Brent Hill Fort

Database entries

PDW coverage: Dartmoor Resource: Table of Devon Iron Age Forts
OS Map: SX 70394 61725
OS Source: Google
HER: MDV7957
Megalithic Portal: 7753
Alternate name: Brent Hill
Short Name: FT:Brent Hill
Exist: Yes
Record: Unique
Record Source: PDW
Cairn Class: No
Lidar: SX 70394 61725
Nearby sites: SX 70394 61725

Notes

This monument includes a slight univallate hillfort with outworks, hut circle platforms and beacon situated at the summit of the prominent Brent Hill. The hillfort survives as an irregularly shaped enclosure surrounding the summit of a naturally steep and rocky hillside which is further enhanced by a partial rampart and ditch. There is an extension to the rampart circuit on the south western side where natural defences are weaker and to the south east a second outwork in the form of a short length of outer rampart and partially buried ditch connects with steeper natural slopes to the north west and south east. The artificial ramparts are best preserved to the south and attain an overall maximum width of approximately 9m. The original entrance is to the north east where the outwork adds additional protection. The circuit of the rampart is defined almost through out its entire length by a later field boundary which overlies it. Within the enclosure are the circular platforms of up to three huts which vary in size from 8m to 11m in diameter. There is also a faint rectangular earthwork immediately east of the chapel which survives as a rectangular ditch with an external bank enclosing an area measuring approximately 12m long by 10m wide. The summit of the hill is a well documented beacon site and it is named 'Brent Beacon' on Ogilby's map of 1675, Donn's Map and Cary's map. Dartington churchwardens' accounts of 1591, 1628 and 1690 list parish contributions for the upkeep of the beacon and the 1591 entry includes items paid for the construction of a house for the watchman. The rectangular structure is often interpreted as this house.

References

These are selected references with an emphasis on out of copyright sources linked as PDFs. For more detailed references try any linked HER or PMD record above.

• Rowe, Samuel, A Perambulation of Dartmoor (3rd Edition), (1896)
• Silvester, R., The Relationship of First Millennium Settlement to the Upland Areas of the South West., D.A.S.P. No.37 pp.178-179 (1979)
• Worth, R.N., Roman Devon (Presidential Address), T.D.A. Vol.23 pp.25-101 (1891)