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<< Text Pages >> Worsborough Common - Hillfort in England in Yorkshire (South)

Submitted by vicky on Thursday, 25 March 2004  Page Views: 19666

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Worsborough Common
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 5.1 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Yorkshire (South) Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Barnsley
Map Ref: SE340050  Landranger Map Number: 110
Latitude: 53.540551N  Longitude: 1.488425W
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
1 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
2 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
3

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Hillfort in South Yorkshire

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Nearby Images from Geograph Britain and Ireland:
SE3305 : Locke Park bandstand, Barnsley by Paul Harrop
by Paul Harrop
©2016(licence)
SE3305 : Bandstand Locke Park by Tom Curtis
by Tom Curtis
©2017(licence)
SE3405 : Locke Park Tower by Graham Hogg
by Graham Hogg
©2016(licence)
SE3405 : The tower Locke Park by Steve  Fareham
by Steve Fareham
©2007(licence)
SE3405 : Locke Park Tower, Barnsley by Alan Terrill
by Alan Terrill
©2013(licence)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 3.2km SW 232° Stainborough Castle* Hillfort (SE315030)
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 9.5km SSW 199° Burnt Hill Plantation* Rock Art (SK310960)
 9.5km SSE 162° St. Helen's Well (Thorpe Hesley) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SK370960)
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 9.9km ENE 60° Ringstone Hill (Brierley) Stone Circle (SE42571005)
 11.0km ENE 60° South Kirby Camp* Hillfort (SE435105)
 11.0km S 174° Ecclesfield* Ancient Cross (SK353941)
 11.0km WSW 255° Cubley Cross* Ancient Cross (SE234020)
 11.1km SE 145° Roman Ridge (Rotherham)* Misc. Earthwork (SK40499598)
 11.2km SSE 151° Scholes Wood* Hillfort (SK395952)
 11.9km WSW 243° St James's Well (Midhopestones)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SK234995)
 13.2km SW 231° Ewden Beck* Stone Circle (SK23819664)
 13.5km SW 217° Handsome Cross Ancient Cross (SK26019412)
 13.6km NNE 16° All Saints (Crofton) Ancient Cross (SE37781812)
 13.9km SW 222° Bar Dyke (Yorkshire)* Misc. Earthwork (SK247947)
 14.1km SW 223° Bar Dyke Ring* Ring Cairn (SK245946)
 14.1km SW 223° Apronful of Stones (Bradfield) Cairn (SK2448094582)
 14.4km SSW 211° St Nicholas (Bradfield) Ancient Cross (SK26729254)
 14.5km SSE 165° Wincobank* Vitrified Fort (SK378910)
 14.7km SSW 191° Wadsley Common* Stone Circle (SK312906)
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"Worsborough Common" | Login/Create an Account | 15 News and Comments
  
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Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
the old rec at worsbrough common was once a victorian rubbish spoil tip a huge bonfire was errected and lit on the current queens coronation 1953 the smaller pit hill adjacent to highstone lane was spoil from the pit situated in ward green in the 1950s we used to dig in to the banks of the old rec and found very old bottles broken china plates etc
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Saturday, 14 March 2020
I came across this site whilst following up a note in a book by Joseph Wilkinson. The book, which I have just purchased, is called Stainborough & Rockley their historical associations and rural attractions, not the History of Worsbrough by the same author. He refers to the ruins on Worsbrough Common as follies built by members of the Wentworth family of Stainborough and contemporary with the castle folly in the grounds of Stainborough Castle. I lived on Worsbrough Common between 1945 - 65 and remember the black rock very well. Behind the black rock on the ridge was the sign of a ruin being no more than a pile of stone work, the footprint being probably equivalent to a small tower.
[ Reply to This ]

Stainborough and bits about the things above... by Anonymous on Monday, 18 March 2013
Look at the Stainborough Chronicle blog - for answers to some of the above - and some other stuff - I will get round to answering some of the above questions on this site asap.

