New Inn, Stoborough, Arne

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameNew Inn, Stoborough, Arne
Alternative Names
Historic CountryDorset
Modern AuthorityDorset
1974 AuthorityDorset
Civil ParishArne

Mound, about 150ft diameter and 18ft high with flat top, was recorded on low-lying ground behind the New Inn, Stoborough. It is probably a natural hillock scarped and altered on the north and east in recent times. Early medieval pottery has been found in the area. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Called possible motte by King and Wilton. Superficially the location, at the southern end of a causeway over the marshy Frome river valley is of strategic valley as an outpost to the Wareham town and castle fortifications. However this makes an assumption about garrisons for such outposts being available and full time medieval soldiers were rare and expensive. This natural hill may have been adapted and used as a military outpost for a short period but without documentary or archaeological evidence such speculation has to done with considerable care, with a great awareness of the tendency of overemphasis on military explanations.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSY923863
Latitude50.6771202087402
Longitude-2.11003994941711
Eastings392320
Northings86390
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Wilton, P., 1995, Castles of Dorset (Wimborne)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 129 (possible)
  • RCHME, 1970, An inventory of historical monuments in the County of Dorset Vol. 2: south-east (HMSO) (in three parts) p. 481 online transcription
  • Reed, T.D., 1947, The Rise of Wessex, a Further Essay in Dark Age History (Methuen) p. 332