Fordwood camp, Broomridge Dean

Summary

Fordwood defended enclosure, SSE 256m of Fordwood House.

Reasons for Designation

During the later Iron Age (seventh to fifth centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are believed to be of national importance.

Fordwood defended enclosure SSE of Fordwood House is partially preserved as low earthworks and cropmarks. The remaining earthworks, the ditches and other below ground features of the interior of the monument will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment of the. The monument provides insight into settlement and subsistence during the Iron Age period.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 17 May 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes the remains of a defended enclosure of Iron Age date, situated on a gentle south facing slope and bordered to the south by steep slopes descending down to Broomridgedean Burn. The enclosure is sub-oval in plan and is surrounded by a double rampart and associated ditches with traces of an entrance on the north east side. The ramparts are preserved as low partial earthworks on the enclosure’s north and south west side with the remainder surviving as cropmarks.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

ND 235

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 3579

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

Print the official list entry