West Hill camp (Kirknewton)
NT 90972950 Camp. Hut circles. (NR)(1)
Newton Hill Camp: Somewhat oval in shape with internal diameters of about 70 yards by 50, but varying in the exterior rampart, which is elongated towards the north-east; 'incloses a quadrangular space within a strong wall of stones of about 20 yards each way, and contains on the west side, protected from the prevailing wind, about four circular dwellings. There is (c.1867) in all these cases, merely the foundation walls of the dwellings, and they vary in diameter from 20 to 30 feet. There are several of these circular inclosures within the camp'. (2)(3)
Situated on the summit of a hill with steep natural slopes to the north and west and slighter slopes to the east and south.
The earthwork consists of an inner rampart following the contour of the hill top and an outer rampart at a varying distance from the inner bank and not following the contour. Interrupting this outer bank to the north-east is a small D-shaped enclosure. The inner rampart is of earth and stones and follows the edge of the knoll that crowns the top of the hill. In many places the outer side of the bank merges with the natural slopes of the knoll but where distinguishable it has an average width of 5m and a maximum height of 1m internally. The bank is strongest in the vicinity of the entrance on the east side. The enclosed area has been badly disturbed but five hut circles could could definitely be identified with two other possible circles. The diameter of the huts vary from 5m to 6m.
The outer rampart is also of earth and stones and varies in width from 3m to 5m with a maximum height of 1m. There are two gaps on the east side, that to the south being more probably the original entrance, the rampart here being much stronger.
The D-shaped enclosure that interrupts the outer bank is contained by a bank of earth and stones 3m to 5m wide with a maximum height of 0.7m. The entrance is in the straight north-east side and here again the bank is strongest. In the enclosed area four hut circles could definitely be identified with two other possible circles; they vary in diameter from 5m to 7m. A line of outcrop and stones across the enclosures suggests that at one time the outer bank of the main earthwork was continuous. This is presumably the cross bank referred to, inferring that the D-shaped enclosure was a secondary feature.
The traces of the bank are largely outcrop rock and it may be an entirely natural feature. In any case the method of construction of the small enclosure and the main earthwork are so similar that if the former was a secondary feature the time lapse was probably quite short.
It is concluded that the earthwork was defensive in character with the outer bank forming a large outer enclosure probably for stock and that the D-shaped enclosure to the north east was probably built about the same period although not necessarily at the same time.
Earthworks of this type with defensive inner area and non-concentric outer bank are usually attributed to the native period.
The nearest water supply is the College Burn to the west. Site now under pasture. (4)
Listed under pre-Roman Iron Age multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures) with an overlying settlement of round stone huts. (5)
A small sub-rectangular enclosure (listed as an enclosed stone-built Romano-British settlement) sits firmly on top of the outer ring work. (6)
A fort in fair condition. The hut sites visible in the inner enclosure show evidence of stone founding and these together with the intrusive enclosure on the outer rampart are clearly secondary. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (7)
An Iron Age fort basically as described by authority 4, overlaid by an a Romano-British enclosed settelement.
In the fort the inner enclosure, measuring about 70m north-south by 60m east-west, is formed by a stone wall (defined by many outer and a few inner facing stones) varying from 3m to 4.5m maximum width at the entrance in the east. The huts are as described.
The outer enclosure (measuring 130m north-south by 105m east-west is formed by a less massive wall varying from 1.8m to 2.9m wide and expanding to about 4.6m at the entrance in the east. (There is only one entrance here as the northern gap is most probably later mutilation.
At NT 9096 2957 set on the outside of the outer wall are the remains of a later open ended enclosure 8m east-west by 7m.
