Woolsbarrow Hillfort facts for kids
Trig point on top of the hillfort
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| Location | Dorset |
|---|---|
| Region | England |
| Coordinates | 50°43′53.07″N 2°9′10.96″W / 50.7314083°N 2.1530444°W |
| Altitude | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Area | 2+1⁄4 acres (0.91 ha) |
| History | |
| Founded | Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (8th - 5th centuries BC) |
| Designated | 26 February 1962 |
| Identifiers | |
| Atlas of Hillforts | 1018437 |
Woolsbarrow Hillfort is an ancient hillfort found on Bloxworth Heath in Dorset, England. It was built a very long time ago, between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. This means it was used from about the 8th to the 5th centuries BC. Even though the hillfort is only about 220 feet (67 m) high, it looks like it stands tall over the land around it. Today, it is protected as an ancient monument.
Where is Woolsbarrow Hillfort?
Woolsbarrow Hillfort is hidden in a clear space within the forests of Bloxworth Heath. The closest town is Bere Regis, which is about 3+1⁄4 miles (5.2 km) to the west-northwest. Bloxworth Heath is a popular spot for walking. You can reach the hillfort by following a public footpath.
What Does Woolsbarrow Hillfort Look Like?
Woolsbarrow is a special kind of hillfort that sits on a flat-topped small hill on Bloxworth Heath. This heath separates two rivers, the River Sherford to the east and the River Piddle to the west. The hillfort has a single protective wall, called a rampart. This wall is about 20 feet (6.1 m) below the very top of the hill. The whole area inside the wall covers about 2+1⁄4 acres (0.91 ha).
Part of the hillfort on the eastern side has been damaged over time by people digging for sand and gravel. However, most of the hillfort is still in good condition. This means there might be more ancient secrets and evidence waiting to be discovered by archaeologists. Woolsbarrow Hillfort is very important because it is one of only about 150 similar hillforts in the whole country.
