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:
Mound on The LeazeMedieval standing cross 15m south west of St Mary's ChurchWindmill Barrow, a bowl barrow 40m south west of Windmill Barrow FarmBadbury RingsStraw BarrowPimperne Long BarrowRoman fort at Crab FarmRemains of medieval standing cross adjacent to St Mary's Church, AlmerDeserted settlement NW of Mountain ClumpBowl barrow 850m ESE of Hill FarmRound barrow NW of High Lea FarmLong barrow and two bowl barrows 140m north west of Dormy HouseGroup of round barrows on King DownRoman building SE of Abbeycroft CoppiceCross-ridge dyke on Rawston DownBowl barrow 620m south east of Langton Lodge FarmRemains of medieval buildings ('Abbey buildings')Earth circles S of King DownCausewayed enclosure and Iron Age defended settlement with outworks called Buzbury RingsLength of Roman road on Eye MeadTwo bowl barrows on Furze Hill, 800m north east of Miller's FarmTwo sections of Roman road on Barrow Hill and Corfe HillsSection of Roman road NW of Badbury RingsThe Henbury Barrow, a bowl barrow 800m west of Henbury HallLengths of Roman road in Norwood Coppice and in The RookeryGroup of round barrows NW of Badbury RingsBowl barrow on The Cliff 680m NNW of Smith's CottagesRoman camp, forts and a vexillation fortress 240m north of Lake FarmPillow mound 80m south east of Windmill Barrow FarmBowl barrow 350m north of Naked CrossTwo Late Iron Age or Romano-British enclosed settlements with part of an associated field system 420m NNW of South FarmLong barrow and a round barrow cemetery at Telegraph Clump on Blandford Race DownLength of Roman road near King Down FarmBowl barrow 550m north east of Field Dairy FarmBradford BarrowRound barrow cemetery south and west of Rose Lawn Coppice, 600m south west of Higher Merley FarmLong barrow 820m south east of Telegraph ClumpSlight univallate hillfort called Crawford CastleWayside cross 130m north of Crawford FarmTwo bowl barrows 760m north east of Miller's FarmTarrant Abbey, site of, and tithe barn at Abbey FarmBowl barrow 200m south east of Pimperne Long BarrowRoman enclosure on Keyneston DownRound barrow cemetery in Hyde Hill PlantationBowl barrow 400m ESE of Ashley Wood Golf Club HouseSection of Roman road near Badbury RingsRound barrow cemetery 400m and 500m south east of Hyde Hill PlantationBowl barrow 80m west of Dormy HouseTwo bowl barrows at the south west corner of Pond Bottom Plantation, 1480m and 1520m NNW of Down BarnBowl barrow on The Cliff 775m NNW of Smith's CottagesSite of the medieval manor house and associated buildings of Kingston LacyLength of Roman road on Sovell DownDeer park pale in Stubb's Coppice, Hogstock Coppice and Sing Close CoppiceA shrunken medieval village and earlier prehistoric settlement remains at Walnut Tree FieldRound barrow in Buzbury PlantationBowl barrow 470m south east of Ashley Wood Golf Club HouseRomano-British settlement and two bowl barrows on Blandford Race Down 450m south east of Telegraph ClumpTwo bowl barrows and a disc barrow 960m north west and a bowl barrow 880m north west of Crab FarmBowl barrow 800m ESE of Hill FarmTwo bowl barrows in Ashley Wood 750m SSE of Buzbury RingsRoman buildings N of Witchampton MillMoated site immediately north west of St Mary's ChurchRomano-British settlement SW of Badbury RingsThe Leaze medieval siteBowl barrow on The Cliff 680m east of Luton FarmRoman camp, forts and a vexillation fortress 240m north of Lake FarmBowl barrow 850m ENE of LangbourneBowl barrow 350m south west of Buzbury RingsRound barrow cemetery on Barrow Hill 150m south west of Brookvale Farm.
