New Ditch | |
Coordinates: | 51.0964°N -2.7103°W |
Location: | Butleigh, Somerset, England |
Designation1: | Scheduled Ancient Monument |
Designation1 Number: | Somerset 447 |
New Ditch is a linear earthwork of possible Iron Age or Medieval construction. It partially crosses the Polden Hills in woodlands approximately south-west from the village of Butleigh in Somerset, England.
Its construction is similar to Ponter's Ball Dyke 3 miles to the northeast, with the dyke on the south east of the embankment, but of less massive construction. Both were probably part of a more extensive defence scheme. It is nearly half a mile in length and was probably of greater extent originally, but as it stands, New Ditch cannot be termed a cross-ridge dyke although it does seem to be a boundary work.[1]
It is debatable whether this site is ancient because it is located close to a medieval woodland and a deer park.[2] [3]