Exploring the ancient hillforts of Dorset is like stepping back in time to Britain’s Iron Age. These impressive structures offer more than just historical value.
They also provide stunning panoramic views and a glimpse into the strategic importance they once held.
From Maiden Castle near Dorchester to Hambledon Hill, each site offers unique landscapes and stories.
Learn about the history, location, and significance of these 15 notable hillforts.
This guide will help visitors discover the best spots for hiking, photography, and absorbing some of the richest pieces of England’s heritage.
Table of Contents
Abbotsbury Castle
Abbotsbury Castle is an Iron Age hillfort located on Wears Hill, high above the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset.
The fort covers about 10 acres, with 4.5 acres within the ramparts. It offers breathtaking views of the English Channel and the Jurassic Coast, making it a must-visit for scenic walks.
The Romans quickly took over the fort, which was originally occupied by the Celtic Durotriges tribe.
Today, the site features visible ramparts, a beacon, and remnants of a WWII gun emplacement.
💡 Key Information:
- You can reach it by footpath
- Limited parking available nearby
- High chalk hill with panoramic views
- Dog Friendly
📍 Weymouth DT3 4JZ
Badbury Rings
Badbury Rings stands 100 metres above sea level. This Iron Age hill fort is a stunning slice of Dorset countryside.
It’s known for its chalk grassland habitat, which is home to many protected species.
The fort, built around 800 BC, forms part of the Kingston Lacy estate and is now managed by the National Trust.
Visitors can enjoy scenic walking trails, picnicking, and kite flying with panoramic views.
Badbury Rings also has an exciting history. In the Roman era, a temple was located to the west of the fort, and a Romano-British town, Vindocladia, was nearby. The fort itself shows two main phases of construction.
💡 Key Information:
- Popular for walking trails, picnics, and kiting
- Undulating and uneven ground
- No toilets, Pay-and-display car park
- Dogs Friendly
📍 Blandford Rd, Shapwick, Blandford Forum DT11 9JL
Bindon Hill
Bindon Hill, located near Lulworth Cove, is a stunning Iron Age earthwork. The site stretches over 2 km along an east-west ridge with its main rampart and ditch. The hill reaches up to 168 m, providing incredible views of the coastline.
Despite its large area, there is no evidence of settlement within Bindon Hill. It was likely used as pastureland rather than a fortification. This area is particularly significant as it is part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site.
You can access Bindon Hill via footpaths from Lulworth Cove. Just remember that the eastern section is only open to the public when the Lulworth Ranges are open. This area is used for military training, so be sure to check the schedule.
There is also a large pay and display car park near Lulworth Cove Heritage Centre.
💡 Key Information:
- Roughly 272 acres enclosed area
- Pay and display parking available
- Access limited by MOD training activities
- Offers spectacular coastal views
- Dog Friendly
📍 Lulworth Range Walks, West Lulworth, BH20 5SH
Coney’s Castle
Coney’s Castle is an Iron Age hillfort located in Marshwood Vale, Bridport. The name comes from the Old English word for rabbit, hinting at its medieval use as a warren.
The fort sits on a narrow ridge 210 metres high. A small lane, part of the Wessex Ridgeway, runs through it, making for easy access.
The area’s natural beauty features steep slopes and ancient oak and beech trees. In spring, visitors can enjoy a stunning display of bluebells.
💡 Key Information:
- Access via ramparts (not wheelchair accessible)
- Car park next to the north rampart
- Ideal for springtime picnics and walks
- Nearby Lambert’s Castle can be reached easily
- Dog Friendly
📍 6NR, Long Ln, Bridport
Eggardon Hill
Eggardon Hill is a stunning Iron Age hillfort in Dorset. Standing at 252 metres (827 ft) above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of Marshwood Vale and the English Channel.
The National Trust manages the southern part, while the northern section is privately owned.
Visitors can enjoy walking, kite flying, or simply soaking in the expansive views. The hillfort is approximately 2,500 years old, originally featuring two Bronze Age burial mounds.
