Tinkler's Dene univallate hillfort

The site at Tinkler's Dene survives well and is a good example of a defended enclosure. It will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the range and nature of later prehistoric settlement in the area.

The monument includes a defended settlement of Iron Age date, situated in a good defensive position on a natural terrace. The settlement is roughly oval in shape and measures 70m north-east to south-west by 50m north-west to south-east within a single rampart 8m wide and 1.5m high. The natural scarp on the west side of the enclosure has been cut back to emphasise the defensive position. Traces of an external ditch 4m wide are visible on the northern side of the site; elsewhere this feature has been infilled. Within the northern end of the enclosure there are two circular hollows which are interpreted as the site of prehistoric round houses.

A univallate hillfort lying to the E of Dancing Hill Farm at 157m OD, above a steep gully from which it takes its name. The hillfort, which lies on a natural terrace is oval, measuring 70m NE-SW by 50m transversely with an enclosed area of 0.24ha. It is enclosed by a single rampart measuring 8m wide and 1.5m high but takes advantage of the naturally steep drop to the W, which has been further cut back, and the gully of Tinkler's Dene to the N. It is overlooked in the E. Evidence for a ditch, 4m wide survives on the northern side, although it is presumed to be filled in elsewhere. An entrance recorded in the NE in the 1970's can no longer been seen and is unverified. Two shallow scoops in the N of the enclosure have been interpreted as the remains of huts. The site is shown on 1856-65 OS mapping and was scheduled in 1963, but is unexcavated and undated. It now survives in a poor condition.

Source: Lock, Gary and Ralston, Ian. 2024. Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland. Available at: https://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk (CC BY-SA 4.0)