The Sutton Walls Conservation Group was set up in 2017 in response to a request from Historic England for volunteers from Sutton St Nicholas and Marden to start a community group to try and raise awareness of the plight of this scheduled ancient monument through the creation of a Conservation Management Plan. It is a group of like-minded local volunteers who want to see this historic hill fort preserved for future generations and removed from the Heritage At Risk Register.

 

Where are we now?

• We are a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation with ten committee members of which seven are trustees.

• We are working in consultation with Historic England and local organisations to ensure the site is protected and enhanced.

• We have received a Capacity Building Grant from Historic England for our legal fees to take on a long-term lease from the current owners.  We are extremely grateful to the local family who own Sutton Walls for their support and enthusiasm for this project. 

• The long lease that has been negotiated is important so the group can access grants from Historic England and other institutions.

• We have received grants to enable a digital baseline map of Sutton Walls to be plotted, a badger and bat survey to be commissioned and a geo-phys survey of accessible areas of the hillfort and surrounding land to be undertaken.

• Historic England provided funding for the renovation of the East Entrance with the main aim of increasing the bio diversity of within the newly fenced area.

 

Our Plans –​

• A detailed conservation management plan (CMP) was produced in November 2019 on the Group’s behalf by Historic England, for implementation in the next ten years and beyond. The CMP is under constant review as different projects are completed”

• To explore the historical and ecological importance of the site, its archaeological significance and its current use by the local community.

• To install interpretation boards on the monument highlighting the historical and ecological importance of the site.

• To undertake archaeological surveys and excavations.

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