Dinedor Camp facts for kids
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Rampart of the fort
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 Location in Herefordshire
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| Location | Near Hereford, Herefordshire |
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| Coordinates | 52°01′25″N 2°41′47″W / 52.0235°N 2.6963°W |
| Type | Hillfort |
| Length | 337 metres (1,106 ft) |
| Width | 160 metres (520 ft) |
| Area | 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres) |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age |
Dinedor Camp is an ancient hillfort from the Iron Age period. It is located about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) west of the village of Dinedor. This historic site is also about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) south of the city of Hereford in England. Today, Dinedor Camp is protected as a scheduled monument. This means it is an important historical site that must be preserved.
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What is Dinedor Camp?
Dinedor Camp is a type of ancient settlement called a hillfort. People in the Iron Age built these forts on high ground. They used them for protection and as places to live. This hillfort was built on a raised area of land. It offered a good view of the surrounding landscape.
Where is Dinedor Camp located?
The hillfort sits on a high part of Dinedor Hill. From this spot, you can look down towards the east. You can see the River Wye where it meets the River Lugg. This location was likely chosen for its natural defenses. It also provided a good view of anyone approaching.
What does Dinedor Camp look like?
Dinedor Camp is quite large. It measures about 337 meters (1,106 feet) long. It is also about 160 meters (525 feet) wide. The entire area inside the fort covers about 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres).
- Defenses: On the south side, there is a very steep natural slope. This made it hard for enemies to attack. Around the rest of the fort, there is a single rampart. A rampart is a large bank of earth built for defense.
- Rampart size: This rampart is about 3 meters (10 feet) high. In the north-east part, it rises even higher. There, it reaches about 8 meters (26 feet) tall.
- Entrance: The fort has an entrance on its eastern side. This entrance is "out-turned," meaning its walls curve outwards. This design helped to protect the entrance.
What did archaeologists find at Dinedor Camp?
In 1951, archaeologists did some digging at the fort. This is called an excavation. They dug a trench in the north-east part of the fort. The trench went about 35 meters (115 feet) towards the center of the camp.
- Discoveries: During this dig, they found several interesting items. They discovered pieces of pottery, called sherds. Some were from the Iron Age, and others were Roman.
- Metal tools: They also found part of an iron axehead. Other small pieces of iron were uncovered too. These finds help us learn about the people who lived there long ago.
Who owns Dinedor Camp today?
In 2016, Dinedor Camp changed ownership. The Dinedor Parish Council took over the site. This happened through something called a Community Asset Transfer. It means that Herefordshire Council gave the ownership to the local community. This helps ensure the site is looked after by the people who live nearby.
Images for kids
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3D view of the digital terrain model
