Abbotsbury Castle is an Iron Age hillfort in south west Dorset, England, situated on Wears Hill above the village of Abbotsbury,[1] seven miles west of Dorchester and the famous hill fort at Maiden Castle.

Abbotsbury Castle
The earthworks at Abbotsbury castle
Abbotsbury Castle is located in Dorset
Abbotsbury Castle
Map showing the location of Abbotsbury Castle within Dorset.
LocationAbbotsbury, Dorset
Coordinates50°41′N 2°38′W / 50.68°N 2.63°W / 50.68; -2.63
TypeHillfort
Area10 acres (4.0 ha)
History
PeriodsIron Age
CulturesDurotriges
Site notes
Public accessYes
Official nameAbbotsbury Castle (camp)
Reference no.1002710

It is situated on a high chalk hill overlooking the English Channel, and in its day was the front line of defence from invasion. The earthworks cover an area of about 10 acres (4.0 ha), of which about 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) are inside the ramparts.[2]

The fort was occupied by the Celtic Durotriges tribe, but when the Romans invaded in AD 43, the second Augustian legion of Vespasian took the fort quickly with little struggle before moving on to Maiden Castle. There is no evidence that the Romans settled at Abbotsbury Castle as they did at some other hill forts.

Abbotsbury Castle seen from Tulks Hill

References

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  1. ^ West Dorset Holiday and Tourist Guide. West Dorset District Council. c. 1983. p. 2.
  2. ^ "An Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments in West Dorset. Abbotsbury". British History Online. 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
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50°40′42″N 2°37′52″W / 50.67825°N 2.63118°W / 50.67825; -2.63118