Coney's Castle

Coney's Castle

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Coney's Castle shown within Dorset
(grid reference SY372975)

Coney's Castle is an Iron Age hillfort in Dorset, England. The name Coney is from the Old English for rabbit (Latin cuniculus), suggesting medieval use as a domestic warren, as at nearby Pilsdon Pen.

The fort is on a narrow north–south ridge reaching a height of 210 m, with linear ramparts across the ridge, steep natural slopes to the west and a high artificial rampart with ditch to the east.

3D view of the digital terrain model

A small lane runs along the ridge, bisecting the hillfort. The lane is also part of the Wessex Ridgeway long-distance trail.[1] There is a convenient car park next to the north rampart.

The remains of the hillfort are designated as a scheduled monument[2] and was on the Heritage at Risk Register but was removed in 2022 as a result of the Hillforts and Habitats Project.[3] The site is looked after by the National Trust as is Lambert's Castle about 1.5 km to the north.[4]

See also

• Lambert's Castle
• Pilsdon Pen

50.77367°N 2.89200°W / 50.77367; -2.89200

References

1. "LDWA Wessex Ridgewa". Long Distance Walkers Association. Archived from the original on 3 August 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
2. Historic England. "Small multivallate hillfort with outworks called Coney's Castle, Whitchurch Canonicorum (1003208)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
3. "'Fine condition': Hillforts no longer 'at risk' after protection work". Bridport and Lyme Regis News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
4. "Lambert's and Coney's Castle". National Trust. Retrieved 1 December 2021.