Hod Hill,
Hambledon Hill and Rawlsbury Camp are all hill forts on the escarpment
around the edges of the Blackmore Vale in Dorset. The Blackmoor Vale is largely
created by soft clays from the Eocine period whereas the large rounded hills are from an older Cretaceous period and are made on top of Greensand deposits. Greensand is a hard blue green rock whereas the clays are the low lying soils that retain a soft slightly undulating look.
The Geology, which gives rise to subtle
variations in height and appearance, has had an impact on
land use. The majority of human settlements are built on the drier
strips of Greensand and limestone, whereas the more poorly-draining clays are more sparsely populated.
Hod Hill,
Hambledon Hill and Rawlsbury Camp are all placed high on the landscape and with the views they give over the Vale make them seem like outposts on the edge of a wilderness.
A description of these forts was noted by the
biographer "Suetonius" who travelled with the future Roman Emperor Vespasian during an invasion of England. He
described the forts as Oppida. Oppida translates to a fortified market
town, whose main purpose was explained as a gathering place rather than a
habitation centre. Small farms and holdings would have been outside its walls more as they
are today dotted around and on the lower slopes of these hills. Perhaps an obvious clue to the lack of permanence is that water doesn't flow uphill.
Stourpaine from the hill fort entrance
The
climb up hod hill is steep and I usually find myself flat on my back
and staring at the sky when I reach the top. Looking back down the hill south from the entrance is Stourpaine. A pretty village that looks like a middle class
version of Hobbiton.
Walking the large ridge to the east you see towards the edge of the Cranborne chase
where unusual hogs back shaped hills delete themselves off into the
distance.
View North East from Hod Hill
At the North East corner of the fort Hambledon hill becomes visible. Hambledon
hill is neolithic in construction and is an even older settlement than
Hod. It's symbolic age increased by a small Yew forest growing up
its steep slopes. There is a noticeable interplay between the two
forts where a single road cuts between the two hills.
Stereograpic projection 360 degrees looking north from Hod Hill
By the
end of the north ridge heading west the landscape opens out to the
truly vast looking Blackmore Vale and beyond. From here you can
really get a sense of past and present English settlements with clearly
delineated villages spaced across the flatness of the clays.
Stereograpic projection 360 degrees from the highest point of Hod Hil
Here you can imagine what life would be like up in the clouds, watching the changing weather patterns. Cloud shadows morph
themselves across the slopes of the surrounding hills and serve to add to a sense of time passing without any particular regard for
chronology.
Stereograpic projection 360 degrees from Hod Hill towards West
Going south on the western side of the slope
is a nice gentle slope and as the slope descends the pace of the walk
increases. Walking down the hill to the south and lowest slope gives
you the best vantage of Stourpaine. Whereas the north Hambledon hill
side seems more wild and ancient the contrasting south side
has more a feeling of calm with the villages of Stourpaine and
Durweston closely visible.
Stereograpic projection 360 degrees from Rawlsbury Camp
Anywhere where
people have built on for such a long time is probably a good place for
humans to stay. Thumbs up to English Heritage who along with others care for and maintain for this area.
As the song goes " This Land is Your Land, it was made for you and me". Enjoy it while you can paradise is often just a blink away.
Digital Sketch of Hod Hill Entrance
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