Scheduled MonumentsWalesOffa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow

Flintshire, Wales
Cadw SAM FL006
Period
Early Medieval
Site type
Linear Earthwork
Broad class
Monument
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Offa's Dyke Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse is an Early Medieval linear earthwork forming part of the longer defensive frontier constructed under King Offa of Mercia during the late eighth century. The monument comprises a substantial bank and ditch system that survives in two sections flanking a circular feature on the racecourse at Holywell in Flintshire. The dyke represents one of the most significant engineering projects of the Anglo-Saxon period, constructed to mark and defend the border between Mercia and the Welsh kingdoms of the period. The associated circular feature visible within this section may relate to Bronze Age activity on the site, though the primary archaeological interest lies in the preserved Early Medieval linear earthwork and its role in the broader Offa's Dyke frontier system.

Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference FL006. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow?

Offa's Dyke Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse is an Early Medieval linear earthwork forming part of the longer defensive frontier constructed under King Offa of Mercia during the late eighth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference FL006.

What period does Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow date from?

Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow?

Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is FL006.

What other scheduled monuments are near Offa's Dyke:Section N & S of the Circle on Holywell Racecourse, and Circle and Round Barrow?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bron Fadog Enclosure (3.3 km), Round Barrow 495m SE of Parc y Prysau (4.5 km), Round Barrow 180m E of Mwccwd (5.7 km).

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