A prehistoric site in Torridge, North Devon, has been rescued thanks to volunteers from a local environmental charity.
A cross ridge dyke on Godborough Castle earthwork, northwest of Turner’s Wood, Torridge, is one of 74 sites taken off the Heritage at Risk Register in 2023.
The Heritage at Risk Register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places.
The cross ridge dyke is thought to be prehistoric in origin and is one of a number of promontory forts and cross ridge dykes along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall.
It overlooks the Taw-Torridge estuary and is visible as a large, linear earthwork bank and ditch running for over 250 metres. It is now part of a nature reserve run by the charity Devon Birds.
The site was at risk from unmanaged scrub growth which can damage archaeological deposits and obscure the monument from view.
It was included in Historic England and our Monument Management Scheme (MMS), through which the our archaeologist, Cressida Whitton, supported Devon Bird’s volunteers to carry out scrub clearance as part of their regular site management.
The charity will continue to run regular working parties with the local community to maintain the good condition of the monument, guided by a five-year site management plan developed in partnership with our Historic Environment Service and Historic England.
Although much-loved, very little is known about the monument, so there are also plans to carry out research to provide better information for visitors, including new guided walks, and for the many local school children who visit the reserve each year.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport said:
“I want to thank the volunteers at Devon Birds for their hard work in clearing the scrub from this important prehistoric site. Without this, the scrub would have continued to grow and obscure and possibly even damage the site. Their work and continued maintenance of the site will ensure that it can be seen and appreciated by visitors.”
Cressida Whitton, Devon County Historic Environment Tea,) said:
“I’ve really enjoyed working this year with the dedicated Godborough SM community volunteers, to improve the condition and public awareness of this nationally important archaeological site .
“This is our second Devon wide partnership scheme with Historic England, and I have been privileged to be working with other partners such as the Devon Archaeological Society, National Trust and Pebblebed Heaths Trust, all helping to protect some of our County’s most enduring prehistoric and medieval heritage.
“We have been working with AONBs and other willing partners on Scheduled Monument across the County, from Godborough Dyke SM in Torridge to Hembury Hillfort SM in East Devon.
“In many cases, the volunteering has led to renewed local community interest and the establishment of more permanent community volunteer groups, for example by DCC hosted partnerships , including the Friends of Hillsborough Castle, (North Devon Coast AONB) and Dunkeswell Abbey (Blackdown Hills AONB). MMS Visitor events also raise public awareness of this amazing archaeological heritage and help to support the work of landowners and heritage trusts, such as the Dunkeswell Abbey Trust, who work hard to protect local heritage. “
