Coney's Castle Explained

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.

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

See also

50.7737°N -2.892°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LDWA Wessex Ridgewa. live. 1 December 2021. Long Distance Walkers Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20110803090803/http://www.ldwa.org.uk:80/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Wessex+Ridgeway . 2011-08-03 .
  2. Web site: 'Fine condition': Hillforts no longer 'at risk' after protection work . 2022-04-04 . Bridport and Lyme Regis News . en.
  3. Web site: Lambert's and Coney's Castle. 2021-12-01. National Trust. en.