Leigh Drummers; The Castle

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are earthwork remains

NameLeigh Drummers; The Castle
Alternative NamesDrummers Castle
Historic CountryDorset
Modern AuthorityDorset
1974 AuthorityDorset
Civil ParishLeigh

Called oval ditched enclosure of possible castle by Wilton.

A medieval woodland bank or late prehistoric non-defensive enclosure. The monument takes the form of an oval enclosure measuring 310m N-S with a weak inner bank of an average 8 metre width. To the south-west and north-east are two entrances, both causewayed and measuring circa 4m in width. (PastScape)

The Castle, earthwork on the E. edge of the parish about 1 m. S.E. of the church, consists of a slight bank with occasional traces of an outer ditch and enclosing a roughly oval area of about 9 acres. The bank has been destroyed on much of the S.E. and S.W. sides but is in part represented by a scarp. There are two gaps towards the N.E. and S.W. which may represent entrances. The work occupies a comparatively level and low-lying site. (RCHME)

Slight bank with traces of outer ditch, enclosing around 9 acres. (Dorset HER as Iron Age Hillfort)

Gatehouse Comments

Located on parish boundary, which follows line of bank, suggesting the feature is pre-medieval. It is clearly not a medieval castle on the bases of site description, plan and location.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceST629077
Latitude50.867618560791
Longitude-2.52713990211487
Eastings362900
Northings107700
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Wilton, P., 1995, Castles of Dorset (Wimborne)
  • RCHME, 1952, An inventory of historical monuments in the County of Dorset Vol. 1: west (HMSO) p. 132 no. 20 online transcription