Monument record MDO1366 - Enclosure on Crow Hill, Littlebredy

One of two rectangular fields on the north side of Crow Hill visible on aerial photographs. They are undated but likely to be later than the surrounding Celtic field system.

"The stones in this typical valley entrenchment are the remains of walls of a rectangular building". <2>

Two enclosures on the north side of Crow Hill. `A' (RCHM 5a) (SY 59398789). Roughly rectangular, 93 yds by 38 yds and surrounded by a bank with a slight outer ditch (see plan). There is an entrance formed by a simple gap at each end on the NW side the bank projects for about 39 yds to form a shallow bay with an internal terrace or platform projecting into the enclosure and continued to the SW end. Within the enclosure are traces of a rectangular stone-walled structure. 'B' (RCHM 56) (SY 59288777) Roughly rectangular, 35 yds by 7 yds, with a slight bank and traces of an outer ditch.

There are two gaps forming entrances on the long sides, that on the SE is considerably the larger. Listed as especially worthy of preservation. <3>

'A'. This valley enclosure is as described in Authy 3 and shown in their plan. The bank of the earthwork averages 4.0m wide and 0.5m high, with an outer ditch (except in the centre of the NW face) 2.5m wide and 0.4m deep. Bank and ditch are most pronounced at each of the corners. The two entrances are approx 4.5m wide, but have been utilized by a modern track. The traces of a structure within are indicated by the platform, stones and some flint walling now at ground level. Whether the structure was contemporary or later than the earthwork could not be ascertained. No exposed stonework has been seen by this investigator at other valley enclosures. 'B'. A small rectangular enclosure in a narrow N-S coombe. The enclosure 33.0m by 6.0m is formed by a bank 1.5m wide and 0.2m high. The traces of an outer ditch are very faint. As in 'A' there are entrance gaps at each end approx 2.0m wide. There is no evidence of any internal structure, and nothing was found by which the earthwork could be dated. Both earthworks are grass covered. <4>

The large valley-bottom enclosure, Little Bredy 5a, was apparently built over 'Celtic' field remains (see SY 58 NE 15),
already reploughed. Enclosure 5b may be connected with two unusual long narrow plots set within 'Celtic' field boundaries above it. Immediately W a flat floor 18ft square with a gap towards the enclosure, has been cut into the face of a lynchet. The two enclosures are almost certainly later than the Celtic fields. <5>

SY 594879. Earthwork (enclosure 'A') north of Crow Hill. Scheduled (Under heading Camps and Settlements). <6>

One of two rectangular fields on the north side of Crow Hill visible on aerial photographs <7-9>. They are undated but likely to be later than the Celtic field system. This enclosure is 35m by 9m, and there two gaps forming possibly entrances on the two shorter sides. The site was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

<2> Crawford, O G S, Annotated record map 6 inch (Map). SWX7265.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 38 (Monograph). SDO97.

'(5) ENCLOSURES, in a re-entrant on the N. side of Crow Hill, over ¾ m. S.S.E. of the church, are two in number. The more northerly (a) is roughly rectangular, 93 yards by 38 yards, and surrounded by a bank with a slight outer ditch (for plan see preface, p. xxxiv). There is an entrance, formed by a simple gap, at each end and on the N.W. side the bank projects for about 39 yards to form a shallow bay with an internal terrace or platform projecting into the enclosure and continued to the S.W. end. Within the enclosure are traces of a rectangular stone-walled structure. The second enclosure (b), 120 yards to the S.W., is roughly rectangular, 35 yards by 7 yards, with a slight bank and traces of an outer ditch. There are two gaps forming entrances on the long sides; that on the S.E. is considerably the larger.'

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 30-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 624 (Monograph). SDO150.

<6> Department of the Environment, 1978, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 2), 77 (Monograph). SWX1687.

<7> 16-FEB-2005, NMR SY 5987 50-2 (23819/09-11) (Aerial Photograph). SDO11651.

<8> 01-SEP-2004, NMR SY 5987/43-5 (23707/08-10) (Aerial Photograph). SDO11650.

<9> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 3301-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11649.

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 883239 (Index). SDO14738.

RCHME: Celtic Fields, Winterbourne Steepleton and Littlebredy. Distribution over Littlebredy & Steepleton

<11> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 884043 (Index). SDO14738.

RCHME: Littlebredy Settlements, Fields & Other Earthworks, Dorset

<12> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 884091 (Index). SDO14738.

RCHME: Littlebredy Farm, Valley of Stones, Dorset.Detail of larger drawing published. Inscription: rough drawing of barrow distribution etc

<13> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03933 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. WEST FACE OF TRENCH AND DITCH

<14> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03934 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. TRENCH FROM NORTH-WEST

<15> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03935 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. TRENCH FROM NORTH-EAST

<16> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03936 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. WEST FACE OF TRENCH

<18> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03937 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. TRENCH ACROSS DITCH, WEST FACE

<19> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01805 (Index). SDO14738.

ENCLOSURE II. WEST FACE OF TRENCH AND DITCH

<20> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS55/F76/3 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN OF ENCLOSURE AT LITTLE BREDY. Photographer: UNKNOWN

<21> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450315 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 17 2023 10:52AM