Abbotsbury Castle

Abbotsbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort perched on Wears Hill overlooking Lyme Bay. The site features double ramparts and earthen banks spread across roughly 10 acres.

The Celtic Durotriges built and occupied this fortification until AD 43, when the Roman Second Augustan Legion under Vespasian captured it. This conquest marked the end of Iron Age settlement and the start of Roman control.

The remains of ancient hut foundations within the enclosure show how people lived and organized their community during the Iron Age. Walking through the site gives you a sense of how daily life functioned in this fortified settlement.

The site is accessible via a lane from the B3157 road leading to Wears Hill, with a small parking area at the entrance. The ground is uneven and muddy, especially after rain, so sturdy footwear and warm clothing are advisable.

A Tudor-period beacon post near the castle marks a historic lookout point where warnings were signaled to approaching threats. This post played a key role in defending against dangers such as the Spanish Armada.

Location: Abbotsbury

GPS coordinates: 50.67700,-2.63014

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00