The sub-circular enclosure definitely overlays the outer wall of the fort and as stated by authority 6 is in a Romano-British enclosed settlement containing six circular stone-walled houses. The wall of this enclosure is about 2m thick all round except the north-east straight wall which is 4.8m thick. The wall is pierced by an entrance 2.5m wide. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (8)
West Hill camp, scheduled monument Northum 221. A cairn on an oval mound about 30 yards by 10 yards surrounded by a curvilinear rampart 74 yards north-south and 64 yards east-west, entrance to east, surrounded in its turn by an oval enclosure 122 yards north-south by 130 yards east-west with its entrance on the south-east. The outer rampart is cut by an enclosure about 43 yards square with an opening in its east end and its west and elliptical in plan; its south side is on and parallel with the long axis of the outer rampart; a track seems to have passed its east face. There are no 'hut circles'. The ramparts were of stones and earth but the stones have mostly been removed to build a modern wall for a field south-east of the enclosure.
There are about five hut circles, with an average diameter of 5m and constructed of rough stones. (9)
NT 909295 West Hill. Cord rig in small plot cultivation, contemporary with enclosed stone-built settlement. Also cord rig later than fort. (10)
Detailed survey work by English Heritage has suggested that a slight depression noted by Jobey as a possible palisade trench may be part of a substantial earlier enclosure. The hillfort can be shown to have been reoccupied and partially rebuilt in the Romano-British period; almost all the settlement remains visible in the interior are of that date. An outer enclosure is probably also of Romano-British origin. There appears to be an estate boundary which runs for more than a kilometre around the foot of the hill, within which is a prehistoric and Romano-British field system. There is also a rare example of an andesite (granite) cup marked rock, probably of later Neolithic date. (11)
A full survey was carried out by English Heritage in 1999-2000. The main features identified were: the stone-built Iron Age hillfort, an arc of bank and ditch which may be part of an earlier enclosure (see SMR13325), an outer enclosure around the hillfort that may be of Romano-British date, and a small enclosed settlement built in the bank of the outer enclosure and probably Romano-British in date. There are also a number of structures inside the hillfort and most of them are probably Romano-British.
The hillfort measures 67m north-south by 52m east-west, enclosing an area of 0.28ha. The ramparts are mostly a tumble of turf-covered stones, spread about 9m wide and, by enhancing the natural slope, stand up to 1.4m high. Parts of the external stone facing of the rampart wall survive around much of the hillfort. The internal face is visible on the south-east side. The rampart wall was originally 3m wide and had a rubble core. The east entrance was probably about 2.4m wide originally, the gap in the south-west side is not considered to have been an original entrance. Although the hut circles inside the hillfort have been previously identified as Iron Age, this survey regards all but one as probably Romano-British and probably contemporary with the outer enclosure. After the hillfort began to collapse the western side seems to have been rebuilt, probably in the Romano-British period. Stone was robbed from the rampart and was probably used to built the Romano-British enclosed settlement. (12)(13)
Scheduled. (14)
The site is visible on a number of aerial photographs. (15a, 15k-n)
(NT 9097 2950). Fort & settlement [NR]. (15b)
NT 910 295. West Hill camp. Scheduled No. ND/221. (15c)
NT 909 295. West Hill. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.28ha. (15d)
NT 9096 2951. Between December 1999 and March 2000, English Heritage carried out a detailed field investigation of the Iron Age hillfort on West Hill (NT 92 NW 31), together with an area of 0.5km2 around it, following a request from the Northumberland National Park (Event record 1300646).
The earthworks are essentialy as described by previous investigators. The stone-built hillfort, presumably of Iron Age date, is fairly well-preserved. Extensive stretches of the lowermost course of the outer wall facing, and short stretches of the inner face survive, indicating that the wall was 3.0m wide. The sole original gateway faces east. The siting of the hillfort is remarkable in that the rampart has a pronounced tilt across the contours. In the interior, detailed analysis of the surface traces has identified a single possible example of a house site which employs 'ring groove' construction. The earthworks have been planned by HH McLaughlan (1860), the Ordnance Survey (1860 onwards), G Jobey (c.1964) and English Heritage (2000), but have never been excavated. The hillfort overlies a possible banked-and-ditched enclosure (NT 92 NW 112) of unknown prehistoric date, first identified by Jobey. The hillfort was interpreted by early field investigations as bivallate, but it is likely that the so-called outer circuit was added after the collapse or destruction of the main rampart, probably in the Romano-British period; almost all the house sites visible within the hillfort demonstrably post-date the rampart and are probably Romano-British. This major remodelling is therefore recorded as a separate monument (NT 92 NW 113). In addition, a separate Romano-British enclosed settlement (NT 92 NW 114) overlies part of the outer bank.
