More information : Castle Dyke (Camp) [ O.E. ] [Centred at SX 9214 7700]. (1)
Castle Dyke or Castle Ditch, Ashcombe. A circular enclosure with
a single rampart and ditch enclosing about 1 1/2 acres, with one
entrance on the south. Bank 4 ft. high on inside, and from 7'6"
to 8'8" high from bottom of ditch. (a)
Lady A. Fox notes a causeway in the north-east and the
possibility that the southern entrance has been re-cut. It is
tentatively dated Medieval or ? Bronze Age (b) but A. L. F. Rivet,
(quoting E.P.N.S. vol. 2, p.492) points out that it can hardly
be Medieval since it is mentioned as eordbirig in a charter of
1044. (c) (2)
The earthwork occupies a position upon a high plateau, but the
situation is not a defensive one. The work consists of a strong
bank with an outer ditch and weak traces of an outer bank.
There are two distinct entrances, of which the north-eastern is
probably original.
The southern entrance may be modern for faint traces of a bump
are visible where it was crossed by the rampart.
Ground photographs see AO/53/87/2 3 & 4. The earthwork is in
extremely good condition.
A 25" survey has been made. (3)
An encampment nearly of an oval form, 115 paces in length, and 88 do. In breadth, the two diameters within the vallum. The vallum is about 7 feet above the lowest part of the fosso, which has been lowered by persons digging turf in it. On the outside of the fosso are traces of a very small vallum, but too obsure to be clearly understood. The two entrances are on the S. and N.E. sides. (4)
Castle Dyke, name confirmed (5) is in good condition. It lies in wood and scrub on the flattish spur of Little Haldon around 224m O.D. N.E. of the summit.
It is a sub-oval univallate earthwork encompassing 0.73ha. with a bank and outer ditch and traces of a counterscarp bank.
There are two entrances to the unraised interior.
The southern entrance interposes a ditch which is at differing depths on either side. Also here the inner scarp of the bank is of differing lengths. This suggests the gap results from `gang working' and is original.
The north-eastern entrance is flanked by the only traces of the counter scarp bank which suggests it is also original. Recent use of this gap has exposed the stone base of the bank which indicates the entrance was under 3m wide, as is the southern entrance. From(1) the earthwork accords with a pre-Norman date. Its situation would suggest a small defensive settlement site probably of I.A. date. (See 1:2500 survey & sections)
Surveyed at 1:2500 on M.S.D. (6) |