South West Region

 Oldbury Castle in Wiltshire is not in fact a medieval fortification, but an Iron Age hillfort, built around 500 BC. The National Trust, who own the site, asked us to investigate some puzzling aspects of the defences in advance of essential conservation work. Oldbury Castle is accessible to visitors. Oldbury Castle hillfort

Shoulsbury Castle is an Iron Age hillfort commanding the western approaches to Exmoor. It was opened up to the public under the CRoW Act and we were asked to carry out a survey to inform the National Park and local authority in making new access routes. The survey team has made an important new discovery of a Neolithic/|early Bronze Age stone setting, one of a series unique to Exmoor. Shoulsbury Castle

Lodge Park, in Gloucestershire, is a unique landscape by Charles Bridgman. Once a deer park, it has an unusual 16th century grandstand from which spectators watched the sport of deer coursing. Many earthen banks and ditches surviving within the Park are helping us to find out more about its early history as well as Bridgman's work. Lodge Park is open to visitors. Lodge Park

St Giles's House, Dorset, seat of the Earls of Shaftesbury, has an extensive park and garden which was remodelled in the 1740s. An impressive shell grotto, a cave, towersts and a serpentine lake were some of the features added at this time. Recent work by English Heritage has identified the position of lost 18th century buildings and has revealed what the park was like before the remodelling. St Giles's House

 Brentor, with the tiny church of St Michael de Rupe clinging precariously to its summit,  will be a familiar landmark to anyone who has travelled on Dartmoor.  But the grassy humps and bumps surrounding the church are overlooked by most visitors and remain an enigma even to experts who know of their existence. Brentor is accessible to visitors. Brentor, Dartmoor
 
 Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire is a well known stately home of the late 17th and early 18th century. The National Trust, who own the property, asked us to investigate the surrounding grounds for traces of the well-documented gardens that once surrounded the house. Our research also revealed evidence for medieval and prehistoric activity. Dyrham Park is open to visitors. Dyrham Park

 You could be forgiven for thinking that Silbury Hill - Europe's largest prehistoric mound - might be quite well understood after 300 years of archaeological research. Not a bit! Our recent investigation, prompted by the collapse of an excavation dug in 1776, drew attention to some important and intriguing characteristics of the mound that have always previously been overlooked. Silbury Hill

 The Forestry Commission has asked us to investigate Castle Neroche, in Somerset's Blackdown Hills, with a view to presenting it to visitors. Clearly, it's a Norman castle, but our research suggests that it was sited to make best use of a prehistoric hillfort, which had benefitted from the same commanding poition more than a 1,000 years before. Castle Neroche

 Like many other so-called 'untouched wildernesses', Dartmoor has been entirely shaped by past human activity. The National Park Authority asked us to examine one of the most dramatic mining landscapes in the Park, at Birch Tor and Headland Warren. Both areas are accessible to visitors. Dartmoor

 The Government has asked the Ministry of Defence to ensure that it is making the best possible use of the resources of the vast training areas it owns around Britain, including the Defence Estates on Dartmoor. We are helping them to identify, record and understand the many archaeological remains: to their surprise, we consider the recent military features an important part of the historic environment. Defence Estates

 Larkbarrow Farm sounds tranquil, but the now-ruined farm once stood within one of Exmoor's artillery training areas. As well as revealing much about the rise and fall of the farm, our investigation discovered traces of much earler activity, including two standing stones.  Larkbarrow Farm, Exmoor

 Minchinhampton Common in Goucestershire is not only a popular local beauty spot, but an area of grassland where archaeological remains of all types and dates are exceptionally well-preserved. Minchinhampton Common

 RAF Perranporth in Cornwall is one of the best-preserved Second World War fighter airfields in Britain, with many of its original features still surviving intact. RAF Perranporth

 Lydiard Park in Wiltshire is a popular amenity for local people. Swindon Council has asked us to tell them more about the historic parkland, so that a full picture of its history can be presented to visitors. John Lord, one of our the two applicants for this year's Professional Placements scheme, is taking the lead. Lydiard Park

 The Quantock Hills are protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Past human activity has helped to create the distinctive character of this landscape, so English Heritage is working with all interested parties to ensure that the historic environment is understood and looked after as well as possible. Quantock Hills