Grim's Ditch

Heritage Site in Wiltshire New Forest

England

Grim's Ditch

Ford at Damerham This ford is found at Allenford Pond on the River Allen at Damerham.
Ford at Damerham Credit: John Walton

Grim's Ditch is an ancient earthwork located in the county of Wiltshire, England. This historic site stretches across 12 miles, running through the countryside and crossing several parishes. It is believed to date back to the Iron Age, with origins that can be traced as far back as the 5th or 6th century BC.

The earthwork consists of a series of ditches and banks, forming an impressive linear feature. The ditches are typically V-shaped and can reach depths of up to 10 feet, while the banks are around 20 feet wide. The construction of this earthwork required immense labor and engineering skills, highlighting its significance in the ancient landscape.

The purpose of Grim's Ditch remains a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists. Some theories suggest it served as a defensive structure, fortification, or territorial boundary, while others propose it may have been a demarcation for ceremonial or ritual purposes. It is also possible that it had multiple functions over time.

Grim's Ditch has been well-preserved over the centuries, and today it is recognized as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and protected as a heritage site. Visitors can explore sections of the earthwork, observing its impressive scale and admiring the craftsmanship of its construction. The site offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past and gain insight into the lives and activities of the Iron Age inhabitants of Wiltshire.

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Grim's Ditch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.965/-1.865 or Grid Reference SU0918. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ford at Damerham This ford is found at Allenford Pond on the River Allen at Damerham.
Ford at Damerham
This ford is found at Allenford Pond on the River Allen at Damerham.
Flooded footpath by Allenford Pond
Flooded footpath by Allenford Pond
View into field near Allenford Pond
View into field near Allenford Pond
Field beside the road at North Allenford Farm
Field beside the road at North Allenford Farm
Old Boundary Marker by Tidpit, Knap Barrow, Martin Parish Estate Boundary Marker in parish of Martin (New Forest District), Tidpit, Knap Barrow, top of barrow facing East.

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: HA_SHAF02em.
Old Boundary Marker by Tidpit, Knap Barrow, Martin Parish
Estate Boundary Marker in parish of Martin (New Forest District), Tidpit, Knap Barrow, top of barrow facing East. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: HA_SHAF02em.
Old Boundary Marker by Bokerley Dyke, Damerham parish Parish Boundary Marker by the footpath, in parish of Damerham (New Forest District), Bokerley Dyke, on Southwest side of fence and footpath in plantation. 

Situated within the Knoll Camp hillfort Scheduled Monument site.
List Entry Number: 1010764 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010764" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010764">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: HA_DAMROC02pb
Old Boundary Marker by Bokerley Dyke, Damerham parish
Parish Boundary Marker by the footpath, in parish of Damerham (New Forest District), Bokerley Dyke, on Southwest side of fence and footpath in plantation. Situated within the Knoll Camp hillfort Scheduled Monument site. List Entry Number: 1010764 LinkExternal link Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: HA_DAMROC02pb
View over farmland toward Chase Barn
View over farmland toward Chase Barn
Tree in field with view toward Chase Barn
Tree in field with view toward Chase Barn
View toward the crossroads in Tidpit
View toward the crossroads in Tidpit
Field edge footpath towards Martin
Field edge footpath towards Martin
Shed at Knap Barrow Farm
Shed at Knap Barrow Farm
Sheep at Knap Barrow Farm
Sheep at Knap Barrow Farm
Sheep and lamb at Knap Barrow Farm
Sheep and lamb at Knap Barrow Farm
Track on Toyd Down
Track on Toyd Down
Old Milestone by old trackway on Toyd Down, Martin Parish Carved stone post by the UC road, in parish of MARTIN (NEW FOREST District), Toyd Down; 1km North of Knap Barrow Farm, between 2 barrows, on East side of road. Poole stone, erected by the Poole turnpike trust in the 18th century. 

Inscription reads:-
XX(I)
Miles from
Poole Gate
IV Miles
from
Cranborn:   
Carved benchmark on front lower left.

Milestone Society National ID: HA_PLSA21.
Old Milestone by old trackway on Toyd Down, Martin Parish
Carved stone post by the UC road, in parish of MARTIN (NEW FOREST District), Toyd Down; 1km North of Knap Barrow Farm, between 2 barrows, on East side of road. Poole stone, erected by the Poole turnpike trust in the 18th century. Inscription reads:- XX(I) Miles from Poole Gate IV Miles from Cranborn: Carved benchmark on front lower left. Milestone Society National ID: HA_PLSA21.
Rockbourne The centre of the village looking north with the sign of the Rose and Thistle pub just visible.
Rockbourne
The centre of the village looking north with the sign of the Rose and Thistle pub just visible.
Old Boundary Marker by Rockbourne Lane, Damerham Parish Parish Boundary Marker by the UC road, in parish of Damerham (New Forest District), Rockbourne Lane, edge of field next to hedge.

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: HA_DAMROC01pb.
Old Boundary Marker by Rockbourne Lane, Damerham Parish
Parish Boundary Marker by the UC road, in parish of Damerham (New Forest District), Rockbourne Lane, edge of field next to hedge. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: HA_DAMROC01pb.
Bridleway beside  Rockborne Manor Note the cob wall fruit trees.
Bridleway beside Rockborne Manor
Note the cob wall fruit trees.
Show me another place!

Grim's Ditch is located at Grid Ref: SU0918 (Lat: 50.965, Lng: -1.865)

Administrative County: Hampshire

District: New Forest

Police Authority: Hampshire

What 3 Words

///neater.hospitals.chaos. Near Alderholt, Dorset

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.965,-1.865
Grim's Ditch
Archaeological Site: fortification
Fortification Type: hill_fort
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 50.9663475/-1.8601877
Damerham Knoll
Ele: 146
Natural: peak
Wikidata: Q6422970
Wikipedia: en:Knoll Camp
Lat/Long: 50.9661033/-1.8610332
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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