Castle Ditches
Encyclopedia
Castle Ditches is the site of an Iron Age
trivallate hillfort located in Wiltshire
. It is probable that its ancient name was Spelsbury. Its shape is roughly triangular, and follows the contours of the small hill upon which it sits. The earthworks comprise triple row of ramparts and ditches, which are covered on three sides with woodland. There is a large entrance towards the south-east, where there is the shallowest incline of the hill; but there is also a narrow slit on the opposite side. The area within the site encompases nearly 24 acres, and the greatest height of the ramparts is about forty feet.
, in the county of Wiltshire
. The hill has a summit of 193m AOD. The River Nadder
flows closeby to the north of the site. There are public footpaths surrounding all parts of the site, but the land is privately owned.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
trivallate hillfort located in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. It is probable that its ancient name was Spelsbury. Its shape is roughly triangular, and follows the contours of the small hill upon which it sits. The earthworks comprise triple row of ramparts and ditches, which are covered on three sides with woodland. There is a large entrance towards the south-east, where there is the shallowest incline of the hill; but there is also a narrow slit on the opposite side. The area within the site encompases nearly 24 acres, and the greatest height of the ramparts is about forty feet.
Location
The site is located at , to the southeast of the small town of TisburyTisbury, Wiltshire
The large village of Tisbury lies approximately west of Salisbury in the English county of Wiltshire.With a population at the 2001 census of 2,056 it is an important local centre for communities around the upper River Nadder and Vale of Wardour...
, in the county of Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. The hill has a summit of 193m AOD. The River Nadder
River Nadder
The River Nadder is one of the chalk stream rivers of southern England, much sought after by fly fishermen because of its clear waters and abundance of brown trout. It is one of the main tributaries of the River Avon, rising from a number of springs and small streams at Donhead St. Mary in south...
flows closeby to the north of the site. There are public footpaths surrounding all parts of the site, but the land is privately owned.