Dundon Beacon, Compton Dundon

In the civil parish of Compton Dundon.
In the historic county of Somerset (Modern Authority of Somerset, 1974 county of Somerset).

Earthwork remains of an Iron Age univallate hillfort on the Somerset Levels circa 5 hectares in internal area. The rampart varies in height between 0.5 and 2.5m and the defensive circuit is incomplete in some places. On the south east corner of the fort is a mound known as Dundon Beacon. The mound is ditched through the rampart on its N suggesting that it is of later date. It is possible that this is a Norman motte. The stretch of the hillfort immediately N of this is heightened to a 2m high bank apparently raised from a 6m wide terrace below, and this may represent a Norman reworking of defences with the intention of creating a motte and bailey castle.

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Possible.
Earthworks remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST48543199

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 193995

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 53759

• Web site links
  • http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=53759
• Books
  • Bothamley, 1911, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Somerset Vol2 p490-1