England
Fortified sites
Maiden Castle, near Dorchester, Dorset
The largest Iron Age hill-fort in Britain, the imposing fortifications of Maiden Castle were excavated during the 1930s and 1980s. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. Maiden Castle is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.279. Danebury, near Stockbridge, Hampshire
The Iron Age hill-fort of Danebury was extensively excavated over some 20 years, making it the most closely studied hill-fort site in Britain. Danebury is now maintained by Hampshire County Council. The site is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.liants.gov.uk /countryside /danebury/index.html. Stanwick, near Forcett, North Yorkshire Excavated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in the early 1950s, Stanwick was the Late Iron age capital of the Brigantes, the most important tribe in pre-Roman northern Britain. The oldest section of the 310-hectare site is now maintained by English Heritage. The site is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ onPropert)'.38-i. Old Sarum, near Winchester, Hampshire The Iron Age hill-fort at Old Sarum (the original site of the town of Winchester) remained in near-constant use until the 12th century, and became the
The hill-fort at Winklebury, Wiltshire was built in three phases, the earliest being the staggered barrier stretching across the steep-sided ridge (in the background of this view). The defences were then extended around the edge of the slope during the 3rd century BC. Finally in the mid-1st century BC the defences were consolidated into the smaller, oval-shaped hill-fort seen in the foreground. (RCAHM)
site of a Norman castle. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. Old Sarum is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: mvw.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConPropcrty.293. Blackbury Camp, near Honiton, Devon
Sitting astride a narrow ridge, the Iron Age hill-fort at Blackbury Camp (also known as Blackbury Castle) was excavated during the 1950s, when the site's unusual entrance was examined in detail. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. Blackbury Camp is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.englisli-lieritage.org.uk/server/show/ ConProperty.239. Bratton Camp, near Westbury, Wiltshire
The well-preserved Iron Age hill-fort at Bratton Camp was built beside an older Neolithic barrow, and shares its hill with a white horse carved into the chalk slopes. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. Bratton is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.englisli-lieritage.org.uk /server/slww/ConProperty.242. Old Oswestry, Oswestry, Shropshire
A large and complex hill-fort situated a mile from the modern town of Oswestry, on the Welsh borders. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. It is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.english-lieritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.349.
- The hill-fort of Pen Dinas overlooking Aberystwyth in Cardigan was excavated in the 1930s, when it was revealed the fort was built in three phases, the final one being completed during the I st century AD, and encompassing both hills on the same ridge. (RCAHM)
Uffington Castle, near Wantage, Oxfordshire
The hill-fort at Uffington dominated the 'Ridgeway', an ancient upland track that crossed central and southern England during the Bronze Age and Iron Age. The Bronze Age white horse carved into an adjacent hillside is the largest and oldest carving of this type in Britain, while a series of nearby burial mounds also predate the hill-fort, and attest to Uffington's prehistoric importance. The site is now maintained by English Heritage. Uffington Castle is open throughout the year, and a self-guided trail is provided. Website: www.englisliheritage.org.uk/server/ show/ConProperty.224.
Museums
The British Museum, Russell Street, London
The premier history museum in Britain, the British Museum contains a vast collection of Iron Age artefacts. The museum boasts one of the best archaeological bookshops in the world. Nearest underground stations are Holborn or Russell Square. For opening times and further information contact the museum on (0207) 323 8299, or visit their website at www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk. Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset A superb archaeological collection, including artefacts relating to Maiden Castle and other Iron Age hill-forts in the area. Contact the museum on (01305) 262735 or visit their website for further information and opening times: www.dorsetcountymuseum.org/index.htm. Hull and East Riding Museum, High Street, Hull
The collection contains an Iron Age logboat and other artefacts relating to the Iron Age in northern England. Contact the museum on (01482) 300300. No dedicated website at present.
Butser Ancient Farm, Horndean, Waterlooville, Hampshire
A reconstruction of an Iron Age village. Generally open at weekends only. For details contact the farm on (01239) 891319, or visit their website: www.bu tser. org.uk.
Flag Fen, The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough
A reconstructed Late Bronze Age settlement, complete with a working farm. The waterlogged timbers of the original lake-dwelling settlement are still in situ, and can be viewed by visitors. The site also contains the reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse. The Flag Fen site is open all year. Call (01733) 313414 for information, or visit their website: www.flagfen.com. Museum of the Iron Age, 6 Church Close, Andover, Hampshire The museum is the only one in Britain dedicated to the interpretation of an Iron Age hill-fort, in this case Danebury. The museum contains reconstructions and models of the fort as well as artefacts recovered during its excavation. Open throughout the year from Tuesdays to Saturdays. For further information call (01264) 366283, or visit their website: www.hants.gov.uk/museum/ironagem. Peat Moors Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Somerset A fascinating prehistoric interpretation centre on the outskirts of Glastonbury, the site includes a series of reconstructions, including Iron Age roundhouses based on those found at the Glastonbury lake village, and an inter-pretation of the prehistoric trackways known as the 'Somerset Levels' which once crossed the boggy area around the site. Open from 1 April until 31 October, daily (except Wednesdays). For further information call (01458) 860697, or visit their website: www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/cultureheritage/heritage/pmc.
Warham hill-fort in Norfolk was protected by two substantial circular ramparts separated by a ditch, although the position of the original gateway is unclear. The banks encompassed a 1.4 hectare enclosure. (RCAHM)
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