Stubby Copse Fort - an Iron Age hillfort deep in the woods

(1) The hillfort

It's certainly, at least in part, on a hill-top, which is always a good start when attempting to classify such monuments. And it also has a quite well-spread, somewhat wasted, surrounding earthen bank that in places reaches a height of 1.5 metres - the remains of the old rampart - and a now partially in-filled exterior ditch, both features characteristic of univallate Iron Age hillforts.

The view looking south, out of Stubby Copse Fort, along the woodland track close to the fort's entrance passage. (The arrow indicates the height of the fort's bank at this point).

Encompassing an internal area of around 1.8 hectares (4½ acres), the hillfort lies deep within the woodland of Stubby Copse Inclosure, but that wasn't always the case as this inclosure was created as recently as 1829. An earlier medieval copse was, however, known to be present in 1565, whilst 'Stubby Coppice' is shown on Richardson, King and Driver's late 18th century map of the New Forest, so there is at least a reasonably long history of woodland on the site.

In fact, based on an absence of recorded barrows - burial mounds, often dating back to the Bronze Age - in the vicinity, it's been suggested that woodland might have been present when the fort was first constructed.

Forestry-related activity has not, however, been kind to Stubby Copse Fort, as tree planting, subsequent woodland management and the creation of numerous drainage ditches have caused a considerable amount of damage. Yet remarkably, it is still possible to follow the ditch and earthen bank around virtually all the original circuit, although challenges await those who try to do this when spring and summer vegetation conceals the secrets below.

Trees now grow on the bank of Stubby Copse Fort, posing a risk of damage to the archaeology

The outline of the fort is essentially oval in shape with at the south-west corner, an entrance passage that may not have been originally present. It's very plausibly been suggested that there were probably access gates at both ends of the passage, and that the bend in the passage was included in the design to prevent intruders at the outer gates from seeing the inner gates.

So, this humble wasted bank and ditch hidden away in the woods, overrun by trees and other vegetation, cut into by drainage channels and woodland rides, potentially has a truly remarkable tale to tell. If only it could speak!