Soldier's Fold (Hepple)
(NY 97529943) Hepple (Soldier's Fold). An oval earthwork with single rampart enclosing approximately 1 acre. (1)
A circular enclosure with one rampart on the hillside south of the Elsdon road, between Swindon and Woodside Bridge. The low-lying site of this earthwork, close to Swindon Burn, probably indicates a cattle enclosure. (2)
About 200 yards south west of the cottages called Swindon is a camp called the Soldier's Fold. !It is in the form of an oval, with interior diameters about 85 and 65 yards. It is on the side of a rapidly falling hill, but a little above the burn, and with a water course running through it at some time, leading to the idea that it was a place for securing cattle as well as for defence. (3)
Type B2 (forts on high ground less dependant on natural slopes for protection). (4)
Scheduled Ancient Monument (county no 47). (5) [Incorrect - SAM 47 is NY99NE 4].
NY 97149945. Remains of an oval-shaped earthwork, situated at approx 400 feet above sea level, lie upon a steep north-west slope of heather and pasture-covered moorland, a little above the Grasslees Burn. The site overlooks the broad valley of the River Coquet to the north-east, and faces steep slopes across the burn to the north and west. To the south and east visibility is limited over rising ground which terminates in Rimside Hill, the summit of which is some 250 feet above the site immediately to the south.
The earthwork consisted of a strong rampart with an outer ditch on the west, south and east sides.
The former composition of the north side cannot now be ascertained. There are indications of the rampart having been carried round, but a trackway has obliterated all traces for the greater part of the distance. Very steep slopes below the side would afford some natural defence.
There are no traces of original entrances, but a hollow way which crosses the site from east to west may pass through the former entrances.
A circular scooped area in the south-west quadrant may indicate a large hut circle. There are no other surface indications of interior occupation. The south half of the enclosure is bracken covered.
The nearest present fresh water supply is the burn on the north-west side. (6)
(Listed under univallate enclosures on slopes). One of a small number which are circular or oval in form, and mainly univallate, with an internal mound, medial ditch, and counterscarp bank in fairly typical fashion. They possess few other distinguishing features that would assist in their classification, but their perimeters are such that they have a claim to a tentative inclusion in any list of pre-Roman/Iron Age works. It is conceivable that some may be no more than stock
enclosures. (7)
Generally as described by F1. Surveyed at 1:2500. (8)
NY 9715 9946. Soldiers Fold univallate hillfort, 300m SW of Swindon. Scheduled RSM No 20913. The oval enclosure measures 82m NE to SW by 55m NW to SE within a single rampart and ditch on the E, W and S sides; the N portion of the rampart is now obscured by a modern terraced track which clips the N edge of the monument. The very well preserved rampart is 6m wide and up to 1.8m high; on the S side there are clear traces of dry stone revetting. The ditch is up to 1.7m deep and 8m wide. There is a possible original entrance in the SW corner of the enclosure, where there are slight indications of a causeway across the ditch accompanied by a break in the rampart. (9)
Site visited as part of Farm Environmental Plan where noted as covered in bracken and with rabbit erosion. (10)
A circular enclosure with one rampart on the hillside south of the Elsdon road, between Swindon and Woodside Bridge. The low-lying site of this earthwork, close to Swindon Burn, probably indicates a cattle enclosure. (2)
About 200 yards south west of the cottages called Swindon is a camp called the Soldier's Fold. !It is in the form of an oval, with interior diameters about 85 and 65 yards. It is on the side of a rapidly falling hill, but a little above the burn, and with a water course running through it at some time, leading to the idea that it was a place for securing cattle as well as for defence. (3)
Type B2 (forts on high ground less dependant on natural slopes for protection). (4)
Scheduled Ancient Monument (county no 47). (5) [Incorrect - SAM 47 is NY99NE 4].
NY 97149945. Remains of an oval-shaped earthwork, situated at approx 400 feet above sea level, lie upon a steep north-west slope of heather and pasture-covered moorland, a little above the Grasslees Burn. The site overlooks the broad valley of the River Coquet to the north-east, and faces steep slopes across the burn to the north and west. To the south and east visibility is limited over rising ground which terminates in Rimside Hill, the summit of which is some 250 feet above the site immediately to the south.
The earthwork consisted of a strong rampart with an outer ditch on the west, south and east sides.
The former composition of the north side cannot now be ascertained. There are indications of the rampart having been carried round, but a trackway has obliterated all traces for the greater part of the distance. Very steep slopes below the side would afford some natural defence.
There are no traces of original entrances, but a hollow way which crosses the site from east to west may pass through the former entrances.
A circular scooped area in the south-west quadrant may indicate a large hut circle. There are no other surface indications of interior occupation. The south half of the enclosure is bracken covered.
The nearest present fresh water supply is the burn on the north-west side. (6)
(Listed under univallate enclosures on slopes). One of a small number which are circular or oval in form, and mainly univallate, with an internal mound, medial ditch, and counterscarp bank in fairly typical fashion. They possess few other distinguishing features that would assist in their classification, but their perimeters are such that they have a claim to a tentative inclusion in any list of pre-Roman/Iron Age works. It is conceivable that some may be no more than stock
enclosures. (7)
Generally as described by F1. Surveyed at 1:2500. (8)
NY 9715 9946. Soldiers Fold univallate hillfort, 300m SW of Swindon. Scheduled RSM No 20913. The oval enclosure measures 82m NE to SW by 55m NW to SE within a single rampart and ditch on the E, W and S sides; the N portion of the rampart is now obscured by a modern terraced track which clips the N edge of the monument. The very well preserved rampart is 6m wide and up to 1.8m high; on the S side there are clear traces of dry stone revetting. The ditch is up to 1.7m deep and 8m wide. There is a possible original entrance in the SW corner of the enclosure, where there are slight indications of a causeway across the ditch accompanied by a break in the rampart. (9)
Site visited as part of Farm Environmental Plan where noted as covered in bracken and with rabbit erosion. (10)
N9700
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; D Smith
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; D Smith
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
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