Medieval/post-medieval earthworks and finds at Ambresbury Banks (EHER 26)

In medieval and later times several tracks passed through the earthworks at Ambresbury Banks (see also EHER 81422, continuing inside the hillfort toward the north-west exit), and it was used for quarrying sand and gravel (see EHER 81532). It may also have been used as an enclosure for cattle on their way to the London markets.

In medieval and later times, several tracks passed through the earthwork. For example, a post-medieval trackway on the line of the parish boundary crossed over the collapsed north-west entrance and passed out of the southeast break. The division of Ambresbury Banks between two parishes is curious, and perhaps suggests that a trackway from the north-west, leading to the gateway, survived when the boundary was first drawn by the Saxons, who apportioned the forest between themselves, perhaps in the 5th or 6th century AD. <1> These trackways continue to the northwest, southeast and southwest (see also EHER 81422) to this day. <3> However, the western entrance and corresponding path signified on <3> is no longer visible. The northern entrance, also most likely of post-Iron Age origin, is similarly signified on <3> but abandoned today. It was also used for quarrying sand and gravel (see EHER 81532), and possibly as an enclosure for cattle on their way to the London market. <1> Additional reference: <2>