Situated just outside Dorchester, on the western side, Poundbury Hillfort overlooks the River Frome on the north side. Originally it had two ramparts and ditches on all sides but most of these earlier defences have been ravaged by the hands of time and man. Excavations were carried out in 1938 giving an early Iron Age date for the earliest rampart. The Romans destroyed the northern part of the outer rampart and ditch when they constructed the aqueduct; they also built a vast cemetery on the north-east side of the hillfort, outside the town walls. This was excavated in the 70s and the numerous skeletons and material excavated greatly increased the knowledge of Roman Dorchester.

The Victorians tried to avoid major destruction by tunnelling the railway under it, also on the north side. Photo taken in November 1989 form the north-west. FR 21/5