Grassy burrial mound found in Norsey Wood Local Nature Reserve, unable to find out much about it except for the details on the sign, and what is detailed here.
lobsterboy
Just flagging the existance of this really – I’m not even sure what the real name should be.
On the OS map it is marked fort, but I was unable to find much else out about it really. the Maps in the park mark it as an Iron-Age Hill Fort but there was nothing in the visitors centre about the fort.
From the public carparks it is a fair walk to the earthwork. The ditches use the natural contours to create some very steep banks 3-4 meters high in places. The site has a road running straight through it.
Photo taken from the middle of the ditch in winter.
Survey Map
The existence of Loughton Camp was unknown until discovered
by Mr Harris Cowper in 1872 who has received little credit or attention in recent years
for his tremendous historical revelation. What tales the camp could tell if only its
secrets could be unlocked. An attempt to do just that took place in 1882 when the
Essex Field Club excavated the banks in three places — indicated on this drawing. It
is interesting to note the addition of the words ‘Turpin’s Cave’ as there are at least
two other locations in Epping Forest which vie for this dubious privilege.
My first go at some field notes so I hope this is OK
The “hillfort” is roughly oval in shape. It encloses 2.6 hectares and occupies the end of a spur with extensive views to the south (when all the trees were chopped down!) a stream rising in marshy ground in the south-east corner is an unusual feature. The steep hill slope on the W and SW adds to the strength of the single V shaped ditch (2.7meters deep). The original entrance has not been identified.
The West side features a forest Ride runining along a contour at the bottom of the earthworks but dug into the hill – I have been unable to findout if it was created as part of the victorian “ride building program” or is an original feature. The banks are very heavily forested though quite easy to find and hardly any moden damage except 1 area where mountain bikes have caused damage (they are now banned from the site).