Featured: Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2019!

Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2019!

Sign the Petition to protest against building a Hotel on Castle Hill hillfort

Sign the Petition to protest against building a Hotel on Castle Hill hillfort

Who's Online

There are currently, 315 guests and 0 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Eggardon Hill - Hillfort in England in Dorset

Submitted by TimPrevett on Friday, 15 March 2024  Page Views: 31543

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Eggardon Hill Alternative Name: Eggardun
Country: England County: Dorset Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Bridport  Nearest Village: Powerstock
Map Ref: SY54129472  Landranger Map Number: 194
Latitude: 50.750257N  Longitude: 2.651709W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

ForestDaughter Andy B SumDoood would like to visit

RedKite1985 visited on 1st Jan 1998 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

TimPrevett have visited here

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort from the East (Vote or comment on this photo)
One of the best hillforts in Dorset. Some complain that the problem with hillforts is that they are on hills! Eggardon Hill is minimum effort, maximum reward, and is best approached on the promontory from the east, having come along the line of the Roman Road.

It requires very little to appreciate it, and its position. As a comparison, it needs even less effort than the Dorset Maiden Castle or the Old Oswestry Hillfort in Shropshire - both of which are easy ascents.

Car parking is best on the much wider section of the road next to the north east corner of the fort, and then using the footpath a little way to the east that runs south-west - north-east.

The southern half of the fort is owned by the National Trust, and the northern half is private, but is bisected by a path running east-west.

There are two Bronze Age barrows within the Iron Age fort, as well as more modern remains. Field boundaries, and a huge octagonal feature run across the interior, but are well disguised by taller grass, thistles and nettles in summer. The octagonal feature has been described as an arboretum, or coppice, and was also used to give navigational assistance to sea farers.

Two original entrances to the fort are on the south east, and north west sides. These are not inturned like many hillforts, but cut through the ramparts at a steep diagonal angle to offer greater defence.

On the southern ramparts of the fort, there is evidence that the fort suffered a substantial landslide of the ramparts here during its Iron Age life. This is shown by disturbed ramparts being reworked into line with the other ramparts, and can be seen from the aerial photographs (links above).

One wonders how the eastern defences worked effectively, as it is by far the most vulnerable side, lacking the natural steepness the other sides have.

It is worth having a couple layers of clothes available when paying a visit; we went on a warm August day, and still there was a fresh breeze up there; one can only imagine how penetrating it must get at other times of the year. It is also possible for a thick fog to quickly appear here.

A very impressive location, with a near 360 degrees panorama, and is worth a visit for the views alone.
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The slighter defences on the West side of Eggardon Hillfort (Vote or comment on this photo)

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort from the South East (Vote or comment on this photo)

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Midsummer Sunset from Eggardon Hillfort (Vote or comment on this photo)

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Midsummer Sunset at the far lower (and harder to see) of the two tumuli within the fort at SY54109475 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The low Tumulus at SY54109475

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Looking North West at the midsummer setting Sun over the North Western end of the fort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Watching a midsummer Sun going down at Eggardon Hillfort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort from the South

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort from the North West

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Eggardon Hillfort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The far lower (and harder to see) of the two tumuli within the fort is found at SY54109475

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Looking over the Eastern entrance to the fort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The South Eastern part of the fort looking towards the Eastern entrance

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : South Eastern defences

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Southern section looking at the Eastern end

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Southern part of the fort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : Southern defences

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The Tumulus at SY54059461

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The Southern Side of the Fort

Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill submitted by Bladup : The Western Side of the Fort

These are just the first 25 photos of Eggardon Hill. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 571m ESE 102° Eggardon earthwork* Henge (SY54689460)
 1.7km SE 124° Two Gates (Dorset)* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SY5548593770)
 2.8km ESE 116° West Compton Bowl Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SY56619347)
 2.9km SSW 202° Chilcombe Hill* Hillfort (SY530920)
 3.3km SSE 153° Litton Cheney* Timber Circle (SY5562591741)
 3.4km SSW 202° Chilcombe Hill Barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY528916)
 3.5km ESE 110° West Compton Fort Hillfort (SY574935)
 3.7km NNE 31° Toller Porcorum* Standing Stones (SY561979)
 4.3km SW 232° Shipton Hill* Hillfort (SY507921)
 4.4km SE 140° Martin's Down Round Barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY569913)
 4.5km SE 135° Kingston Russell Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY57259149)
 4.7km SE 139° Long Bredy Bank Barrow* Long Barrow (SY57179115)
 4.8km SE 138° Long Bredy Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SY5726491115)
 4.8km SE 136° Martin's Down Bell Barrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY57419124)
 4.8km SE 136° Long Bredy A Cursus* Cursus (SY57419124)
 5.0km SE 140° Long Bredy 2* Long Barrow (SY573909)
 5.1km SE 132° Kingston Russell Stone 1 Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY579913)
 5.2km SE 133° Long Bredy B Cursus Cursus (SY579912)
 5.6km SE 130° Hangman's Rocks Stone Circle (SY58389109)
 5.7km SE 137° Kingston Russell 1* Long Barrow (SY580905)
 5.7km SE 137° Kingston Russell Stone 3* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY580905)
 5.8km SE 138° Kingston Russell 2* Long Barrow (SY580904)
 6.1km NNE 14° Wraxall Cromlech Burial Chamber or Dolmen (ST557006)
 6.2km SE 130° Poor Lot Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (SY589907)
 6.4km SE 134° Pitcombe Down* Barrow Cemetery (SY587902)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Berry Cemetery Mound

Azraq Geoglyph >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Prehistoric Dorset

Prehistoric Dorset

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Eggardon Hill" | Login/Create an Account | 5 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Re: Eggardon Hill by realancienthistoryDOTcom on Thursday, 22 September 2022
(User Info | Send a Message)
"Some complain that the problem with hillforts is that they are on hills!"

By the looks of it the 'hillfort' could be part of a larger structure which could be the whole 'hill' itself. Unless the whole hill and others like it are excavated we won't know.
The 'terracing' is a worldwide phenomenon, faint traces of which can be seen on many hills.
[ Reply to This ]

Great Walks by Andy B on Saturday, 18 March 2017
(User Info | Send a Message)
This is Thomas Hardy’s Dorset – a folded, green landscape of wooded coombes flooded with bluebells, contrasting with the high, chalk ramparts of Eggardon Hill. It’s an evocative place, where the sound of the wind thrumming over grass mixes with endless lark song. You might see buzzards and ravens wheeling and tumbling above the escarpment.

One of 22 great walks here
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/mar/18/22-great-spring-walks-in-uk
[ Reply to This ]

Street View by coldrum on Wednesday, 24 March 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)

View Larger Map
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Eggardon Hill by coldrum on Tuesday, 16 February 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
Pastscape entry.

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=451411
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Eggardon Hill by coldrum on Thursday, 22 January 2009
(User Info | Send a Message)
Link:

http://www.hiddendorset.org/index.php/hd/gem/hd1108.html
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.