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Offa's Dyke is a linear earthwork that formed a territorial boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and Welsh territories during the late eighth century, most likely constructed under King Offa's reign between approximately 757 and 796. The section preserved in Shorncliff Wood, located south-west of Sheepcot in Gloucestershire, survives as a substantial bank and ditch formation that demonstrates the scale and engineering effort invested in this ambitious frontier work. The earthwork at this location exhibits the characteristic V-shaped ditch and accompanying bank typical of Offa's Dyke, which at points reaches considerable height and prominence across the landscape. The survival of this section, including the topographical feature known as the Devil's Pulpit, provides important archaeological evidence for understanding the construction, alignment, and maintenance of what remains one of the most significant monuments of Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Offa's Dyke: section in Shorncliff Wood including the Devil's Pulpit, 790m south west of Sheepcot is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1020604. View the official record →
Offa's Dyke is a linear earthwork that formed a territorial boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and Welsh territories during the late eighth century, most likely constructed under King Offa's reign between approximately 757 and 796. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1020604.
Offa's Dyke: section in Shorncliff Wood including the Devil's Pulpit, 790m south west of Sheepcot 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 1020604.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Offa's Dyke: section 240m north east of Buttington Farm (6.4 km), Bulwarks Prehistoric Enclosure (6.6 km), St Peter's Cave (6.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Offa's Dyke: section in Shorncliff Wood including the Devil's Pulpit, 790m south west of Sheepcot'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.
Offa's Dyke: section in Shorncliff Wood including the Devil's Pulpit, 790m south west of Sheepcot stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.