Two sections of a linear earthwork north of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line'

Scheduled area

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

History & significance

The Bokerley Line is a linear earthwork consisting of a substantial bank and ditch that runs across the chalk downland north of West Woodyates Manor in Dorset. Dating to the late Roman period, likely the third or fourth century AD, the monument represents a defensive boundary constructed to control movement across the landscape, possibly marking a territorial frontier or administrative division during the later stages of Roman Britain. The earthwork survives as a prominent archaeological feature running for several miles across the Cranborne Chase area, with variations in its physical form reflecting different construction phases and terrain. Excavation and survey have established that the Bokerley Line formed part of a broader system of linear boundaries characteristic of the late Roman period in southern Britain.

Two sections of a linear earthwork north of West Woodyates Manor: part of the `Bokerley Line' is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1012136. View the official record →

Questions & answers

Other scheduled monuments within 10 km

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.