Shire Ditch

Heritage Site in Herefordshire / Worcestershire

England

Shire Ditch

The British Camp The British Camp on the Herefordshire Beacon viewed from the north. — The British Camp Credit: Philip Halling

Shire Ditch is a historic earthwork located on the border between Herefordshire and Worcestershire, England. This site holds great significance as it marks the boundary between the two counties, dating back to medieval times.

The earthwork itself is a large ditch that stretches for approximately 2 kilometers, creating a clear division between the two counties. It is believed to have been constructed in the 13th century during a period of border disputes and conflicts between Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The purpose of the ditch was to serve as a physical barrier and demarcation line, ensuring the separation of the two territories.

Shire Ditch is an impressive example of medieval engineering, with the ditch measuring up to 5 meters in width and 2 meters in depth. The site is also surrounded by a bank, which further emphasizes its function as a defensive structure.

Today, Shire Ditch is considered a heritage site and is protected by local conservation authorities. It serves as a reminder of the historical tensions and territorial disputes that once characterized the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border. The site offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about the medieval period, as well as the significance of boundaries and their role in shaping local history.

Shire Ditch is easily accessible, with footpaths and trails running alongside it, allowing visitors to walk along its length and appreciate its historical significance.

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Shire Ditch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.062/-2.343 or Grid Reference SO7640. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The British Camp

The British Camp on the Herefordshire Beacon viewed from the north.

Philip Halling

Walkers on Pinnacle Hill

Walkers on Pinnacle Hill viewed from Black Hill.

Philip Halling

Black Hill

Walkers on Black Hill in the Malvern Hills.

Philip Halling

View to the flooded River Severn

View to the flooded River Severn to the south of Upton upon Severn. Viewed here from Pinnacle Hill in the Malvern Hills, to the right the road to Upper Hook and Upton can be seen, while to the left the line of trees indicate the route of the former Malvern to Ashchurch railway line.

Philip Halling

Giant's Cave, Hangman's Hill, Malvern Hills

peter robinson

Hounds on Broad Down

View north to the Herefordshire Beacon with Clutter's Cave just ahead. The Ledbury Hunt is scouring the Eastnor estate off to the left and these hounds have come up to the hilltop to check things out.

Trevor Rickard

Hound on Broad Down

A member of the Ledbury Hunt pack bounds across the top of the down. Bredon Hill and the Cotswold escarpment in the distance to the east.

Trevor Rickard

Track across Castlemorton Common

Heading east towards Bowling Green.

Trevor Rickard

Scrubland at Castlemorton Common

View east with Bredon Hill just visible on the horizon. The evening sun highlights the mixture of rough grazing, gorse and scrub in this more inaccessible part of the common.

Trevor Rickard

West side of Castlemorton Common

Looking north to the cottages on Hancock's Lane lit up by the evening sun.

Trevor Rickard

Boundary Stones, British Camp, the Malvern Hills

Two boundary markers: the right-hand one being a somewhat sunken stone and the other being a Malvern Hills Conservators' blue brick marker. They are on the ridge of the Malvern hills in the saddle between Herefordshire Beacon and Millennium Hill. The iron-age hill fort known as British camp occupies both hill tops and these markers are close to the western gate to the fort.

Bob Embleton

Boundary marker, British Camp, Malvern

The blue brick marker is bears the inscription MHC 159. It was placed here by the Malvern Hills Conservators on the ridge of the hills in the saddle between Herefordshire Beacon and Millennium Hill. The peak of the latter can be seen along the well worn ridge. Just behind the marker and barely visible in this photo is a much older boundary stone in a somewhat sunken state. If one looks carefully it is possible to see the levelled hut platforms of the iron-age town on the slopes of the hill side.

Bob Embleton

Millennium Hill, Malvern Hills

The hill is the southern of two peaks included in the iron-age hill fort known as British Camp. Almost all of the Malvern Hills is under the care of the Malvern Hills Conservators and is open to the public and very popular with dog walkers.

Bob Embleton

Wake detection, British Camp reservoir

The ducks were almost invisible (to my eyes), but with the sun at the right angle the wake indicates their location. The reservoir is no longer used as a water supply, but it remains as an iconic reminder of Victorian engineering and it is also a picturesque scene

Bob Embleton

Boundary Stones, British Camp, the Malvern Hills

The county boundary making use of the iron-age defensive ditch. The stone marker is older and the blue brick is a Malvern Hills Conservator marker.

Bob Embleton

British Camp reservoir from high above

Richard Law

Shire Ditch and the path onto Millennium Hill

Richard Law

Shire Ditch running south on Hangman's Hill

Richard Law

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Shire Ditch is located at Grid Ref: SO7640 (Lat: 52.062, Lng: -2.343)

Unitary Authority: County of Herefordshire

Police Authority: West Mercia

What 3 Words

///clarifies.expectant.eminent. Near Great Malvern, Worcestershire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.062,-2.343

Little Malvern

Place: village

Wikidata: Q576836

Wikipedia: en:Little Malvern

Lat/Long: 52.0619167/-2.3367585

Shire Ditch

Heritage Site in Herefordshire / Worcestershire

England

Shire Ditch

Shire Ditch Images

What 3 Words

Nearby Locations

Related Wikis

Little Malvern

Tinkers Hill

St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church

Herefordshire Beacon

British Camp

Upper Welland

Abbey College, Malvern

Swinyard Hill

Nearby Amenities

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