For further information, see the Level 3 report on the field investigation, which includes a full textual description and interpretation of the remains, copies of plans surveyed at various scales, selected photographs and interpretative drawings. The remainder of the archive material is also available through the NMR. (15e)
The site was mapped by Rog Palmer from aerial photographs. (15k-n)
The Iron Age stone-built hillfort (as described above) on the summit of West Hill (see NT 92 NW 31) is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. The sole original gateway faces east, the site is centred at NT 9097 2951.
The hillfort overlies a possible banked-and-ditched enclosure (see NT 92 NW 112) of unknown prehistoric date that is not discernible from the available aerial photographs.
The Prehistoric or Roman reuse and occupation of the site (see NT 92 NW 113) is visible as earthworks, evidenced by three stone hut circles and a rectilinear structure overlying the collapsed hillfort rampart, the area is centred at NT 9097 2951.
A separate Prehistoric or Roman D-shaped enclosed settlement (see NT 92 NW 114) overlies part of the outer bank and is centred at NT 9101 2955. Visible within the D-shaped enclosure there are four stone-built circular structures and two rectangular structures.
A 19th-century cairn and Ordnance Survey County Series trig point (see NT 92 NW 116) is centred at NT 9096 2949. (15o)
General assoication with HER 13337. (15)
Newton Hill Camp: Somewhat oval in shape with internal diameters of about 70 yards by 50, but varying in the exterior rampart, which is elongated towards the north-east; 'incloses a quadrangular space within a strong wall of stones of about 20 yards each way, and contains on the west side, protected from the prevailing wind, about four circular dwellings. There is (c.1867) in all these cases, merely the foundation walls of the dwellings, and they vary in diameter from 20 to 30 feet. There are several of these circular inclosures within the camp'. (2)(3)
Situated on the summit of a hill with steep natural slopes to the north and west and slighter slopes to the east and south.
The earthwork consists of an inner rampart following the contour of the hill top and an outer rampart at a varying distance from the inner bank and not following the contour. Interrupting this outer bank to the north-east is a small D-shaped enclosure. The inner rampart is of earth and stones and follows the edge of the knoll that crowns the top of the hill. In many places the outer side of the bank merges with the natural slopes of the knoll but where distinguishable it has an average width of 5m and a maximum height of 1m internally. The bank is strongest in the vicinity of the entrance on the east side. The enclosed area has been badly disturbed but five hut circles could could definitely be identified with two other possible circles. The diameter of the huts vary from 5m to 6m.
The outer rampart is also of earth and stones and varies in width from 3m to 5m with a maximum height of 1m. There are two gaps on the east side, that to the south being more probably the original entrance, the rampart here being much stronger.
The D-shaped enclosure that interrupts the outer bank is contained by a bank of earth and stones 3m to 5m wide with a maximum height of 0.7m. The entrance is in the straight north-east side and here again the bank is strongest. In the enclosed area four hut circles could definitely be identified with two other possible circles; they vary in diameter from 5m to 7m. A line of outcrop and stones across the enclosures suggests that at one time the outer bank of the main earthwork was continuous. This is presumably the cross bank referred to, inferring that the D-shaped enclosure was a secondary feature.
The traces of the bank are largely outcrop rock and it may be an entirely natural feature. In any case the method of construction of the small enclosure and the main earthwork are so similar that if the former was a secondary feature the time lapse was probably quite short.
It is concluded that the earthwork was defensive in character with the outer bank forming a large outer enclosure probably for stock and that the D-shaped enclosure to the north east was probably built about the same period although not necessarily at the same time.
Earthworks of this type with defensive inner area and non-concentric outer bank are usually attributed to the native period.
