRound barrow cemetery on Barrow Hill 150m south west of Brookvale FarmRound barrow in Buzbury PlantationWayside cross 130m north of Crawford FarmRomano-British settlement SW of Badbury RingsBowl barrow 850m ENE of LangbourneBowl barrow 80m west of Dormy HouseBadbury RingsSlight univallate hillfort called Crawford CastleCross-ridge dyke on Rawston DownEarth circles S of King DownBowl barrow 550m north east of Field Dairy FarmRound barrow cemetery south and west of Rose Lawn Coppice, 600m south west of Higher Merley FarmCausewayed enclosure and Iron Age defended settlement with outworks called Buzbury RingsTwo bowl barrows in Ashley Wood 750m SSE of Buzbury RingsBowl barrow 800m ESE of Hill FarmLength of Roman road on Eye MeadRoman enclosure on Keyneston DownRound barrow NW of High Lea FarmTarrant Abbey, site of, and tithe barn at Abbey FarmLong barrow 820m south east of Telegraph ClumpTwo sections of Roman road on Barrow Hill and Corfe HillsLong barrow and a round barrow cemetery at Telegraph Clump on Blandford Race DownDeserted settlement NW of Mountain ClumpBowl barrow 350m north of Naked CrossRound barrow cemetery 400m and 500m south east of Hyde Hill PlantationTwo bowl barrows 760m north east of Miller's FarmBowl barrow 470m south east of Ashley Wood Golf Club HouseBowl barrow 350m south west of Buzbury RingsGroup of round barrows on King DownTwo bowl barrows at the south west corner of Pond Bottom Plantation, 1480m and 1520m NNW of Down BarnMound on The LeazeRoman buildings N of Witchampton MillBowl barrow 850m ESE of Hill FarmDeer park pale in Stubb's Coppice, Hogstock Coppice and Sing Close CoppiceBradford BarrowLength of Roman road on Sovell DownThe Henbury Barrow, a bowl barrow 800m west of Henbury HallTwo Late Iron Age or Romano-British enclosed settlements with part of an associated field system 420m NNW of South FarmPillow mound 80m south east of Windmill Barrow FarmRoman fort at Crab FarmBowl barrow 200m south east of Pimperne Long BarrowLengths of Roman road in Norwood Coppice and in The RookeryBowl barrow 620m south east of Langton Lodge FarmBowl barrow on The Cliff 775m NNW of Smith's CottagesPimperne Long BarrowMedieval standing cross 15m south west of St Mary's ChurchBowl barrow on The Cliff 680m east of Luton FarmRemains of medieval buildings ('Abbey buildings')Moated site immediately north west of St Mary's ChurchThe Leaze medieval siteRoman camp, forts and a vexillation fortress 240m north of Lake FarmRound barrow cemetery in Hyde Hill PlantationRemains of medieval standing cross adjacent to St Mary's Church, AlmerTwo bowl barrows and a disc barrow 960m north west and a bowl barrow 880m north west of Crab FarmRomano-British settlement and two bowl barrows on Blandford Race Down 450m south east of Telegraph ClumpA shrunken medieval village and earlier prehistoric settlement remains at Walnut Tree FieldStraw BarrowRoman building SE of Abbeycroft CoppiceLong barrow and two bowl barrows 140m north west of Dormy HouseLength of Roman road near King Down FarmGroup of round barrows NW of Badbury RingsWindmill Barrow, a bowl barrow 40m south west of Windmill Barrow Farm.
