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Devil's Ditch is an ancient defensive earthwork located in Lye Wood near West Stoke in Sussex, England. The monument consists of a substantial linear ditch and bank system extending approximately 900 yards, characteristic of Iron Age or Romano-British period fortifications, though precise dating remains uncertain without detailed archaeological investigation. The earthwork likely served as a territorial boundary, stock enclosure, or defensive structure for the communities inhabiting this part of Sussex during prehistory or the Romano-British period. The survival of this section within Lye Wood demonstrates the landscape engineering capabilities of ancient populations and reflects the strategic importance of movement corridors and territorial control in the South Downs region.
Devil's Ditch, section extending 900yds (820m), Lye Wood, West Stoke is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005882. View the official record →
Devil's Ditch is an ancient defensive earthwork located in Lye Wood near West Stoke in Sussex, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005882.
Devil's Ditch, section extending 900yds (820m), Lye Wood, West Stoke 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 1005882.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Chichester Dyke, sections in Little Cotfield Plantation (1.8 km), A Romano-Celtic temple, Iron Age shrine and associated remains 250m north west of Ratham Mill (2.5 km), Chichester Dyke, Broyle earthwork, section extending 430yds (393m) through East Broyle Copse, to railway, and earthwork extending 400yds (365m) from Brandy Hole Lane, New Fishbourne (3.1 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Devil's Ditch, section extending 900yds (820m), Lye Wood, West Stoke