Nordy Bank facts for kids
For the children's novel by Sheena Porter, please see Nordy Bank (novel).
Nordy Bank is an ancient hill fort from the Iron Age. It is located on Brown Clee Hill in South Shropshire, England. This area is part of the Shropshire Hills AONB, which means it's a very special place for its natural beauty.
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Where is Nordy Bank?
Nordy Bank is found near a village called Clee St. Margaret. This village looks over Ludlow, which is the closest market town. Experts believe the fort was built a very long time ago. This was probably between the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. Today, Nordy Bank is a protected historical site. This means it is kept safe under a special law.
What Does Nordy Bank Look Like?
Nordy Bank is a type of hill fort called a univallate fort. This means it has one main wall or rampart for protection. It sits on the western edge of a ridge that comes off Brown Clee Hill.
Size and Shape of the Fort
The fort is shaped like an oval. It measures about 260 meters (853 feet) long. It is also about 200 meters (656 feet) wide. The whole area inside the fort covers about 3.2 hectares (nearly 8 acres).
Entrances and Defenses
The main way into the fort seems to have been on the northeast side. Here, the ramparts are wider and lower. This suggests there might have been a special gatehouse structure. Another entrance is on the south side. This one is above a steep slope, making it harder for attackers to reach. There is no sign of a guard-house at this second entrance. Other gaps in the walls are likely from more recent times.
What Was Nordy Bank Used For?
Archaeologists have found small signs of buildings inside the fort. These are mostly near the northwest part. One building might have been about 8 meters (26 feet) square. People likely used Nordy Bank for several reasons. It could have been a place to keep farm animals safe. It was also probably a refuge, a safe place for people during attacks. It might even have been a permanent settlement where people lived all the time.
The ditches and earthworks around the fort are still in good condition. However, some parts of the walls on the southeast side have been damaged by old quarrying.
Nearby Walking Paths
Two long-distance walking paths pass near Nordy Bank. The Jack Mytton Way goes right next to the site. The Shropshire Way is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the northeast.
Nordy Bank is also the setting for a children's novel. It is featured in Sheena Porter's book, Nordy Bank, which was published in 1964.
