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Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date, probably constructed during the seventh or eighth century, forming part of a substantial defensive frontier that extended across the borderlands between what is now Wales and England. This section at the Rectory in Hope, Flintshire, represents a preserved portion of the dyke's characteristic form: an earthen bank accompanied by a ditch, which would have served to demarcate territory and regulate movement between communities. The monument's precise dating and attribution remain subjects of scholarly discussion, though it is generally considered earlier than the more famous Offa's Dyke and may reflect political divisions during the early Anglo-Saxon period. The survival of this section has made it an important archaeological record of Early Medieval frontier construction and landscape management in the Welsh Marches.
Wat's Dyke: Section N of the Rectory, Hope is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference FL171. View the official record →
Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date, probably constructed during the seventh or eighth century, forming part of a substantial defensive frontier that extended across the borderlands between what is now Wales and England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference FL171.
Wat's Dyke: Section N of the Rectory, Hope 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.
Wat's Dyke: Section N of the Rectory, Hope 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 FL171.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Offa's Dyke: Section in Plas Power Park (8.3 km), Wrexham Churchyard Ornamental Wrought Iron Gates and Screen (8.7 km), Wat's Dyke : Section South of Ruthin Road (8.7 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Wat's Dyke: Section N of the Rectory, Hope