Eggardon Hillfort

"Eggardon Hill Fort has impressive 360 degree views across the County. The drive up to the fort is worth experiencing itself.

Eggardon Hill is an iron-age hillfort which, arguably, has one of the finest views of any hill-fort in the county. On a clear day from there you can see right across Lyme Bay to South Devon and Start Point.

Some complain that the problem with hillforts is that they are on hills! Eggardon Hill is minimum effort, maximum reward, and is best approached on the promontory from the east, having come along the line of the Roman Road.

There are two Bronze Age barrows within the Iron Age fort, as well as more modern remains. Field boundaries, and a huge octagonal feature run across the interior, but these are well disguised by taller grass, thistles and nettles in summer. The octagonal feature has been described as an arboretum, or coppice, and was also used to give navigational assistance to sea farers.

Two original entrances to the fort are on the south east, and north west sides. These are not inturned like many hillforts, but cut through the ramparts at a steep diagonal angle to offer greater defence. A fence runs straight through the middle of this fort which starts to spoil the effect but you can access the entirety, once you find that elusive gate to the second side.
Only the light changes on Eggardon, it is never quite the same as the patterns of sun and shadow drift across the landscape in an infinite variety of ways. It is a very impressive location, with a near 360 degrees panorama, and is worth a visit for the views alone." (www.hiddendorset.org)