Badbury Rings...
Badbury Rings is part of the Kingston Lacy Estate near Wimborne.
Just down the road from Kingston Lacy House, this ancient monument has been inhabited for much of the last 10,000 years, but now has a wonderfully deserted and almost desolate feel to it. One of several ancient earthworks in Dorset, Badbury Rings is not as big as Maiden Castle, but has views which are less interrupted by 21st Century developments than its contemporary near Dorchester. On the other hand, situated in the somewhat flatter countryside of East Dorset, Badbury Rings does not enjoy the dramatic rolling vistas that are seen from Eggardon Hill in West Dorset. It is, nonetheless, a beautiful spot and a great place to relax or vent some energy. Like the other earth works in the Dorset area, Badbury Rings are thousands of years old and have been built up gradually throughout that period as a defence from enemy tribes. But like its contemporaries proved to be ineffective against the invading might of the Roman Empire around 43 AD. Other than the views, the earthworks and the wildlife they support, there’s not much else to Badbury Rings. Nevertheless they are a great place to visit and kids especially will love the chance to run around or up and down these impressive earthwork defences. Now owned by the National Trust, who picked it up as part of the package handed to it by the Bankes family along with Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle, this is an open space which fits in well with a visit to Kingston Lacy House or as a visit in its own right. You can take your kids or your dogs there to let off some steam, but keep a close eye on both. First because the area is not without water and other hazards, but also because the rings are grazed by livestock. So keeping kids and dogs under good control and tidying up after them makes good sense…sadly not every dog owner sees it that way! Keep in mind to that this is truly an ancient monument and should be treated with some degree of care. Respect signs that ask you to do or not to do certain things and keep off bits that you’re asked to keep off. It may well be the case that this former earth walled habitation has been around for several thousand years, but it is equally true that they aren’t making any new ones! So lets look after the ones we’ve got! |
Just down the road from Kingston Lacy House, this ancient monument has been inhabited for much of the last 10,000 years, but now has a wonderfully deserted and almost desolate feel to it....."
Click for information from the National Trust's website
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