OS Grid Reference SY669884

Maiden Castle is the largest Iron Age Hill Fort of Britain and probably Europe. It covers a vast area of about 47 acres. Maiden Castle can be found just outside South Dorchester heading towards Weymouth.

Even after 2000 years some of the ramparts are still over 20ft, a range of objects have been found on the site suggesting that its construction begain around 3000BC And the late Stone Age early Bronze age people built a ditch and bank over 500 metres in length. To the right hand end of the Castle Bronze Age burial mounds can be viewed.

The present hill fort that can be seen today was started during the Iron Age and the fort extended and the ramparts and ditches enlarged. Wooden fences and gates were added though entrances were not aligned making it difficult for forces to gain entry in battle.

Vespasian took the Romans to Maiden Castle and after a bloody battle in 43AD against the Durotriges Tribe took possession of the hill fort. A Roman temple was built and the foundations can still be seen today.

Maiden Castle is maintained by English Heritage and open all year round carparking is available along with information boards. It is located at the southern side of Dorchester along the A35 between Dorchester and Weymouth.

If you dont have your own transport, you may want to book a dorset taxi, find a dorset bus service or travel by train you can view the nearest train stations on this site. For other useful information view the County Information Section of the site.