Saxons set up camp in Walbury
Biggest fort in Berkshire stretched for more than 80 acres
Walbury Camp, near Combe
Walbury Camp is actually located on the highest chalk hill in the UK, maybe even Europe, although this has not been verified.
It is also the largest hill fort in Berkshire.
Situated between Inkpen and Combe Hill, the fort covers more than 80 acres and the markings show it was kite-shaped.
It had a single bank and ditch and two entrances.
The fort is univallate and the top of the edge is about 16ft above the ditch.
Walbury Camp is the starting point for the Test Way and the Wayfarers Walks and there is a footpath across the middle of the camp.
It is popular with both walkers and cyclists.
The Berkshire-Hampshire border used to run through Walbury Camp and along the top of the Combe Gibbet long barrow.
Combe parish became part of Berkshire in 1895.
Membury Camp
Situated on the high valleys between the Kennet and Lambourn, this hill fort lies for the most part within Wiltshire, but the north-east part is in Berkshire.
It lies on chalk subsoil and covers a vast 34 acres.
The defences are made up of a ditch nestled between two high banks and the eastern part is wooded and is known as Walls Copse.
Defences are made up of a ditch nestled between two high banks.
The original entrance is on the north east side, which was once defended by a flanking diagonal outwork.
Unfortunately the outwork was destroyed when the nearby Second World War airfield was built.
As it lies within the Membury Estate, it is important to stay along permitted footpaths.
Beacon Hill, Burghclere, Hampshire
Many people will have climbed Beacon Hill to take in the commanding view across the Berkshire/Hampshire borders.
Although the hill has never been excavated, other techniques have shown there to have been many huts and storage pits from the Iron Age.
The ditch and banks are still prominent and well preserved, with curving banks defending the entrance at the southern end of the site of this univallate hill fort.
Perhaps next time you are up there, you will be reminded of the Iron Age warriors, who nearly 3,000 years ago stood on that very
same spot and were able to defend their territory from such a vantage point.
Borough Hill Camp, Newbury (private)
One of the smaller forts, covering a little more than half-anacre, there is still some debate over whether or not this was actually a hill fort.
Archaeologist Dr S Palmer mentioned the discovery of Iron Age pottery, but nobody knows where those finds are.
In 1837, Alwyn Cotton states that the banks and ditches are clearly defined, but in 1963 an Ordnance Survey investigator was of the opinion that the field boundary and some sand
diggings did not necessarily indicate a hill fort. It disappeared from OS maps after 1974.
Perborough Castle, Compton (private)
Thought to be one of the earlier Iron Age forts, Perborough Castle is difficult to spot because agricultural erosion, particularly through extensive ploughing after the Second World War, has worn its shape away.
A circular fort, it is recorded as having included deep pits and ponds.
Several ‘cellars’ were said to have been found, containing burnt corn, while a number of Roman coins have also been dug up, including 500 found in an
earthenware jar.
Bussock Camp, south of Chieveley (private)
This hill fort is 2.3 miles to the north of Newbury and covers about 10 to 11 acres. It lies in the middle of a wood and is not quite circular in shape.
At one time, two sides of the defences were thought to be between 12 and 20 feet, but gravel quarrying has eroded that depth.
It is occasionally open to the public under the National Garden Scheme.
Caesar’s Camp, Easthampstead, near Bracknell (private)
Although not around Newbury, this is one of the most distinctively-shaped hill forts in the country and isn’t far from here.
Resembling an oak leaf, because its contours follow every valley rigidly along its 400ft length, it has entrances to the north, south, east and west and is thought to date from 1BC.
It was named Caesar’s Camp in the 18th century, but was originally known as Windmill Fort after the mill that stood there.
Find out more at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-andcountryside/parks-visit/caesarscamp
Thanks to Sarah Orr at West Berkshire Council’s archaeology department.
This article first appeared in Out&About magazine in 2017.