Prittlewell Camp

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Pritwell; Fossets Mounds, Smithers Farm; The Look Out

In the civil parish of Southend on Sea.
In the historic county of Essex (Modern Authority of Southend on Sea, 1974 county of Essex).

Raised mound of possible castle. A slight univallate enclosure which is likely to be of later prehistoric origin but has produced no secure dating evidence. Excavation in 1929 also examined a pronounced mound (known locally as 'The Look-out') situated on the south eastern part of the perimeter. This mound, measures 20m in diameter and 1.5m high and produced a mixed array of finds including large quantities of tile and medieval pottery, but provided no certain dating evidence. It has been interpreted as the base of a medieval post mill. Isolated from settlement.

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

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TQ88998783

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; 418915

Books

King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p148
RCHME, 1923, An inventory of the historical monuments in Essex. Vol4 [south-east] p114

Journal Articles

Mepham, 1930, Transactions of the Southend-on-Sea and District Antiquarian and Historical Society Vol2 p21-47
1895, Essex Archaeological Society transactions Vol5 p71

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This record last updated on Friday, April 6, 2007

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