Information for record number MWA871:
Site of Poss Roman Fort 300m S of Orchard Hill Farm

Summary The site of a possible Roman fort, comprising a triple ditched enclosure which is visible on aerial photographs. The site is located 1km north east of Clifford Chambers. Alternative interpretations of the site suggest that this was a Roman settlement.
What Is It?  
Type: Fort, Rectangular Enclosure, Enclosure, Ditched Enclosure
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 52
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 A corner and two sides of a triple ditched enclosure. The site is an enigma, for the inner ditch does not exhibit as large a radius as one would expect from a Roman military installation. On the other hand, the site is too extensive for a settlement or farm community; moreover the second ditch shows a rounded ditch of military characteristics. A fort in this area would not be out of place in relation to the Fosse Way and the road S from Stratford-on-Avon.
3 Field shallow-ploughed September 1978, walked but no surface finds. Pipeline across site some years ago not observed at the time.
4 It is possible that this represents a settlement site rather than a fort, or that the fort was succeeded by a settlement (PRN 6251).
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP2661 and SP2662
Author/originator: Various
Date: Various
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP2661AB-AC SP2662A-
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Field Survey in the Stratford Area
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1977(?)
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMANS no 13 (1970)
Author/originator: Rahtz, P (ed)
Date: 1970
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 13
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: WMA vol 18
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1975
Page Number: 19
Volume/Sheet: 18
   
Images:  
A possible Roman fort, to the rear of the picture, at Stratford upon Avon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1994
Click here for larger image  
 
A triple ditched enclosure, possibly a Roman fort, near Stratford upon Avon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1994
Click here for larger image  
 
A possible Roman fort north east of Clifford Chambers
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1996
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WMANS West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet, a publication that was produced each year, this later became West Midlands Archaeology. The West Midlands Arcaheological News Sheet contains reports about archaeological work that was carried out in the West Midlands region in the previous year. It includes information about sites dating from the Prehistoric to the Post Medieval periods. It was produced the Department of Extramural Studies at Birmingham University. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Field Survey The term ‘field survey’ is used to describe all work that does not disturb archaeological deposits below the ground through an excavation. Field survey techniques involve recording measurements that help archaeologists draw plans or diagrams of archaeological features. There are a variety of different field survey techniques, including geophysical survey, building recording survey, field walking survey, landscape survey and earthwork survey. back
technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
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monument MILITARY INSTALLATION * A site and associated buildings used by the military for various purposes. Use only where exact function is unknown otherwise use more specific term. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument DITCHED ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by one or several boundary ditches. Double index with a term to indicate the shape of the enclosure where known. back
monument FORT * A permanently occupied position or building designed primarily for defence. back
monument RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE * A rectangular shaped area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument PIPELINE * A conduit or pipes, used primarily for conveying petroleum from oil wells to a refinery, or for supplying water to a town or district, etc. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record