Small multivallate hillfort called Wychbury Ring, 450m south-east of Pedmore Hall

Summary

A small multivallate Iron Age hillfort.

Reasons for Designation

The small multivallate hillfort called Wychbury Ring, 450m south-east of Pedmore Hall, is scheduled for the following principal reasons:

* Survival: the hillfort survives well despite tree growth and some late C20 damage to the ramparts on the north side;

* Potential: the hillfort will retain archaeological and environmental evidence for the date and method of its construction as well as the lives of its inhabitants, contributing to our knowledge and understanding of the area during the prehistoric period.

History

Small multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or more sides of the monument. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances, either simple gaps in the earthwork or inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety of scattered post and stake holes. Evidence from outside numerous examples of small multivallate hillforts suggests that extra-mural settlement was of a similar nature.

Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples recorded nationally. Most are located in the Welsh Marches and the south-west with a concentration of small monuments in the north-east. They are rare and important for understanding the nature of settlement and social organisation within the Iron Age period. 

Wychbury hillfort is situated on the summit of the extremely prominent Wychbury Hill which itself is the westernmost point of the Clent Hills, offering far-reaching views across the Stour Valley. First depicted on the 1883 Ordnance Survey map, the hillfort is believed to have been re-used and re-fortified during the Second World War under the name 'Wychbury 68'.

The first known excavation of the site was undertaken by E B Marten in 1884. Two small bronze rings were discovered with one being identified as an Early Iron Age terret by the British Museum. Both rings have since been lost.

Additional later finds include flints, and a silver coin of Augustus (Tiberius) which was discovered outside the east gate of the hillfort in 1991.

Evidence of Romano-British occupation has been found in the surrounding fields with finds including pottery, individual Roman coins, and a coin hoard (SO 98 SW 5).

In 1992 a survey was carried out by the Dudley Borough archaeologist following reported damage to the ramparts on the north side of the hillfort. Three distinct layers were observed in the section. The base layer was found to comprise of a slightly compact red clay with sand, some gravel, and a few small broken pieces of stone scattered throughout. Small pieces of charcoal were also observed in this layer, which, it has been suggested may have been created by the burning of trees and scrub during the early stages of clearing the hill. The middle stone layer contained small to medium smooth round pebbles, sandstone pieces and blocks, and a few pieces of metamorphic rock. These varied in size between 0.03m and 0.20m. It was noted that the stone layer did not extend the full length of the base layer. The upper layer had a similar composition to that of the base layer, with red clay, small broken stones, and gravel aggregate. It was approximately 0.70m deep on the south side. The report concluded that the way in which the stone layer rises from the south or internal side of the rampart but does not descend on its northern or external side, may suggest that it and the upper layer were supported, possibly by an external revetment.

Details

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS: The monument includes a small multivallate hillfort.

DESCRIPTION: The hillfort survives as an irregular almost heart-shaped enclosure covering an area of approximately 6ha in total. It is defined by closely spaced double ramparts with ditches which survive as earthworks throughout the circuit. The interior of the hillfort is up to 250m long by 150m wide. Best preserved to the south, the inner rampart is up to 20m wide and 2.6m high internally and the inner ditch up to 10m wide and 1.7m deep; to the north this is silted. The outer rampart is up to 10m wide and 1.8m high, and the ditch 10m wide and 1.2m deep, although to the northern part of the hillfort the outer ditch is largely infilled and the rampart is more of a scarp slope. There are two entrances, both inturned, one to the north-east and one to the south-west; the latter is approached by a hollow way.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

WM 7

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the Counties of England: A History of Worcestershire Vol IV, (1924, 1971 reprint), p424

Websites
Dudley Historic Environment Record: Wychbury Iron Age Hillfort, accessed 29/10/2025 from https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MDD330&resourceID=1038
Worcestershire and Worcester City Historic Environment Record: Wychbury Iron Age Hillfort, accessed 29/10/2025 from https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MWR121&resourceID=1035
Worcestershire and Worcester City Historic Environment Record: Defence of Britain defended locality, Wychbury Hill, Hagley, accessed 29/10/2025 from https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MWR58542&resourceID=1035
Historic England Research Records: Wychbury Ring, accessed 29/10/2025 from https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=59cf868f-7529-4c35-bff4-f425730f0ff8&resourceID=19191

Other
OS Map Worcestershire 1:2500 scale (1883 edn)
Calder, G, ‘Wychbury Hill. Wychbury Archaeological Society Transactions’. Wychbury Archaeological Society (1986), pp12-24
Calder, G, Mons Badonicus, Wychbury Archaeological Society (1988)

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