Barbury Castle

Coordinates: 51°29′07″N 1°47′11″W / 51.4853°N 1.7865°W / 51.4853; -1.7865
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the politician, see Barbara Castle.

Barbury Castle
Aerial view of Barbury Castle
Barbury Castle is located in Wiltshire
Barbury Castle
Shown within Wiltshire
LocationWiltshire
Coordinates51°29′07″N 1°47′11″W / 51.4853°N 1.7865°W / 51.4853; -1.7865
TypeHillfort
Area12 acres (4.9 ha)
History
PeriodsIron Age
Site notes
Public accessyes, The Ridgeway
Official nameBarbury Castle: a hillfort and bowl barrow
Designated18 August 1882
Reference no.1014557

Barbury Castle is a scheduled hillfort in Wiltshire, England.[1] It is one of several such forts found along the ancient Ridgeway route. The site, which lies within the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been managed as a country park by Swindon Borough Council since 1971. It is on Barbury Hill, a local vantage point, which, under ideal weather conditions, commands a view across to the Cotswolds and the River Severn. It has two deep defensive ditches and ramparts.[2]

History

The site was first occupied some 2,500 years ago, and was then in use during the Roman occupation of the area. Archaeological investigations at Barbury have shown evidence of a number of buildings, indicating a village or military garrison at this time.

In the 6th century the site became part of the

Saxon kingdom of Wessex, following the defeat of the Romano-British at the Battle of Beranburgh, Beran Byrig or Beranbyrig in AD 556, the site of which is just north of the castle.[3] Centuries later the area was a favourite haunt of the 19th-century writer Richard Jefferies, who lived an hour's walk away at Coate.[2] The site was designated as a scheduled monument in 1882.[1]

In World War II the War Ministry appropriated the site for US Army Air Force anti-aircraft guns; the bases for these are apparently visible as hollows around the edge of the fort interior.[4]

In 1996, a geophysical survey revealed traces of 40

Iron Age roundhouse was built on the site in 2006 but was destroyed by vandals in October 2008.[5]

In 2009, English Heritage (now Historic England) carried out a National Mapping Programme project which comprised an interpretation, transcription and analysis of all archaeological features visible on aerial photographs in the environs of Barbury Castle.[6]

Location

Barbury Castle is at

North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is close to the Ridgeway long-distance footpath, which runs east–west along the edge of the downs. In the surrounding area there are round barrows, Celtic field systems and 18th-19th century flint workings.[2]

Gallery

  • Barbury Castle
    Steep earthworks looking northwards
  • Barbury Castle Aerial View
    Aerial view from above
  • Barbury Castle showing the scale of the present-day structure
    Barbury Castle showing the scale of the present-day structure
  • Looking westwards towards the River Severn
    Looking westwards towards the River Severn
  • The Iron Age house under construction, July 2006
    The Iron Age house under construction, July 2006
  • Plans of the Iron Age house
    Plans of the Iron Age house

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Historic England. "Barbury Castle: a hillfort and bowl barrow (1014557)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Leisure and sport: Barbury Castle". Swindon Borough Council. Archived from the original on 16 January 2006.
  3. Oxoniensia. LIX. Oxford Architectural and Historical Society
    : 56. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b The Modern Antiquarian: Barbury Castle
  5. ^ "Iron Age replica goes up in flames". Swindon Advertiser. 29 October 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Barbury Castle Environs: Air Photo Survey and Analysis". Historic England. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2022.

External links

Media related to Barbury Castle at Wikimedia Commons

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