Discovering the Majestic Hillfort of Maiden Castle (Video)

Maiden Castle is the largest hill fort in Britain and one of the largest in Europe. Built in 600 BC and greatly expanded in 450 BC, the fort is on top of a large hill which is 914 m long, that’s about as long as 10 football pitches. In the Iron Age, hundreds of people lived there

Perched atop Dorset’s chalky cliffs, Maiden Castle stands as a testament to the might and power of Britain’s ancient past. This awe-inspiring hillfort, one of the largest in the country, captivates with its imposing ramparts and ditches that dominate the surrounding landscape. Constructed during the early to mid Iron Age, between 800 and 300 BC, Maiden Castle’s remarkable fortifications leave a lasting impression. Despite the passage of over 2,000 years, the fort still retains its visual grandeur, even though it has slumped over time. The chalk-white ramparts, combined with the palisades at the top, were designed to make a bold statement of power and authority. This mighty structure would have been visible from a distance, asserting the dominance of those who oversaw its construction.

Maiden Castle’s strategic location and formidable defenses suggest that it was a center of immense significance. While its exact purpose remains shrouded in mystery, evidence of warfare preparations and the presence of round houses within its interior have been unearthed through excavations. As the centuries passed, the significance of Maiden Castle diminished, and smaller farmsteads replaced its prominence. However, the fort’s legacy endures, offering a captivating glimpse into the lives of Iron Age communities and their architectural prowess.

• Mementos for the Dead: Surprising Burial Customs in Iron Age Britain
• Own Your Own Piece of Ancient History – Buy an Iron Age Hillfort!

​

Top image: Maiden Castle, Dorset. Source: David Matthew Lyons / Adobe Stock.

By Robbie Mitchell