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The Bokerley Line is a substantial linear earthwork located north east of West Woodyates Manor in Dorset, comprising a bank and ditch that runs for several miles across the chalk downland. Dating to the late Roman or post-Roman period, the earthwork is believed to have functioned as a territorial boundary or defensive barrier, possibly constructed in the third or fourth century AD or during the immediate post-Roman transition. The monument's construction and maintenance suggest significant communal effort, and its strategic positioning reflects the importance of controlling movement across the Dorset landscape during a period of considerable social and political change. The Bokerley Line represents one of the most substantial linear defensive features of its era in southern Britain and remains an important archaeological testament to late antique land management and territorial organisation.
A linear earthwork north east of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line' is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1012138. View the official record →
The Bokerley Line is a substantial linear earthwork located north east of West Woodyates Manor in Dorset, comprising a bank and ditch that runs for several miles across the chalk downland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1012138.
A linear earthwork north east of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line' is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1012138.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Barrows in and near St Giles Park (8.1 km), Medieval settlement at Brockington, immediately north east of Brockington Farm (9.1 km), Long barrows SE of Thickthorn Farm (9.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of A linear earthwork north east of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line''s history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
A linear earthwork north east of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line' stands on White Chalk Subgroup, bedrock that formed in the Maastrichtian. The rock here is chalk.