Scheduled MonumentsEnglandGrim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap

Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap

England
List entry 1006982
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Grim's Ditch is a linear earthwork monument consisting of two sections located in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap in Berkshire. The monument comprises a substantial bank and ditch aligned roughly north to south, typical of defensive or territorial boundaries constructed during the Iron Age period. The two sections represent surviving portions of what was likely once a more extensive linear feature, with the earthwork showing characteristic degradation consistent with its considerable antiquity. This type of linear ditch system reflects the Iron Age practice of demarcating land divisions, defensive positions or tribal boundaries across the landscape of southern Britain.

Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1006982. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap?

Grim's Ditch is a linear earthwork monument consisting of two sections located in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap in Berkshire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1006982.

Who is responsible for protecting Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap?

Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap 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 1006982.

What other scheduled monuments are near Grim's Ditch: two sections in Portobello Wood, Holies Shaw and High Holies Wood Gap?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dovecote 60m north of Place Manor Cottage (1.4 km), Grim's Ditch: section 1 mile long E from Southfield Shaw to Streatley parish boundary (3 km), Dovecote at Manor Farm, South Stoke (4.1 km).

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