Bury Hill Fort

Bury Hill Fort, located on Red Rice Road in Upper Clatford Hampshire, is a significant Iron Age hillfort that showcases the region’s ancient history. Situated on an elevated position, it offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside, a strategic advantage that would have been essential for its original inhabitants. This hillfort, dating back to around the first millennium BCE, exemplifies the defensive ingenuity of Iron Age communities.

 

The fort is roughly circular in shape and is defined by substantial earthworks, including a single rampart and ditch system. These structures would have served both as fortifications and as a deterrent to potential invaders. While much of the site has been eroded by time and agricultural activity, the remaining features still convey the scale and complexity of the original construction.

 

Archaeological evidence suggests that Bury Hill Fort may have served as a settlement or a refuge during times of conflict. Its location near the River Anton would have provided a reliable water source, essential for sustaining its inhabitants. Artefacts such as pottery shards and tools unearthed in the area offer glimpses into the daily lives of the people who once lived there.

 

Today, Bury Hill Fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, protected for its historical importance. Visitors to the site can explore its remnants while appreciating its tranquil rural setting noting that the site is privately owned and so visitors should stick to the public footpath which goes round it. Although much of its original purpose remains speculative, Bury Hill Fort stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of Iron Age societies in Britain.