Dowsborough

Dowsborough is an oval-shaped fortification near Nether Stowey with a single rampart and ditch enclosing roughly 2.7 hectares of land at 340 meters elevation. The structure shows how Iron Age people used hillsides as defensive positions.

The site dates to the first millennium BC and originally served as a lookout point for Iron Age communities. It may have been reused or monitored later during King Alfred's era when threats came from the sea.

The site connects to the Great Bear Path, a walking route that links to an ancient road once used by King Alfred's forces.

The site sits on a hillside and is best visited in dry weather, as the ground can become waterlogged. A marked walking path exists, but sturdy footwear and time to explore the uneven terrain are essential.

An adjacent earthwork called Dead Woman's Ditch may have provided extra defenses on the western side but is often overlooked. Visitors typically focus on the main rampart and miss this mysteriously named feature.

Location: Nether Stowey

GPS coordinates: 51.14532,-3.20255

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42