| Dolebury Warren | |
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  Shown within Somerset
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| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Avon |
| Grid Reference | ST455590 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 90.6 hectares (0.906 km2; 0.350 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1952 |
| Natural England Website | |
Dolebury Warren (grid reference ST455590) is a 90.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near the village of Churchill in North Somerset, notified in 1952, and managed by the Woodland Trust.
There is evidence of occupation of the site during the Iron Age.[1] The defences and Celtic field systems at Dolebury date back to the 300s-200s BCE, though they might mask earlier developments.[2]. The rectangular fort commands views over the surrounding countryside. It was protected by a limestone rampart with a ditch and counterscarp on all sides but the South. There is an inturned entrance on the West and an annexe of 0.4ha protecting the easier Eastern approach. Finds include Iron-age and Romano-British materials.[3]
In addition to the remains of double ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort still being visible there is also evidence of a medieval rabbit warren.[4]
Dolebury Warren is a very good example of a medieval/post medieval rabbit warren which was used to breed rabbits, providing valuable meat and fur. The warren is completely enclosed by the substantial ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort, Dolebury Camp. Many warrens were surrounded by banks or walls to prevent the rabbits from escaping; escaped rabbits caused damage to nearby farmland and meant a loss in profit. [5]. Reusing the hillforts defences as a boundary provided an ideal location in which to breed rabbits.
Scarce plants found at the warren include Knotted Pearlwort[6] and Slender Bedstraw.[7]
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   | Dolebury Hill Fort photo from English Heritage - Dolebury Hill Fort (NMR 24329/09) : English Heritage : English Heritage |
| | Tower Head and Dolebury Warren - Sacred sites around Glastonbury | Tower Head and Dolebury Warren |
| | Rowberrow Camp at Digital Digging - Digital Digging - Iron Age Hillforts Somerset - Rowberrow Camp, Rowberrow |
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