Libraries and leisure

Archaeology - Sites to See

Devil's Dyke

Devil’s Dyke, Wheathampstead is a massive ditch, perhaps made by deepening a natural valley, and measuring approximately 470m long, 12m deep and 40m wide at the top. It also was probably constructed during the latter part of the Iron Age, but although the Dyke is very similar in form to Beech Bottom Dyke there is no definite evidence of any physical connection between the two. Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who investigated Devil’s Dyke in 1932-3, related it to another similar feature known as ‘The Moat’, or ‘The Slad’, which runs parallel to the dyke about 500m to the east. He suggested that these two earthworks formed the principal defences of an ‘oppidum’ or tribal centre, which was perhaps the headquarters of the British chieftain Cassivellaunus and possibly the site of his defeat by Julius Caesar in 54 B.C.

The Devil’s Dyke is situated on the west side of Wheathampstead. Follow the B653 Welwyn Garden City road for about 900 yards from the town centre and turn right into Dyke Lane. Follow this for c.200 yards, and the dyke lies immediately adjacent to the road, on the east side. Grid reference TL 1830 1345.

Map showing Devil's Dyke