Barbury Castle

Photo By Martyn Pattison

Barbury Castle is a large earthworks hill fort that sits on the edge of the Marlborough Downs overlooking the Ridgeway Path, National Trail. Today most know it as a pleasant place to visit with exceptional views, but it also has a place of note in history as a place that was involved in the establishment of Wessex. In the 6th century the Battle of Beranburgh, between the Saxons and the Romano-British, established the Saxon Kingdom of Wessex following the Briton's defeat at Barbury.

Photo by Andrew Smith

Although not as impressive as Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury in Somerset and some of the other major hill forts it is still well worth a visit. It occupies 11 acres and  consists of double ramparts, a ditch and two entrances, with the west entrance leading directly onto the Ridgeway. Archaeological investigations at Barbury have revealed evidence of a number of buildings, indicating a village or military garrison. The hill fort was in use during the Roman occupation, through into Saxon times. Weapons and tools have been unearthed, and even evidence of chariots have been discovered.

Click on any of the smaller images to see larger versions

It is now a part of a country park, with a number of events and attractions. It was not a great distance from where I grew up and we always knew it as a particularly good place to fly kites.

One of the best explanations and photos of many parts can be found at pegasusarchive.

In more recent years it has hit the headlines a number of times associated with crop markings, that some say are produced by aliens, but others feel they are produced by people for some unknown reason.  You can read more about these by clicking here.

Iron Age Roundhouse: a reconstructed roundhouse was built in 2006, to show the style of house thought to have been on this site, but it burned down in October 2008.

Construction of the roundhouse  - Edited copy of a public domain photo on Wikipedia

Location: Barbury Castle, nr Wroghton, Swindon, Wiltshire Grid Reference: SU149762 Ceremonial County: Wiltshire Map Link: Multimap Aerial photo: Multimap good     Google good Getting there: Barbury Castle Country Park lies south-west of Chiseldon. From M4 Junction 15, follow the A346 towards Marlborough until you see signs for 'Chiseldon'. Then follow the signs for 'Barbury Castle'. Free parking at the country park. Access: via a footpath from either the Ridgeway Path or from the country park car park. Website:  Swindon Borough Council Other Useful Websites: Wikipedia     Megalist     English Nature        BBC pegasusarchive    Digitaldigging Email: Address: Postcode: Telephone: Opening Times: Open all year round Charges: None Nearby Locations:  Hackpen White Horse Other Location Pages: Ridgeway Path     Other Relevant Pages: Notes:

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By: Keith Park	Section: Heritage	Key:
Page Ref: Barbury_castle	Topic: Earthworks and Hill Forts	Last Updated: 04/2009

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