The nearest water supply is the College Burn to the west. Site now under pasture. (4)
Listed under pre-Roman Iron Age multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures) with an overlying settlement of round stone huts. (5)
A small sub-rectangular enclosure (listed as an enclosed stone-built Romano-British settlement) sits firmly on top of the outer ring work. (6)
A fort in fair condition. The hut sites visible in the inner enclosure show evidence of stone founding and these together with the intrusive enclosure on the outer rampart are clearly secondary. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (7)
An Iron Age fort basically as described by authority 4, overlaid by an a Romano-British enclosed settelement.
In the fort the inner enclosure, measuring about 70m north-south by 60m east-west, is formed by a stone wall (defined by many outer and a few inner facing stones) varying from 3m to 4.5m maximum width at the entrance in the east. The huts are as described.
The outer enclosure (measuring 130m north-south by 105m east-west is formed by a less massive wall varying from 1.8m to 2.9m wide and expanding to about 4.6m at the entrance in the east. (There is only one entrance here as the northern gap is most probably later mutilation.
At NT 9096 2957 set on the outside of the outer wall are the remains of a later open ended enclosure 8m east-west by 7m.
The sub-circular enclosure definitely overlays the outer wall of the fort and as stated by authority 6 is in a Romano-British enclosed settlement containing six circular stone-walled houses. The wall of this enclosure is about 2m thick all round except the north-east straight wall which is 4.8m thick. The wall is pierced by an entrance 2.5m wide. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (8)
West Hill camp, scheduled monument Northum 221. A cairn on an oval mound about 30 yards by 10 yards surrounded by a curvilinear rampart 74 yards north-south and 64 yards east-west, entrance to east, surrounded in its turn by an oval enclosure 122 yards north-south by 130 yards east-west with its entrance on the south-east. The outer rampart is cut by an enclosure about 43 yards square with an opening in its east end and its west and elliptical in plan; its south side is on and parallel with the long axis of the outer rampart; a track seems to have passed its east face. There are no 'hut circles'. The ramparts were of stones and earth but the stones have mostly been removed to build a modern wall for a field south-east of the enclosure.
There are about five hut circles, with an average diameter of 5m and constructed of rough stones. (9)
NT 909295 West Hill. Cord rig in small plot cultivation, contemporary with enclosed stone-built settlement. Also cord rig later than fort. (10)
Detailed survey work by English Heritage has suggested that a slight depression noted by Jobey as a possible palisade trench may be part of a substantial earlier enclosure. The hillfort can be shown to have been reoccupied and partially rebuilt in the Romano-British period; almost all the settlement remains visible in the interior are of that date. An outer enclosure is probably also of Romano-British origin. There appears to be an estate boundary which runs for more than a kilometre around the foot of the hill, within which is a prehistoric and Romano-British field system. There is also a rare example of an andesite (granite) cup marked rock, probably of later Neolithic date. (11)
A full survey was carried out by English Heritage in 1999-2000. The main features identified were: the stone-built Iron Age hillfort, an arc of bank and ditch which may be part of an earlier enclosure (see SMR13325), an outer enclosure around the hillfort that may be of Romano-British date, and a small enclosed settlement built in the bank of the outer enclosure and probably Romano-British in date. There are also a number of structures inside the hillfort and most of them are probably Romano-British.
The hillfort measures 67m north-south by 52m east-west, enclosing an area of 0.28ha. The ramparts are mostly a tumble of turf-covered stones, spread about 9m wide and, by enhancing the natural slope, stand up to 1.4m high. Parts of the external stone facing of the rampart wall survive around much of the hillfort. The internal face is visible on the south-east side. The rampart wall was originally 3m wide and had a rubble core. The east entrance was probably about 2.4m wide originally, the gap in the south-west side is not considered to have been an original entrance. Although the hut circles inside the hillfort have been previously identified as Iron Age, this survey regards all but one as probably Romano-British and probably contemporary with the outer enclosure. After the hillfort began to collapse the western side seems to have been rebuilt, probably in the Romano-British period. Stone was robbed from the rampart and was probably used to built the Romano-British enclosed settlement. (12)(13)
Scheduled. (14)
The site is visible on a number of aerial photographs. (15a, 15k-n)
(NT 9097 2950). Fort & settlement [NR]. (15b)
NT 910 295. West Hill camp. Scheduled No. ND/221. (15c)
NT 909 295. West Hill. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.28ha. (15d)
NT 9096 2951. Between December 1999 and March 2000, English Heritage carried out a detailed field investigation of the Iron Age hillfort on West Hill (NT 92 NW 31), together with an area of 0.5km2 around it, following a request from the Northumberland National Park (Event record 1300646).