In the 18th century, it served as a smuggling landmark thanks to Isaac Gulliver’s tree plantation.
Accessibility is straightforward, with a free lay-by car park at the bottom of the hill. The site includes a fairly level circular walk on the plateau, although the ramparts can be steep and challenging.
Just remember to keep dogs under close control due to the livestock present.
💡 Key Information:
- Views of Marshwood Vale, English Channel
- Ideal for walking, kite flying, nature spotting
- No toilets available; free parking in the lay-by at hill base
- Level paths on the plateau; steep ramparts add challenge
- Dog Friendly
📍Bridport DT6 3TG
Flower’s Barrow
Flower’s Barrow, an Iron Age hillfort, stands above Worbarrow Bay on the stunning Dorset coast. Situated around 11 miles west of Swanage and about 6.25 miles south-west of Wareham, it offers spectacular views.
This ancient fort features impressive double and triple ramparts. Visitors can spot hut circles and other archaeological features within the fort’s interior.
The site also played a part in Roman history, serving as a strategic outpost after the invasion.
Fascinating finds like Iron Age pottery and sling-stones have been discovered here. Coastal erosion continues to reveal parts of the hillfort, hinting at even more hidden treasures.
💡 Key Information:
- Overlooks Worbarrow Bay and the abandoned village of Tyneham
- Part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and Dorset National Landscape
- Stay on marked footpaths for safety
- Access is limited due to military training zones and potential unexploded shells
- Dog Friendly
📍 East Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5PF
Hambledon Hill
Hambledon Hill stands at 190 metres, boasting views over the Blackmore Vale and the River Stour. It offers breathtaking views into Wiltshire and Somerset, showing its historical significance.
The hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Home to one of the UK’s best-preserved Iron Age hill forts, this chalk grassland also harbours rare flora and fauna, including 28 butterfly species like the Adonis blue and dark green fritillary.
From the hill’s summit, visitors can appreciate its strategic prehistoric importance, making Hambledon Hill one of Dorset’s finest heritage sites.
💡 Key Information:
- No car park available.
- Steep slopes from Child Okeford
- Protected site for archaeology and wildlife.
- Dog Friendly
📍 Child Okeford, Dorset, DT11 8HD
Hod Hill
Hod Hill, near Stourpaine, is Dorset’s largest hillfort, showcasing both Roman and Iron Age earthworks. These impressive structures, still visible today, offer a unique glimpse into history.
The hillfort boasts five distinct entrances: two Iron Age, two Roman, and one medieval. Inside, visitors can explore the remnants of ancient buildings and property boundaries.
Explorers will enjoy the diverse flora and fauna. The thin chalk soils on the steep ramparts support a variety of grasses, sedges, and flowers, attracting many butterflies.
💡 Key Information:
- One steep climb from Hanford Lane
- Gentle slope from Stourpaine village but longer
- Level site, but uneven ground
- Dog Friendly
📍 Blandford Forum DT11 8PR
Lambert’s Castle
Lambert’s Castle is a fascinating Iron Age hillfort in Dorset. This historic site dates back roughly 2,500 years and was constructed by a local tribe. The fort features prominent ditch and bank structures visible from the western entrance.
The hillfort sits atop a broad northerly spur at the summit of Lambert’s Castle Hill. The location offers breathtaking views over the Marshwood Vale. Lambert’s Castle includes steep slopes on three sides and linear ramparts on the southern approach.
A horse racing track and a relay station used during the Napoleonic wars were also part of the site.
💡 Key Information:
- The ground is grassy and very flat
- Relay station during Napoleonic wars
- Incredible views over Marshwood Vale
- Accessible with prior arrangement
- Dog Friendly
📍 Bridport DT6 5QL
Lewesdon Hill
Lewesdon Hill stands as the highest point in Dorset at 279 metres (915 feet). Located near Broadwindsor and Beaminster, it offers stunning glimpses of Devon, Somerset, and the sea through its wooded surroundings.
Visitors can explore remnants of an ancient Iron Age hill fort, including man-made ditches and ramparts. These structures might have served as refuges during times of threat.
