Sitting atop Knolls Down, on the edge of Wiltshire, lies Fosbury Camp – an iron age hillfort and scheduled monument.
Attributed to the family tribes of the Atrebates, Fosbury was probably constructed during the Middle Iron Age and although never quite completed this impressive fort rests majestically above the deep valleys and wooded slopes of the North Hampshire Downs.
Most of the site is open access land and accessible from two footpaths, one leading through the top of Oakhill Wood and then into the ