Monument record MWX2793 - Earthwork, Foxholes, Southbourne, Bournemouth

An earthwork of uncertain function and date is marked on an 1870 Ordnance Survey map at Foxholes, Southbourne. It was partially destroyed by the construction of Belle Vue Road in the late nineteenth century and the remainder was destroyed in the inter-war period by housing along Belle Vue Road.

A series of earthworks labelled "Fort (Remains of)" are shown on the Ordnance Survey 25-inch Epoch 1 map (1871) within scrubby mixed woodland at 'Foxholes'. The earthworks comprise a circular mound about 25 m across, with two linear ditches to the south, one of which curves around the west side of the mound. Another short length of curvilinear ditch exists on the northern side of the mound. The mapped form of the earthwork makes it seem unlikely to be a 'fort' and its function and date remain uncertain. (1)

The eastern half of the earthwork was destroyed during the construction of Foxholes House and Belle Vue Road. (2)(3)

By the mid 1920s, the remainder of the earthwork had been destroyed by the construction of houses along Belle Vue Road. (4)

Cresswell, J, 2003, Items in collection of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society. (Index). SWX8161.

'Fort (remains of)' marked on 1870 OS Map - now covered by housing.

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch one, Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXXXVI.11 Survey 1869, Published ca.1870 (Map). SDO10239.

'Fort (remains of)'

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch two, Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXXXVI.11 Revised: 1907, Published: 1909 (Map). SDO11594.

'Earthwork'

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1923-33, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch three, Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXXXVI.11 Revised: 1923, Published: 1924 (Map). SDO11595.

'Earthwork (Site of)'

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1934-38, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch four, Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXXXVI.11 Revised: 1939, Published: 1944 (Map). SDO11596.

'Earthwork (Site of)'

Record last edited

Jun 23 2025 4:28PM