Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on an E-W ridge with a pronounced N-facing slope, with excellent views of the surrounding hilly terrain. Large oval area (57.7m E-W; 51.2m N-S) defined by remnants of a substantial stony bank, enhanced on the N side by the steep ridge slope. The curving arc of the bank (Wth 4-5.9m; int. H 0.6-1.3m; ext. H 1.7-2m) at SW-NNW is well defined. At NW it peters out where the defining element becomes a scarp merging at NNW–NNE with the steep natural ridge slope (H 5.6m). At NE–E remnants of a stony bank are evident, replaced at ESE-S-SSW by a later field wall (Wth 1.2; H 0.6 at S), now ruined and largely obscured by blackthorn and brambles. A gap (Wth 2m) at E may represent the original entrance. The interior incorporates a central E-W spine of raised level ground (Wth c. 15-20m N–S) from which interior ground level falls steeply towards the perimeter at N, and more gently at S. This level central spine appears to reflect the natural undulations of the ridge. It is broadest at the E end of the enclosure, and here there is a rectangular platform (12.5m E-W; 10.8m N-S), which appears to be the remains of a house (SL019-149002-). A ruined field wall (W 1-1.3m; H 0.7m), engulfed in brambles, extends on an ENE–WSW axis through the S third of the enclosure. The enclosure is boxed in on all sides by later field boundary walls. At W a field wall, which lies 3m outside the enclosure bank, respects the curve of the enclosure, possibly preserving the line of a fosse or outer bank. There is a church (SL019-150001-) and graveyard (SL019-150002-) c. 170m to SE

Attached image (SL019-149001-_01 shows enclosure viewed from N.

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan

Date of upload: 19 January 2011