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Fleam Dyke is a substantial linear earthwork located in Cambridgeshire, running for approximately seven miles across the chalk uplands between Reach and Wood Ditton. Constructed during the Early Anglo-Saxon period, likely in the fifth or sixth century, it represents a significant territorial boundary or defensive work of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The dyke consists of a substantial bank with an accompanying ditch, demonstrating considerable investment in labour and engineering. Its precise original function remains debated amongst scholars, though it may have served to demarcate territorial control, restrict movement along established routes, or provide defence during a period of Anglo-Saxon expansion and consolidation in East Anglia.
Fleam Dyke is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1006931. View the official record →
Fleam Dyke is a substantial linear earthwork located in Cambridgeshire, running for approximately seven miles across the chalk uplands between Reach and Wood Ditton. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1006931.
Fleam Dyke 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 1006931.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Four bowl barrows 920m and 950m south east of Heath Farm, part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery in Charterhouse Plantation (1.8 km), Bowl barrow 1080m north east of Worsted Lodge Farm, part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery in Charterhouse Plantation (2.1 km), Bowl barrow on Copley Hill (3.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Fleam Dyke'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.
Fleam Dyke stands on White Chalk Subgroup, bedrock that formed in the Maastrichtian. The rock here is chalk.