Monument record MDO7146 - Rabbit warren, Bere Regis

One of two mounds on Warren Heath, situated on either side of a low ridge and interpreted as probable pillow mounds. In 1970 this monument was reported as being a ditched oval mound around 140 feet long and 35 feet wide, and 1½ feet high at one end.

SY 85069130 A long mound with a ditch on the south side is probably either a rabbit-warren or, as locally believed, an old rifle-butt. <2> This earthwork, orientated north west-south east, measures 30m east-west and 10m north-south with an average height of 0.2m. There are no traces of side ditches and the feature is now under grass. It is unlikely to have been a rifle-butt as suggested by Authy 2 since it is sited slightly below the crest of a hill. <3> Two mounds, probably rabbit warrens, lie on either side of a flat-topped ridge on Warren Heath. A. SY 85059130 Ditched oval mound, immediately above the steep south slope is 140ft long, north west-south east and 35ft wide; the height varies from 1 1/2ft at the north west end falling to 9ins at the south east end. A Ditch, 12ft wide and 9ins eep runs along the south west side and around the north west end, probably continuing along the north east side. B. SY 85159142 Elongated mound with parellel sides, 165 yds north east of (a) and similarly sited above a steep north-facing slope. Formerly about 90ft long, west-east and 15ft wide, now ploughed almost flat. <4> 'Rabbit Warren' is shown on the Tithe Apportionment of 1845 according to Mills at the place name of Warren (shown on OS plans at SY 8591). Mills adds that "the abbess of Tarrant had a warren in Bere Regis in 1402". <5> Ploughed out - no remains. <6>

Record last edited

Mar 8 2023 3:09PM