On RODDENBURY-HILL, about a quarter of a mile north of Longleat, and close upon the confines of this county with Somersetshire, is a small earthen work called Roddenbury-Camp. It has only a single ditch and vallum, with two entrances on the east and west. Near it, on the western side of the same hill, is a smaller circular work, bearing the name of Hays-Castle. The whole of this eminence, which forty years ago was a naked waste, is now covered with a profusion of trees.
Roddenbury Hill has lately been the scene of a most barbarous murder...
This small univallate fort is smothered in trees but its location cries out for a camp and is very obvious from local vantage points like Cley Hill, and it overlooks Longleat. The ramparts are in the shape of a round-cornered triangle, and in one place the 1.6m bank and 1.8m ditch create an impressive defence. There's been some sand quarrying which has disturbed the earthworks and the inside, which according to the SMR on Magic was probably carried out in the 19th century.
Log in |
Register
England
0 discussions
Show map (inline Google Map)
Add news 
Posted by tjj
Posted by Rhiannon
Top of page