The earthworks are essentialy as described by previous investigators. The stone-built hillfort, presumably of Iron Age date, is fairly well-preserved. Extensive stretches of the lowermost course of the outer wall facing, and short stretches of the inner face survive, indicating that the wall was 3.0m wide. The sole original gateway faces east. The siting of the hillfort is remarkable in that the rampart has a pronounced tilt across the contours. In the interior, detailed analysis of the surface traces has identified a single possible example of a house site which employs 'ring groove' construction. The earthworks have been planned by HH McLaughlan (1860), the Ordnance Survey (1860 onwards), G Jobey (c.1964) and English Heritage (2000), but have never been excavated. The hillfort overlies a possible banked-and-ditched enclosure (NT 92 NW 112) of unknown prehistoric date, first identified by Jobey. The hillfort was interpreted by early field investigations as bivallate, but it is likely that the so-called outer circuit was added after the collapse or destruction of the main rampart, probably in the Romano-British period; almost all the house sites visible within the hillfort demonstrably post-date the rampart and are probably Romano-British. This major remodelling is therefore recorded as a separate monument (NT 92 NW 113). In addition, a separate Romano-British enclosed settlement (NT 92 NW 114) overlies part of the outer bank.
For further information, see the Level 3 report on the field investigation, which includes a full textual description and interpretation of the remains, copies of plans surveyed at various scales, selected photographs and interpretative drawings. The remainder of the archive material is also available through the NMR. (15e)
The site was mapped by Rog Palmer from aerial photographs. (15k-n)
The Iron Age stone-built hillfort (as described above) on the summit of West Hill (see NT 92 NW 31) is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. The sole original gateway faces east, the site is centred at NT 9097 2951.
The hillfort overlies a possible banked-and-ditched enclosure (see NT 92 NW 112) of unknown prehistoric date that is not discernible from the available aerial photographs.
The Prehistoric or Roman reuse and occupation of the site (see NT 92 NW 113) is visible as earthworks, evidenced by three stone hut circles and a rectilinear structure overlying the collapsed hillfort rampart, the area is centred at NT 9097 2951.
A separate Prehistoric or Roman D-shaped enclosed settlement (see NT 92 NW 114) overlies part of the outer bank and is centred at NT 9101 2955. Visible within the D-shaped enclosure there are four stone-built circular structures and two rectangular structures.
A 19th-century cairn and Ordnance Survey County Series trig point (see NT 92 NW 116) is centred at NT 9096 2949. (15o)
General assoication with HER 13337. (15)
N1417
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; I S Sainsbury
MEASURED SURVEY, An Iron Age Hillfort and it environs on West Hill, Northumberland 2000; ENGLISH HERITAGE
HISTORIC AREA ASSESSMENT, Kirknewton Village Atlas (HISTORIC BERWICK VILLAGE ATLAS) ; The Archaeological Practice Ltd
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Milfield Basin Aerial Survey ; RCHME
MEASURED SURVEY, English Heritage: hillforts in the Northumberland National Park project ; English Heritage
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; I S Sainsbury
MEASURED SURVEY, An Iron Age Hillfort and it environs on West Hill, Northumberland 2000; ENGLISH HERITAGE
HISTORIC AREA ASSESSMENT, Kirknewton Village Atlas (HISTORIC BERWICK VILLAGE ATLAS) ; The Archaeological Practice Ltd
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Milfield Basin Aerial Survey ; RCHME
MEASURED SURVEY, English Heritage: hillforts in the Northumberland National Park project ; English Heritage
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.