Monument record MDO8630 - Warren Hill: Bronze Age round barrow

Site of a possible Bronze Age round barrow located on the highest point of Hengistbury Head. When visited by the Ordnance Survey field investigator in 1969, it measured 30 metres in diameter and was 1.3 metres high. A coastguard lookout station was positioned on its summit. Its surface was littered with building material, suggesting it may have been occupied by buildings for some time. Given its dominant location overlooking the whole of Christchurch Bay, it may well have served as a beacon and/or belvedere. A summerhouse is depicted at this location on a plan of 1785.

On the summit of Warren Hill and on the highest point on Hengistbury Head at SZ 17049069 is a large mound which is almost certainly the remains of a barrow. It measures some 30.0m in diameter by 1.3m high and on its summit stands a Coastguard lookout Station. It is littered with building material which suggests that it has for some time been occupied by buildings and in its very dominant position overlooking the whole of Christchurch Bay it may well have served as a beacon as well as a belvedere mount.

A summerhouse 'Warren Summerhouse' is shown here Murdoch Mackenzie's plan of 1785.

Surveyed at 1:2500. <1>

<1> Aldsworth, F G, Various, Field Investigators Comments FGA, F1 FGA 19-MAR-69 (Unpublished document). SWX1161.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 458759 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 23 2024 3:41PM