Beacon Ring Camp (Caer Digoll)

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises an impressive univallate hillfort, probably dating to the Iron Age (c. 800 BC - 74 AD, the Roman conquest of Wales) and situated on a locally prominent summit overlooking the floodplain of the River Severn to the NW. The interior measures about 190m from NNW by SSE by 125m transversely and is set within a complete circuit of rampart with an entrance in the SSW. The rampart is massive and is accompanied by a substantial ditch, which now only partially survives. Although no interior features are visible, this is a fine example of an impressive univallate hillfort.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider Iron Age context and both the interior, rampart and ditch may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is roughly circular and measures up to 230m from NNW to SSE by 175m transversely. It is defined on all sides except the E by the surrounding fence line. The scheduled area on the E is defined by the W edge of the track, which comprises the upper edge of the scarp of the enclosing ditch.