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Ancient Sites

Cerne Giant
Looming high on the hill over the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas is the Cerne Giant, an 180ft high male figure believed to be an ancient symbol of spirituality. The giant is also thought to be representative of the Roman god Hercules, who was often depicted naked with a club in his right hand.

Eggardon Camp
Situated near the beautiful village of Powerstock is the impressive hill fort of Eggardon Camp. Approximately five hundred depressions have been found in its interior, believed to be the indentations left by huts and storage pits.

Jurassic Coast
West Dorset contains 25 miles of World Heritage coastline, designated as such because of its Jurassic heritage and abundance of fossils. It is particularly famous for the historic discovery of the world's first ichthyosaur.

Lambert's Castle
Seven miles from Lyme Regis can be found Lambert's Castle, a remarkable Iron-Age hill fort. The vast area covered by the fort led to its use as a racecourse during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Maiden Castle
This impressive Iron Age hill fort on the outskirts of Dorchester became occupied circa 4,000BC, and remained as such until the Roman Conquest of around 60AD. The defences visible today date from around 800BC, when the fort was in the possession of the Durotriges, a powerful Iron-Age Celtic tribe.

Maumbury Rings
This listed ancient monument was originally constructed around 2500BC as a large circular bank made of chalk. The Romans converted this Late Neolithic henge into an amphitheatre in the first century AD. The site was re-modelled in 1642-3 as an artillery fort guarding the southern approach to Dorchester.

Poundbury Camp This Iron Age camp on the outskirts of Dorchester is also the site of a Roman cemetery, containing over 1,000 graves.

Pilsdon Pen
The highest hill fort in Dorset, Pilsdon Pen was excavated in the 1960s, and found to contain late Iron Age huts. Views from its summit encompass many miles of the beautiful West Dorset countryside.

For further information about West Dorset's ancient heritage, including suggested itineraries, please contact our Tourist Information Centres.

There are lots of B&B's, campsites, hotels and inns near West Dorset's landmark sites. Take a look at the accommodation on offer.