List of hillforts in England Facts for Kids

There are over 1,200 hill forts in England! These amazing ancient sites are like giant outdoor museums. They were often built on top of hills, giving people a great view and a strong defensive position. Most of these forts were built during the Iron Age, which was a long time ago, from about 800 BC until the Roman conquest of Britain around 43 AD. Some of the very oldest ones even date back to the Bronze Age. Around 200 BC, many hill forts started to be used less and less.

What are Hill Forts?
Why Did Hill Forts Disappear?
Some Famous Hill Forts in England
Images for kids
See also

What are Hill Forts?

Hill forts are large, walled settlements built on hills. Imagine a whole village or town protected by huge banks of earth and deep ditches. These were not just simple fences! They were strong defenses designed to keep people safe.

Why Build on a Hill?

Building on a hill was a smart idea. It gave people a natural advantage. From a high point, you could see enemies coming from far away. The steep slopes of the hill also made it harder for attackers to reach the fort.

How Were Hill Forts Made?

Building a hill fort was a massive job. People used simple tools like picks made of antler and shovels made of wood. They dug huge ditches and used the earth to build up tall banks or walls. Sometimes, they added wooden fences or stone walls on top of these banks for extra protection. It would have taken many people working together for a long time to build just one of these forts!

Life Inside a Hill Fort

Inside the walls of a hill fort, people lived their daily lives. There would have been roundhouses for families, places to keep animals, and areas for crafts like pottery or metalworking. Hill forts were often busy communities, not just places for war. They were important centers for trade and meeting up with other groups.

Why Did Hill Forts Disappear?

Many hill forts stopped being used around the time the Romans arrived in Britain. The Romans had a different way of life and built their own towns and forts. As Roman power grew, the need for these large, defended settlements on hills became less important. Some hill forts were even taken over and used by the Romans themselves.

Some Famous Hill Forts in England

England has many incredible hill forts. Here are just a few examples that you might hear about:

Maiden Castle in Dorset: This is one of the largest and most complex hill forts in Britain. It has huge, winding earthworks that look like giant waves.
Danebury in Hampshire: This fort has been studied a lot by archaeologists. They have learned a great deal about what life was like inside an Iron Age hill fort here.
Uffington Castle in Oxfordshire: This fort is near the famous White Horse of Uffington, a giant chalk figure carved into the hillside.
The Wrekin in Shropshire: This is a very prominent hill with a large hill fort on its summit, offering amazing views.
Chanctonbury Ring in West Sussex: This fort is well-known for the circle of trees planted on its top in the 18th century, making it a distinctive landmark.
Cadbury Castle in Somerset: This site is sometimes linked to the legendary King Arthur, though there's no proof of this. It was a very important Iron Age settlement.
Bredon Hill in Worcestershire: This hill fort has impressive defenses and offers wide views across the surrounding countryside.