Bindon Hill

Bindon Hill is an Iron Age fortified enclosure on the Dorset coast near West Lulworth. A long defensive rampart with an external ditch runs across the ridge and encloses a large pasture area suitable for keeping livestock.

The enclosure was built during the Iron Age when many such settlements appeared across southern England. Medieval records later referred to the structure as an ancient defensive boundary.

The site served as a grazing ground for livestock in Iron Age times, as shown by discoveries of animal bones and farming tools. People built and maintained the defensive structures to protect their herds and agricultural activities.

The site is accessible via footpaths from West Lulworth village or the South West Coast Path and offers open hilltop views. Good walking shoes are recommended because the terrain is rolling and often exposed to wind.

A portion of the site remains active as a military gunnery range and has restricted access during training periods. This unusual overlap between ancient heritage and modern defense activities makes it a complex place to visit.

Location: Dorset

Location: West Lulworth

Elevation above the sea: 168 m

Part of: Purbeck Hills

GPS coordinates: 50.62160,-2.23554

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:58