Devil's Dyke, Hertfordshire

Devil's Dyke in Wheathampstead is an ancient earthwork with a ditch that runs for roughly 460 meters and once served as a defensive structure. The ditch is about 15 meters deep and 40 meters wide, forming a substantial barrier that cuts across the landscape.

This earthwork was built before the Roman invasion of Britain and served as a fortified center for the Catuvellauni tribe around 54 BC. The site shows the military strength of a pre-Roman British society.

The earthwork shows how early British communities organized and protected their lands. This kind of construction speaks to the craftsmanship and social order that people understood at the time.

The site is easily reached from Wheathampstead village, and informational signs explain the archaeological significance on location. Visitors should expect muddy and slippery slopes when the ground is wet.

The northern section features distinctively shaped hornbeam trees that are coppiced regularly and create a particular wooded pattern. In May, bluebells color the slopes in soft shades of blue.

Location: Wheathampstead

Part of: Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad

GPS coordinates: 51.80670,-0.28555

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:20