The hill is covered with bluebells in spring and adorned with fascinating fungi in autumn.
💡 Key Information:
- Tallest hill in Dorset and the site of an Iron-age hill fort
- No public toilets nearby
- Spot Beech and oak trees, bluebells, woodpeckers
- Steep terrain levels out onto a plateau and is a grassy surface
- Dog Friendly
📍 Nr Broadwindsor, Beaminster, Dorset
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle, located near Dorchester, is one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hillforts. Its size is comparable to 50 football pitches!
The impressive chalk ramparts were built mainly in the 1st century BC to protect hundreds of people.
Archaeological digs have uncovered a Neolithic enclosure from about 3500 BC and a Roman temple from the 4th century AD. Among the most shocking finds is a skeleton with a spear embedded in its spine.
The site has uneven and slippery pathways, so sturdy footwear is recommended. It’s also exposed with no shelter, making it important to dress appropriately for the weather.
💡 Key Information:
- Uneven, slippery pathways requiring sturdy footwear
- Small car park at the fort
- Exposed site with no shelter
- Dogs Friendly
📍 Maiden Castle Rd, Dorchester DT2 9PP
Pilsdon Pen
Pilsdon Pen stands as one of Dorset’s most striking landmarks. Sitting at 277 metres (909 ft), it is the second-highest point in the county.
The hill features an Iron Age hillfort and two Bronze Age burial mounds. Tools and artefacts found here suggest human activity dating back over 10,000 years.
Owned by the National Trust, Pilsdon Pen offers fantastic views of Marshwood Vale, Golden Cap, and the sea. On clear days, you can also see landmarks such as the Hardy Monument and the Quantocks.
💡 Key Information:
- Steep climb to the top from the lay-by
- Some steps and steep inclines on and around the fort
- No parking on site
- Dog Friendly
📍 Nr Broadwindsor, Beaminster, Dorset
Poundbury Hillfort
Poundbury Hillfort offers a rich glimpse into ancient history. It was chosen for its strategic views over the River Frome and the Frome Valley.
The site showcases remains from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman periods.
Visitors can explore the eastern entrance of the fort, which overlooks Dorchester. Not far from the hillfort, there’s a significant Romano-British cemetery and an ancient aqueduct that once supplied water to the Roman town of Durnovaria (modern-day Dorchester).
The site is perfect for family outings or dog walks, with well-maintained paths and stunning views across the water meadows.
💡 Key Information:
- Well-maintained paths suitable for walking
- Rich historical significance and stunning vistas
- Dog Friendly
📍 Dorchester DT1 2PN
Rawlsbury Camp
Rawlsbury Camp is a fascinating Iron Age hillfort. This pear-shaped site spans approximately five acres. It features dual embankments and a central ditch, highlighting its defensive design.
The hillfort’s entrance lies on the eastern side. Earthworks around this area are intriguing, partly intersected by a medieval trackway.
Visitors can enjoy spectacular views from Rawlsbury Camp. This vantage point offers sights spanning “Hardy Country” and reaches five counties on clear days.
💡 Key Information:
- Scenic bridleway & minor road access
- Limited roadside parking; challenging routes
- Approximately five acres
- Dog Friendly
📍 Stoke Wake, Blandford Forum DT11 0HF
Spetisbury Rings
Spetisbury Rings, also known as Crawford Castle, is an Iron Age hillfort. It has a single rampart and a largely-buried outer ditch, making it distinguishable from others.
Archaeological findings suggest the site was destroyed by Roman advances in the 1st century AD.
In the 1850s, construction of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway uncovered two mass graves at the site. Over 80 skeletons were found, many with signs of violent death.
💡 Key Information:
- Public Footpath Option: Northwest from B3075, steep ascent.
- Easier Approach: Minor road off A350, parking available.
- Notable Finds: Skeletons, Seaxes, Spearheads
- Watch for livestock in fields
- Dog Friendly
📍 Spetisbury, Blandford Forum DT11 9DW
