More information : [SK 4300 7975] Ancient Earthwork. (1)
"A square intrenchment" on the hill west of Eckington Church
was described in 1829 as "perfect", and Haverfield describes it
as earthworks of uncertain age.
Field work by R.C.H.M. shows that the square entrenchment on
Castle Hill, 600ft W of Eckington parish church, SK 430 797
visible as a soil mark, encloses a quarter of an acre, probably
walled originally with an entrance at the SW corner, and is
perhaps an Iron Age homestead (4).
A mound on Castle Hill, Eckington, listed under "Castles" is
Scheduled (5).
Documentary evidence (a) proves that the enclosure was a bowling
green in 1796 but it may have an earlier origin and Mr Penny
suggests it may have been the moat hall mentioned (b). I think it
is older than 18th cent. although unlikely to be prehistoric as
formerly suggested. The name Castle Hill does not appear until
the 19th cent. (6) The name is not shown on early O.S. plans. (2-6)
This work is represented by a level platform - now under cereal.
The only surveyable feature is a pronouned lynchet on the S.E.
side, 22.0m in length with a maximum height of 1.1m.
The bank to the east is the result of modern terracing above a
refuse tip (still in use); there is no surface evidence of either
walling or entrance.
Classification. The documentary evidence for a Bowling Green is
strong, the size is acceptable for a Md. green and the site is
obviously the easiest spot for levelling hereabouts. I can offer
no parallel to suggest the feature as historic or Roman.
Lynchet surveyed at 1/1250. (7)
SK 43007977. Castle Hill is listed as a small rectilinear stone-
walled enclosure, about 1/4 acre in area, probably Iron Age. (8)
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