Hod Hill (sometimes Hodd Hill) is one of the largest hill forts in Dorset, England, situated in the Blackmore Vale five miles north east of Blandford Forum. The 22 hectare fort sits on a Chalk hill that is detached from the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase and stands out in the low, flat vale, beside Hambledon Hill, a slightly larger hill, which also has a hill fort, just to the north.

The hill was first fortefied by the Celtic Durotriges in the iron age with three massive earthwork ramparts, the settlers using the hill for defence and the vale for agriculture. The hill was captured in AD 43 by the Roman second legion, led by Vespasian, who had already captured Maiden Castle and other hill forts to the south. 11 iron balista bolts have been found on the hill, but there are no other signs of a struggle, suggesting the Durotriges surrendered to the superior Roman army early. The Romans further fortefied and built a settlement in one corner of the original fort.

Today the hill is an important calcareous grassland habitat.

External links

• Images of Dorset: Hod Hill

References

• Smith, Roly, 2000. "Castles from the air" in The Guardian. [1]
• Taylor, Christopher, 1970. The Making Of The Dorset Landscape. London: Hodder & Stoughton.