An Itford Hill style settlement is a domestic settlement of later Bronze Age date, comprising a series of small banked compounds set back-to-back, each containing one or more circular timber structures reflecting settlement and associated activities. Sites in this class generally cover areas of between 1ha and 3ha, the majority being located on the chalk downlands of Sussex.
Itford Hill style settlements are recognised by a series of key features, comprising low earthworks and platforms which form a series of small "compounds". These are frequently associated with tracks and hollow ways which link the settlements to nearby coaxial or regular aggregate field systems. Further common associations which may aid the authentication of sites in this class include the existence of barrow cemeteries in close proximity to the settlements.
Itford Hill style settlements have strong functional similarities with a number of other classes, notably the Martin Down enclosures of Wessex (see separate class description), although they can be distinguished from the latter on the basis of morphology and scale. Specifically excluded from this class are small clusters of unenclosed buildings and small enclosures adjacent to larger linear boundaries. Superficial similarities between this class and complex ditch settlments (see separate class description) may also confusion, although the latter can be separated on the basis of their chronology (LIA).
Itford Hill style settlements date to the later Bronze Age, generally between the 10th and 8th centuries bc, and formed settlements of 1-3 households. As such the function of these sites overlaps with other monument classes of a similar date such as Springfield style enclosures.