Castle Ditches

Bluebells on the earthworks at Castle Ditches
Castle Ditches © Jim Champion, 28 April 2007

Castle Ditches hillfort is roughly triangular. Two of the three sides have steep scarps as natural defences, but the approach to the southeast side is flat and the banks and ditches are multiplied for extra protection. This view is from the eastern corner, looking along one of the large ditches. All the earthworks around the hill are wooded and in the spring they are carpeted with bluebells.

-- CASTLE DITCHES; but probably its ancient name was SPELSBURY, as a village immediately beneath it, still retains that appellation. It is so surrounded by corn fields and wood, that I perceived no signs of it until I found myself almost within the area of the camp. Its situation is very commanding, and many beautiful points of view are caught from its summit. This earthen work is strengthened by a triple row of ramparts, which are covered on three sides with wood. I can only speak with certainty respecting one entrance, which was towards the south-east; but there is a narrow adit on the opposite side. The area within the entrenchment, contains twenty-three acres and three quarters; the circuit of the outward vallum is seven furlongs, eighty-eight yards; and the height of the ramparts is about forty feet. The entire area of this camp is under tillage, and the greater part of the ramparts is so concealed by thick copse wood, that no adequate idea of their strength and boldness can possibly be formed.

The northern side and western sides of this Station, which are bounded by the river Nadder, have been for many years in a state of successive cultivation In vain therefore we may search for those antiquities which come peculiarly within the scope of our inquiry. From the name of Tisbury, I should have concluded there had been some earthen work or bury in its immediate neighbourhood, but I have never gained intelligence of any that is nearer to it than the strong camp of CASTLE DITCHES.

The Ancient History of Wiltshire by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 1812 --