A clothes-line enclosure is a small rectangular or sub-circular area bounded by an earthwork, in which one side is formed by an existing linear boundary, the remaining sides being purpose built. In this way, the enclosures appear to hang from the linear boundary, hence the class title.
Clothes-line enclosures are generally recognised archaeologically by their boundaries, usually a stone wall or earthwork, and by the presence of a linear boundary forming one of the sides. Aerial photography and detailed surface survey are the main methods by which these sites are identified and authenticated.
Clothes-line enclosures may be confused with various other classes of enclosure, particularly D-shaped enclosures which do not "hang" from linear boundaries. Similar confusion may occur in the case of Martin Down enclosures, which although similar in form again are not directly associated with linear boundaries. Specifically excluded from this class are small enclosures which lie at the junction of linear boundaries.
Clothes-line enclosures are found over a wide area, comprising the midlands, northern and south-west England. Although very few have been excavated, they are believed to be early/middle Iron Age in date, and were probably small settlements connected with particular kinds of farming.