England
Dorset

Badbury Rings

Contained within the considerable estates of Kingston Lacy House is this Iron Age hillfort, surrounded by three concentric ditches and ramparts. The ditches were dug to a depth of almost 20 feet, and the debris from the digging piled up on the inner side of the ditch, creating a high earthen rampart. It is likely that a timber pallisade would have surmounted the ramparts, affording cover to defenders. The main entrance (there are two) is flanked by three barrows, called locally the "Three Kings".

The site has not been subject to an excavation, but there indications that circular huts were erected in the interior of the fort. The most likely inhabitants of Badbury Rings were the Durotriges tribe, who were also responsible for Maiden Castle. That fort fell to an assault by the Roman legions under Vespasian in 43AD, and it seems likely that Badbury suffered the same fate. The Roman road from Old Sarum to Dorchester runs just to the west of the fort and there are rumours - though no hard evidence - that the Romans built a town called Vindocladia just outside the fort. The remains of a Roman villa have been found on the outskirts of Shapwick village one mile away.

It has been conjectured that Badbury is the site of Mons Badonicus (Mount Badon) - the great battle at which King Arthur defeated the advancing Germanic tribes of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in the late 5th or early 6th century. Though there is no firm evidence that Badbury is Badon (or even that the battle ever took place), the similarity in names suggests such a possiblity.

Outside the outer ditch is a series of Bronze Age barrows, suggesting a cemetary or traditional place of burial. Views from the top of the 330 foot hill are quite good, with possible sightings of the Isle of Wight on a clear day.

The 2 mile long Beech Avenue can be seen more easily; the avenue is composed of 365 trees on each side of the road, one planted for each day of the year. A new belt of trees has been planted by the National Trust to the outside of the current avenue, to take over when the ancient trees die.

LOCATION
One mile from Shapwick, off the B3082 between Wimborne Minster and Blandford Forum.

OPENING DETAILS
Badbury Rings are open at all reasonable times. Dogs are not permitted.

NEARBY
Kingston Lacy House