Coney's Castle facts for kids
Coney's Castle is an ancient place in Dorset, England. It's a special kind of old fort called a hill fort. People built it a very long time ago, during the Iron Age. This was a time when people used iron tools and weapons.
The name Coney comes from an old English word for rabbit. This tells us that rabbits might have lived here a lot in the past. People in the Middle Ages sometimes kept rabbits in special areas called warrens. Coney's Castle might have been used as a rabbit warren, just like a nearby place called Pilsdon Pen.
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What is a Hill Fort?
A hill fort is a type of fort built on top of a hill. People in the Iron Age built them for protection. They often used the natural shape of the land to help defend themselves. These forts were usually surrounded by big banks of earth and ditches.
Exploring Coney's Castle
Coney's Castle sits on a long, narrow hill that goes from north to south. This hill is about 210 meters (689 feet) high. The fort has strong defenses. On the west side, the hill has very steep natural slopes. These slopes made it hard for enemies to attack.
Defenses of the Fort
On the east side, the people who built the fort made a very tall bank of earth. They also dug a deep ditch next to it. These were like big walls to keep the fort safe. There are also long banks of earth that go across the top of the hill. These are called ramparts.
The Wessex Ridgeway Trail
A small road runs right through the middle of Coney's Castle. This road is also part of a long walking path called the Wessex Ridgeway. This trail is popular with hikers who want to explore the beautiful countryside. If you want to visit, there's a car park right next to the fort's northern defenses. Another old fort, Lambert's Castle, is only about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) north of Coney's Castle.
Images for kids
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This image shows a 3D view of Coney's Castle. It helps us see how the land and the fort's defenses are shaped.
