Monument record MDO38738 - Post medieval fair site, Lambert's Castle, Marshwood

The remains of a fair site which may date back to the medieval period is located within Lambert's Castle hillfort. A series of parallel banks and ditches are visible as cropmarks and earthworks on aerial photographs to the southern end of the hillfort. These are considered to be the remains of fair stalls. They were digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP.

The remains of a fair site which may date back to the medieval period is located within Lambert's Castle hillfort. A series of parallel banks and ditches are visible as cropmarks and earthworks on aerial photographs to the southern end of the hillfort (1-3). These are considered to be the remains of fair stalls. They were digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP.

The earliest reference to a fair at Lambert's Castle was in 1709 when a grant was obtained to hold an annual fair on the Wednesday before the feast of St John the Baptist (24th June). Compaired with other medieval fairs located on hillforts, it is possible that it was chosen for the site of the 18th century fair due to it being an existing location of a fair of much earlier origins. A fair continued to be held in June on the hilltop intil about 1947 (NRHE UID 1259992).

<1> 23-APR-1980, DAP 6786/01-2 (NMR SY 3799/1-2) (Aerial Photograph). SDO14809.

<2> DCMS, 1999, Scheduled Monument Notification 1999, 24-SEP-1999 (Scheduling record). SDO17351.

<3> Dorset County Council, 2002, Dorset County Council Vertical Photograph, SY3799.ecw (Aerial Photograph). SDO13401.

<4> Dorset County Council, 2009, Digital vertical aerial photographs, SY3799.ecw (Aerial Photograph). SDO12079.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1259992 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 20 2023 3:01PM