More information : SO 539 160 Hill Fort (NR)
SO 5400 1590 Well (NR). (1)
Little Doward Camp now consists of an oval enclosure with a
rectangular annexe towards the SE. The oval portion is surrounded by
a double embankment with a medial ditch, except on the S side where
the steep slope made only a single bank necessary. The double
embankment turns outward at the NW angle indicating the former
existence of an outer enclosure on this side. The earthworks were
considerably damaged in the 19th century when the owner formed paths
through the ramparts and he is said to have replaced an outer rampart
on the NW by a straight bank leading to an iron view-tower.
The rectangular annexe is only defended by a natural outcrop of rock
on three sides; it is divided from the main camp by a track which is
partly sunk. Within the oval are a well and a series of mounds
(SO 51 NW 14). (2)
An IA bivallate hillfort, with enclosure, situated upon an almost
level-topped wooded limestone hill, with steep natural slopes to the
NE and NW and very steep rocky slopes to the SW. The enclosure to the
SE of the main work is bounded by limestone cliffs above very steep
natural slopes.
The hillfort defences comprise, on the NW and NE a strong inner
rampart, 12.0 to 16.0m in width, 1.5 to 2.5m in height; a medial
ditch, 6.0 to 8.0m in width, 1.0 to 2.0m deep and an outer rampart,
6.0 to 8.0m in width, 1.0 to 2.0m in height. To the SW a single
rampart suffices and is 7.0m wide and 1.5m high. To the SE, along the
junction with the enclosure, is a 1.0m high outward-facing slope,
probably the ploughed-down remains of a rampart. The probable
original entrance was through the NE side with access up a natural
shelving hill slope. Another narrow rock-cut entrance through the
ramparts on the SW side is undoubtedly original. The well, at the S
end of the hillfort, could not be located, and has probably been
filled in.
Published 1:2500 survey revised. (3)
The well still exists in the position originally shown. (4)
Additional reference. (5)
SO 539 160. Little Doward. Listed in gazetteer as a multivallate
hillfort covering 7.8ha. (6)
Surveyed at 1:1000. The 'annexe' to the SE is in fact probably the earlier part of the site and contains over 30 house platforms. Despite damage in the 19th century the site is generally well preserved. There is an original entrance to the NE and there was perhaps another to the SE but the evidence for this is now destroyed. There is a conterscarp only where the natural slopes are shallow enough to warrant it. Within the NW enclosure are internal quarry scoops and a few possible house platforms, as well as numerous features of other periods, recorded separately, such as barrows (SO 51 NW 14) and pillow mounds (SO 51 NW 43). The 'well' is a mineshaft, one of several on the site (see SO 51 NW 46). See report. (7)
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