Sam Johnson
___
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Stainborough Castle by Anonymous on Monday, 17 May 2010
Does anyone have any theories as to why the powerful Wentworth family permitted lumps of slag and fired rock to be left visible in their rockery in the gardens next to the 'old castle'?

Sam Johnson
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Monday, 17 May 2010
Very interesting stuff - my main interest is the Stainborough Valley including Stainborough Castle etc - the old buildings on the top of Worsborough Common stretching from Highstone to Bank End were put there by Thomas and or William Wentworth when they developed the Wentworth Castle / Stainborough Castle estate starting around 1708 and running up to Victorian times - by their descendants. They are intended to give the view of a classical landscape when seen from Stainborough - plenty written about them in history of Stainborough. I was interested to hear about the High Stone - and would like to know what people know of Stainborough etc as viewed from that area.

Sam Johnson
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Monday, 17 May 2010
why do you not have The Katherine Well at Stainborough it is on a map of 1730 and exists today.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common turrets/ Highstone by izzie on Wednesday, 28 April 2010
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Many thanks to the last poster who, i think, has finally pinpointed the origin of the 'sketch' I have and also cleared up the date which must now be 1778, not 1790 as I thought it read. I will check this out, but your description is accurate.

I'm assuming that the wall and turrets follow the line of trees behind my house (which is now greenbelt preserved for wildlife)- across Vernon Road and on to the end where it meets Sheffield Road? If that's the case I was wondering if the house referred to as 'new' could have been Darley Cliffe Hall- but looking at the photos at Wilbys' website, the roof is significantly different. If this is all correct then, and Darley Cliffe dates back to at least 1685 (Wilbys) then where is it on the plate?

Also, is the turret which stands in the trees just before the road entrance to Darley Cliffe part of the remains or is that something different? The stone appears to be different... And where was Sod Hall in relation to all this?

And finally, what exactly was the Highstone? Nobody seems to actually know (just local hearsay)- and if you ask me, if you look very carefully the picture appears to depict the little clump of trees to the side disappearing behind a roof- surely that can't be- is it an illusion?
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Sunday, 17 September 2006
Hi.
I Also live actually on the site. AND I have a copy of a sketch which is dated 1790, showing the walled fort, the High Stone, which was part of it but further down and is still situated in the garden next but one to mine. It shows people walking up a track leading to the top, and a horse and cart.

We've lived here 5 years, and it took us four of those (in parts) to build an impressive water feature, made entirely of huge rocks which we excavated in the garden, and smaller rocks from the surrounding area. Some of those are quarried, and some are shaped.
The fort itself was actually (according to the sketch) several turrets strung together with walling, some of which have windows, and I believe the main turret sat on the rocky outcrop which is still in the school grounds.
:) - izzie
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Sunday, 13 May 2007
    Hi Izzie
    I've been looking all over the web for a picture of Worsbrough Common and i'd had no such look until i come across this post. I would love to see the sketch. if it's possible could you scan it and send it to macas-gf@hotmail.co.uk because i would really love to see it. Your my only hope so far and i've spent hours searching, everytime i think i'm getting somewhere it's acsess denided!
    !!!!Macas-gf!!!!
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Monday, 20 February 2023
      Google lost towers of worsbrough common
      [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Worsborough Common and the Highstone. by Anonymous on Friday, 18 January 2008
    I lived and grew up in Ward Green and remember well the singular large stone on the hillside north of High Stone Lane before the land surrounding it was built on. It fascinated me then and still does although it is no longer accessible (at least easily)

    In the old publication "History of Worsborough" (Worsborough its Historical Associations and Rural Attractions) by Joseph Wilkinson, published by Farrington & Co, 112 Fleet Street, London and printed by Thomas Lingard, "Chronicle" Office, Barnsley.

