Deer Park Promontory Fort

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The area enclosed is large coastal promontory protected by steep cliffs on each side except at the east where a north to south valley acts as a partial natural barrier. Here a bank and ditch were constructed along the crest of the valley side. The defence is strongest at the southern end where the bank is up to 3.5m high above the 1m deep and 6m wide ditch. To the north as the valley side steepens the bank gradually reduces in scale to about 1.5m over a width of 5m. A simple gap marks an entrance at the south end, within which an L-shaped bank between the defensive bank and the cliff edge up to 1.5m high may be an associated entrance feature. A possible second entrance, with a slight in-turn, lies 75m to the north. In the interior another smaller enclosure, possibly also of Iron Age date encloses the north-west rocky promontory. Field boundaries and cultivation ridges of unknown date around the south-west and on the north sides of the promontory have been noted in aerial reconnaissance.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.