Coney's Castle is an Iron Age hillfort in Dorset, England. The name Coney is from the Old English for rabbit (Latin cuniculus), suggesting medieval use as a domestic warren, as at nearby Pilsdon Pen.

Coney's Castle

The fort is on a narrow north–south ridge reaching a height of 210 m, with linear ramparts across the ridge, steep natural slopes to the west and a high artificial rampart with ditch to the east.

3D view of the digital terrain model

A small lane runs along the ridge, bisecting the hillfort. The lane is also part of the Wessex Ridgeway long-distance trail.[1] There is a convenient car park next to the north rampart.

The remains of the hillfort are designated as a scheduled monument[2] and was on the Heritage at Risk Register but was removed in 2022 as a result of the Hillforts and Habitats Project.[3] The site is looked after by the National Trust as is Lambert's Castle about 1.5 km to the north.[4]

See also

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50°46′25″N 2°53′31″W / 50.77367°N 2.89200°W / 50.77367; -2.89200

References

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  1. ^ "LDWA Wessex Ridgewa". Long Distance Walkers Association. Archived from the original on 3 August 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ^ Historic England. "Small multivallate hillfort with outworks called Coney's Castle, Whitchurch Canonicorum (1003208)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  3. ^ "'Fine condition': Hillforts no longer 'at risk' after protection work". Bridport and Lyme Regis News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Lambert's and Coney's Castle". National Trust. Retrieved 1 December 2021.