(NU 00421682) Camp. (1)

A camp with irregular outline situated on the south-east slope of Ewe Hill. In some places there is only one rampart but in others there are two, but varying greatly in their distance apart. The inner enclosure measures approximately 80 yards each way. (2)

Ewe Hill. Irregular earthwork with multiple ramparts enclosing approximately 1 acre. (3)

Type B2 (Forts on high ground less dependent on natural slopes for protection. (4)

Native Site.
The gateway is at the lower south-east end, with the inner rampart forming a traverse. There are faint traces of road leading from the gate down to the river.
There are two circular foundations in the north-west part of the interior and other irregular shaped dwellings to the north, sheltered by rocks. (5)

Remains of an earthwork are situated upon the south-east moorland pasture slopes of Ewe Hill, at approximately 750 feet above sea-level. The north-west perimeter of the site is upon the highest part of the hill. There are long precipitous slopes to the south and west and more
gentle slopes on the north and east falling to a saddle separating Ewe Hill from rising open moorland to the north-east.
The earthwork is of an irregular shape in plan but is more ciruclar than rectangular. It consists of double ramparts constructed of loose unhewn stone except on the north-west side, where they merge into a single rampart. On the hilltop, the ramparts are built over outcrops of living rock, which also cover most of the interior on the north side. The only entrance is in the lowest part of the earthwork on the south-east side. A slight hollow way has been formed through it, and on the south side, the two ramparts are connected. On the north side on the interior side of the inner rampart is a small enclosure. Another exists on the south angle of the interior, whilst a third, possibly of a late date of construction, lies against the north-west side of a stone bank connecting the rwo ramparts on the north-east side.
One well-preserved hut circle of 6m diameter, with an entrance in the south-east side, is connected to the ramparts by two banks. A fragment of bank upon a platform, 20m north of the hut circle, may be remains of a second hut circle.
The nearest present fresh water supply is a small moorland stream to the east.
The site overlooks the valley of the Breamish River to the east, south and west and is a very commanding position, with extensive views in all directions from the north side.
On the east side, a little north of the entrance, a stony bank runs south-east down the ridge to lower ground. It appears to be an old field bank, but may have been intended to demarcate the track leading to the water supply.
South of the entrance, a slight scarp may be traces of a third outer rampart.
The siting is definitely poor, there being much dead ground to the north and west. It is on these vulnerable sides that the artificial defences are weakest, consisting either of a single bank or two spaced ramparts. The subdivided spaces between the ramparts are obviously intended for stock. It would appear that the earthwork was intended as a shelter for a small community and their stock. (6)

Listed under Romano-British enclosed stone-built settlements. (7)

The work consists of a large sub-circular enclosure with an annex to the north-east. Where best preserved it is formed by a single stone wall 3.5m wide constructed of orthostats with rubble infilling.
On the south side this wall has been completely grubbed out leaving a deep and wide 'robber trench' with scattered rubble debris, mainly on the downhill side, thus creating the 'double rampart' effect noted by early authorities.
The orthostatic construction (generally weaker) and stone-founded type of internal hut site are common features of local native settlement; but the undue strength of the perimeter wall, size of the enclosure compared to the number of huts (possibly two) that it contains, and reasonably sound natural defensive position all suggest a combination of the Iron Age and Romano-British traditions. Published survey (25 inches) revised. (8)

Mainly as described in report 25/3/70. The remains are in a fair state of preservation. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (9)

The remains of this fort are situated immediately South of the summit of Ewe Hill at a height of 225m OD, a situation affording panoramic views along the Breamish valley, particularly to the East. The site is of irregular plan, created by successive additions to the defences. Initially the fort was of sub-oval univallate form, 66m wide internally, enclosed by boulder-faced walls up to 6.5m
thick and with a maximum height of 1.6m. An entrance 4.0m wide was located in the East wall. At a later date an annexe was added to the Northern wall with walling 4.2m thick and 0.6m high [A]. The annexe was sub-divided into three compartments, the central one containing the foundations of a later possible shieling [B] (see also [NU 0016/7]). Perhaps of the same phase as the annexe was an inner wall added to the defences of the Southern perimeter, 5.0m thick and 1.4m high [C]. Additionally two outer hornworks were added to the entrance [D], 4.5m wide and with a maximum height of 1.5m. Internally only one hut circle was recorded [E], built of faced stone walls 1.8m thick and 0.6m high and with an East-facing entrance 1.3m wide. Three small sub-enclosures are formed by comparatively insignificant walls no more than 1.0m thick and 0.3m high [F, G and H], and two low cairns with a maximum height of 0.8m are the other principal features of the interior [I and J]. A terrace in the Northern half of the site appears to be featureless. The foundations of a boundary wall [NU 0016/24] appear to be contemporary with the Northern hornwork, and may delimit a field boundary or define a trackway leading to the site. A linear clearance bank [NU 0016/30] may indicate that this boundary was connected with an enclosed field.
The linear feature [NU 0016/30] noted in the previous paragraph looks more like an outwork to the fort than clearance; it continues the line of the annexe wall from the North-West and, though lower, is of similar composition. It overlooks the slack to the East which from the fort rampart itself is dead ground. Too much weight should not be given to the latter consideration however, as the whole situation of the fort on the South-facing slope of the hill leaves considerable areas of dead ground to the North; even the Northern annexe does not bring the fort defences to the lip of the summit. The East-facing entrance of the single house seems to look directly through the fort entrance.
An Iron Age/Roman hillfort or enclosed settlement, centred at NU 0041 1681, is visible as an earthwork on air photographs. The features described by authority 10 are visible on the air photographs available (as is the second hut circle identified by authority 6). The internal area of the main enclosure is 0.4ha, expanding to 0.6ha with the various annexes. A field boundary abuts the main enclosure on its south side (NU 01 NW 111). (10)

General association with HER 34404. (11)