    Opposite page 227 is an printed plate showing Worsborough Common in 1778. It clearly shows the great sandstone rock with a low wall and clump of trees to its western side. The Highstone lane rises along the hillside behind and to the left of the stone. Along the entire length of the northern horizon are castellated remains and turreted walls that indicate what could have been the medieval walls of Barnsley itself despite then being a considerable distance from the late 18th century town centre. There are two gatehouses clearly visible in these ruins and to the far right of the picture, what would have been in 1778 a newly built house.

    Opposite page 228 is an illustration of a group of dwellings called "Sod Hall" attended by the following commentary relating to the hall and the area of land surrounding Highstone.

    "Many of our readers still retain pleasant recollections of their youthful rambles to Highstone, covered with its thousand footprints and mementoes, and of the primitive dwelling built of sods which bore the name of Sod Hall, embosomed amid the gardens and fruit trees which where once to be found there.

    From this eminence the scenery is extensive and picturesque, and stretches out in one view for many miles in every direction. The towers and trees which once stood here gave an air of antiquity and romance to the place, and the observer on contemplating from a distance their fortification-like aspect, was carried back in thought to the days of chivalry and warfare, and might imagine that in olden times, these towers on:

    "So high a rise
    Were perhaps a tor or beacon ground,
    And lit or larmed the country round,
    For pleasure or surprise."

    One of the oldest inhabitants of Worsborough that we have met with was a native of this immediate locality. His name was William Oates, and he lived in one of the two little cottages adjoining Sod Hall, which have been occupied by the present tenants and their ancestors for generations. He had passed his 99th birthday, and at his death in 1833, was only a few months off being a centenarian."

    The view south eastwards, southwards and south westwards from the high ground of Worsbrough Common is in my mind still one of the finest vistas in the South of Yorkshire.


    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Worsborough Common by andy_h on Friday, 23 December 2005
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I live on this very hilltop and for the last 18 months have scratched around trying to find traces of any hillfort, but have yet to find anything concrete.

On the plus side, the highest point of the hill (now a rec/football pitch) is referred to as 'Castle Hill' on maps dating back to the 1850 OS map. On first inspection there looks to be remains of ramparts, but those who have lived up here for years say it is the remains of an old slag heap. Other likely looking earthworks on the hillside are the remains of old allotments and field boundaries.

EH's Pastscape's only comment is that the fort was built over. Possibly by the 1950's Council houses that now cover the northern, eastern and part of the southern side of the hill. Inspection of old maps made prior to the building of the estate show no signs of ancient earthworks or mention of any site of antiquity. Just a couple of wells, of which there were many in this area (ie: Oakwell).

During the 18thC, horse races were held on the hill, still remembered in the name 'Racecommon Lane' which runs along the length of the hilltop. In the 1860's, part of the hill was enclosed to form Locke Park. Neighbouring Highstone Farm was built during the latter half of the 18thC.

The name Worsbrough is of Saxon origin, meaning 'Walled Village', which again hints at a defensive structure on the hilltop, but most likely refers to nearby Worsbrough Village, or even possibly nearby Stainborough Castle (both sites are visible from our hilltop).

Still, it's still quite exciting to think that there is the possibility that my house sits on the site of a hillfort.

Of course, if anyone out there has any further information about the history of Worsbrough Common, please contact me.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Thursday, 26 November 2009
    Hi

    At some time I have read or was tolds there was a Roman Fort down in the dip at Ward Green Barnsley. If you stand at the top of Worsbrough Common, and look down over the ground that used to be allotments, the fort or living acomidation was down in the dip, as a river ran there, I can not remember if was told this at school or I have since read it , does any one know of a home or such place for the sick any where in Worsbrough Common in the 1830.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Worsborough Common by Anonymous on Saturday, 24 February 2018
    When the top of Worsbrough Common was last dug over in the 1970s, the ‘rec’ was found it have been backfilled with rubbish and old bottles, the ones with the marbles in. Much of the hill fort is, in fact, a series of follies built by the 2nd Earl of Wentworth in the latter part of the 18th century.
    [ Reply to This ]

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