1. A generally oval cliff-top enclosure, some 60m north-south by 52m, defined by a curvilinear trace of rampart and ditch, resting above steep coastal slopes on the south. The western side is thought to have been lost to erosion. The clearly defined entrance faces east and traces of an internal quarry ditch have been recorded. Flint flakes and cores have been reported from the site, which is partly obscurred by a World War II anti-invasion installation (NPRN 270745-6).
(source Os495card; SM80SE28)
J.Wiles, RCAHMW, 25 January 2005.
2. Site visit and ground photography by RCAHMW 7 August 2025.
Description derived from RCAHMW site visit together with description and sketch plan produced by Murphy, 2010.
West Pickard Camp (Scheduled Monument PE167) occupies part of the shallow promontory between the bays of West Pickard and East Pickard. It is univallate in form, a single curving bank and ditch defining the northern and eastern side of the enclosure, and running from the eroding red sandstone sea cliffs above West Pickard Bay, to a band of outcropping rock forming low cliffs on the south. Whilst generally described as a coastal promontory fort, West Pickard can equally be described as a circular cliff-top promontory enclosure, the western side of which has been lost to coastal erosion. It is likely Iron Age in date (c. 800 BC - AD 43).
Today the interior of the camp measures c. 45 metres east-west by 55 metres north-south. Two entrances lead into the interior, one in the northeast corner, formed by a simple c. 6 metres wide gap between the rampart bank. An isolated stone, set on its edge and 1.5 metres in length, defines the western side of the entrance gateway. To the west of the entrance, the rampart bank defining the northern side of the camp stands c. 1.7 metres above the interior and 4 metres above the outer ditch and has an old boundary bank running along its top. The external ditch is a maximum 0.6 metres deep and is clearly visible in section at the eroding cliff face, taking the form of a flat-bottomed rock-cut ditch over 1 metre deep. There is evidence of a possible counterscarp bank to the ditch along this northern section. To the south of the entrance, the defences defining the eastern side of the camp are more pronounced, though disturbed by later WW2 military activity. The c. 13 metre wide bank stands 3 metres above the interior and 4 metres above the external rock-cut ditch which is 8 metres wide and 1.8 metres deep. Mid way along this ditch is a 2 metre wide causeway, defined by a spine of unexcavated rock and potentially marking the approach to a second entrance. To the south of this causeway the ditch continues for 20 metres ending at a band of outcropping rock forming a low cliff. The corresponding bank to this ditch has been removed to accommodate a WW2 gun emplacement (NPRN 801603), the spoil from it having been pushed into the interior of the camp to form a distinctive in-turn to the surviving section of bank. This later modification obscures our understanding of a possible second entrance arrangement.
Few upstanding remains survive in the interior of the camp, except for a small quarry in the northeast corner.
To the south and east of the camp is a sloping grass shelf defined on the north by a low cliff of outcropping rock and steeper coastal slopes, and exposed rock and sea cliffs on the south. This area can be interpreted as an extension to the camp, a relatively secluded annexe. A distinctive scarp slope at the southern edge of the grass, where it meets the exposed rock, looks to have been artificially enhanced and creates a southern boundary to the area. It is particularly clear on LiDAR. Rocks and boulders form distinct natural features, and there is an obvious rock shelter located at the base of the low cliff at SM 86269 00995. This natural arrangement of leaning 'roof' slabs propped on a protruding bedrock 'uprights' stand over a metre tall, with a wide south-facing opening form a distinct shelter with a dry internal space; such a space could have performed a range of practical or sacred functions on this exposed coastal shelf below the fort.
West Pickard Camp was used by the military during WW2, in association with the nearby Angle Airfield. The gun emplacement mentioned above (NPRN 801603) survives as a circular bank up to 0.6 metres high, defining an internal area 8 metres in diameter, with an entrance on the northeast side and traces of an internal concrete surface. There are also two distinct hollows 1.5 metres in diameter and 0.8m deep (NPRNs 270745 and 270746), probable weapons pits, dug into the top of the rampart bank defining the east side of the camp. A concrete surround is also visible in the outer face of the east bank between the two weapons pits and is a likely to have been a machine gun post and lookout, dug into the bank (NPRN 801604). Other WW2 features are visible on 1946 aerial photographs (106G/UK/1629 2093-4). These include three scars possibly from the removal of temporary buildings, two inside the fort and one outside to the east (Murphy 2010)
Louise Barker and Toby Driver, RCAHMW, 22 August 2025.
Sources
Cadw Scheduling Description PE167 https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=2042
Murphy, K., 2010. ‘Coastal Promontory Forts Sketch Surveys and Descriptions’ in Meek, J., Arfordir Coastal Heritage 2009-2010. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust Report No. 2010/23) http://www.walesher1974.org/herumd.php?group=DAT&level=3&docid=301361706
