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The Roundabouts

In the civil parish of Much Wenlock.
In the historic county of Shropshire.
Modern Authority of Shropshire.
1974 county of Shropshire.
Medieval County of Shropshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SO60249844
Latitude 52.58216° Longitude -2.58823°

The Roundabouts has been described as a Timber Castle but is rejected as such.

There are earthwork remains.

Description

A slight trace still remains of a mound known as the Roundabout. Recently ploughed out, it was quite a high mound with a ditch all round it (Auden 1911).
An irregular mound at the bottom of a valley measuring 90m NE/SW by 60m transversley, and about 2m high. It is now grass covered and appears to be natural; probably of glacial origin (1979. Ordnance Survey Record Card SO69NW6).
Viewed from a vantage point-looking down from the road which runs S of the site. It is definitely not a motte or castle, it is far too large, and round in profile. It is a natural glacial mound, which appears to have been used as an enclosure, because a ditch can be seen on the SW side of it (Horton, Wendy B. 1991-Feb-07. Site Visit Form). (Shropshire HER)
Comments

Horton's opinion this mound is 'far too large' to be a motte is debatable. In Shropshire, where ther are many small mottes it is large but it certainly falls within the size of motte mounds in the country more generally. However this does not take away from the more general comments and the site can be dismissed as a motte. Presumably the suggested enclosure was nothing more than a livestock enclosure.
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:29

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