Eggardon Hill
Iron Age hill fort and downland with views across the Marshwood Vale to the coast
Dorset's hillforts, a visitor's guide
Discover more about Dorset's ancient hillforts with this new guide.
Eggardon Hill
Overview
Iron Age hill fort and downland with views across the Marshwood Vale to the coast
A great place for walking, flying kites or simply taking in the extensive views of the surrounding countryside and the English Channel in the distance.
The hill fort itself is about 2,500 years old, but originally there were two Bronze Age burial mounds on the summit. It's also an old smuggling spot - in the 18th century, Isaac Gulliver took advantage of the hill's commanding position and created a small plantation of trees to act as a landmark for his ships and help guide them to the coast.
Note: We own the sourthern half of the fort; the northern half is privately owned.
Eggardon Hill
How to get here
- Address
- Nr Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset
- By cycle
- National Cycle route 2 runs along King's Lane over the ramparts.
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- The Jubilee Trail runs about 2 miles (3km) east of Eggardon Hill. The closest village to Eggardon is Powerstock. If parking in the village, follow lanes to Nettlecombe, then from Nettlecombe follow a track which begins through Marsh Farm. You will rejoin the lane from Powerstock which leads dramatically onto the ramparts of Eggardon Hill.
- By train
- Maiden Newton train station is approximately 5 miles away. From the station follow signs to Tollerford, cross the river and follow the lane to Wynford Eagle. Turn right and climb steeply uphill along another lane which will bring you out opposite the hill fort.
- By road
- From Dorchester take A35 towards Bridport, following the Roman road. After 3 miles (5km) the main road leaves the old route and drops down into Winterbourne Abbas. The Roman road still exists as a minor road, so take this road and after another 3 miles (5km), you'll see the hill fort at a crossroads. Turn left here towards Askerswell and continue for 220yd (200m). Park in lay-by on left
- Parking: Park in lay-by (SY546942), cross the road and take the footpath towards the sourthern ramparts
- SatNav:
- By bus
- From Dorchester, the First 31 and South West Coaches 212 bus routes both go through Maiden Newton. From there, take the South West Coaches 73 bus and alight at Nettlecombe 'The Square'. It's a 35 minute walk to Eggardon Hill. (See 'On Foot' section for directions).
Eggardon Hill
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Eggardon Hill
Opening times
Monday 9 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 10 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 11 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 12 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 13 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 14 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Sunday 15 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Eggardon Hill
Contact us
- Address
- Nr Askerwell, Bridport, Dorset