Out & About November 2017

OA feature

BUSSOCK CAMP SOUTH OF CHIEVELEY This hill fort is 2.3 miles to the south of

Hill to take in the commanding view across the Berkshire/Hampshire borders. Perhaps next time you are up there, you will be reminded of the Iron Age warriors, who nearly 3000 years ago stood on that very same spot and were able to defend their territory from such a vantage point. There is so much information out there about these ancient sites, including https://hillforts. arch.ox.ac.uk/, it is impossible to convey how significant they are. This feature gives just a taster, but if you want to know more a good starting point is information from West Berkshire Council’s archaeological department, which is concerned with preserving, protecting and promoting the historic environment. For more on what they do and the resources they have, visit www. westberks.gov.uk/archaeology They also have a presence on the newer West Berkshire Heritage website www.westberkshireheritage.org.uk – which gives much more information on the range of activities and events at Shaw House and the museum as well as locally. Thanks too, to Henry Rothwell from Digital Digging, for permission to use the aerial shots showing the camp shapes. www.digitaldigging.net

Newbury and covers about 10-11 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. (Occasionally open to the public under the National Garden Scheme) CAESAR’S CAMP EASTHAMPSTEAD, Nr BRACKNELL This is one of the most distinctively-shaped hill forts in the country, 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 old mill that once stood there. Outside West Berkshire, it is possible to visit the Caesar’s Camp. For more information, www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-and- countryside/parks-visit/caesars-camp This is not an exhaustive list of hill forts in the area. Many people will have climbed Beacon

Aerial view showing the shape of Caesar’s Camp

Aerial view showing the shape of Bussock Camp

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Newbury

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1 Walbury Camp 2 Membury Camp

3 Burrough Hill Camp 4 Perborough Castle

5 Bussock Camp 6 Grimsbury Castle

7 Caesar’s Camp

Aerial shots © Copyright Googlemaps 2017

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