Savills : Rare sale provides chance to own an ancient monument in Devon

The scheduled monument is considered to be the finest prehistoric hillfort in Devon and is spectacularly situated on a heathland promontory at the southern end of a 240m high ridge within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The sale, which includes land extending to approximately 38.8 acres in total, represents an incredibly rare opportunity to own the freehold to a site of significant archaeological, conservational and ecological value.

Located 4 miles from Honiton, Hembury Fort is a small multivallate hillfort of Iron Age date, occupying the site of an earlier Neolithic causewayed enclosure. The Fort was later occupied by the Roman Army in the middle of the 1^st century AD.

Hillforts are among the most striking of all archaeological monuments in England, built and occupied during the period from about 900 to 100 BC. During the Iron Age the country was divided into numerous tribal territories and hillforts were used as defended settlements.

Hembury Fort has survived in exceptionally good condition with a well-defined circuit of defences. As such the site has significant archaeological value.

The entire site has been managed under Natural England's Higher Level Stewardship Scheme since 2014. Under this funded scheme extensive capital works have been undertaken, together with an ongoing management plan that has transformed the Fort, as well as the biodiversity and landscape value of the site as a whole.

Penny Dart is marketing Hembury Fort Cross for Savills Exeter. She comments:

'It is incredibly rare for a site of such importance to reach the open market. A significant heritage asset, the landscape is also rich in ecological and environmental value. From the open heathland ridge, which offers outstanding views over Dartmoor and the south coast, mature woodland slopes away, providing fascinating woodland walks and a diverse habitat for interesting flora and fauna. It is a fascinating opportunity.'