Iron Age hillfort of Ambresbury Banks, Epping Forest (EHER 24)

An Iron Age hillfort known as Ambresbury Banks is visible as earthworks. The defences are of single bank of dump construction originally separated from the ditch by a berm. A later intermittent counterscarp bank is also visible along most of the external southern and eastern sides of the hillfort.

Iron age hill fort. Morant calls the fort "Ambres Bank" in 1768, and is cited as the possible origin of the name, but quotes a source of 1670 which names "Amesbury Woods". <17><18> In 1806, Gough gives the name as Ambresbury Banks. <19> 'Ambresbury', the commonly accepted spelling, was confirmed by the superintendent of Epping Forest. <2> Subrectangular enclosure of 11.7 acres (approximately 5 hectares). The defences are of single bank of dump construction originally separated from the ditch by a berm. The bank still stands 1.3m-2.2m high. There is also a 0.4m to 1.0m high intermittent counterscarp bank on the outer lip of the wide, silted ditch. The main bank now has 6 major breaks in its circumference, although only one appears to be original. This is approached from the north west by a trapezoidal-shaped causeway. The ends of the bank at this point were revetted with coursed puddingstone blocks. The width of the passageway (5.7 m) so formed was sufficient to suggest double gates, but no central post holes were found. <6> At the south, the head of a small valley is enclosed, from which a stream flows south east through a gap in the bank. Augering across the present stream bed suggested the bank was originally complete at this point, so assuming the stream existed at that time an overflow through the bank would have been necessary. The present stream bed is a breach, not a deliberately left gap. A scatter of indeterminate flint and pottery and a barbed and tanged arrowhead represent the only early occupation. No trace of internal occupation has been found. The fort was built in the second half of the first millenium BC and a re-cutting of the ditch may represent a re-occupation in the pre-Conquest years of the first century AD. <2> Pottery from the ditch suggests a construction date of the second half of the 1st millenium BC, and reuse in the Belgic period. No later occupation material was found. Thus, it can be divided into 3 periods: PERIOD I: Before the enclosure - lithic implements and pottery dated from the Mesolithic (EHER 26) to the Bronze Age (EHER 25). PERIOD II (around 400 BC): The construction of the enclosure (rampart/bank, ditch, and counterscarp) was a single event. The northwestern entrance, with double gates and a gravelled causeway, was the sole original entrance; utilising the natural northeast-southwest axis of the ridge it was built on. PERIOD III: Reuse in the pre-Conquest years of the 1st century AD by the 'Belgae' (Catuvellauni and Trinovantes -see also EHER 3744). No sign of Roman occupation, although a figurine of Hercules was found in the vicinity (EHER 3760). Post-Roman creation of the southwestern entrance, and the southwest-northeast trackway. In medieval and later times several tracks passed through the earthwork (see EHER 26). <6> For previous excavation accounts, see: <3> <4> <5><6>. Quick reference: 1881, Pitt-Rivers: sectioned northwest bank and ditch. <3> 1933, Warren of Essex Field Club. <4> 1956-58, Alexander et al., University of London. <5><6> Wild Service trees (sorbus torminalis) are to be found in the immediate vicinity of Ambresbury itself. Such trees are taken as an indication of relict woodland. Thus it would seem to indicate Loughton Camp was constructed in a still wooden landscape, whilst the country around Ambresbury was probably cleared. <10> Other refs: <7> <8> <9> <11> <12> 2024-2025. Epping Forest Aerial and Investigation Project. The hillfort was mapped using 2023 0.25m lidar data (commissioned by City of London Corporation) as part of the 2024-2025 Epping Forest Aerial and Investigation Project carried out by Historic England. <15> <16>