Badbury
Rings is the remains of an Iron Age hill fort that was built
2000 to 2500 years ago. It belonged to an an ancient Dorset tribe
known as the 'Durotriges' and was in use until just prior to
the Roman occupation. The hill fort consists of three circular
ditches that protected an inner sanctuary, with entrances at
the east and west sides, both of which would have been protected
by large wooden gates. The height from the bottom of the ditch
to the top of the rampart would have originally been about 40ft
and then on top of this a timber palisade was constructed.
The site has been occupied from much earlier times as can be
seen by three bronze age round barrows (2200BC-800BC) that lie
just to right of the car park.
The site, which is part of the Kingston Lacy Estate
has superb views over the dorset countryside and is a great place
for a walk. |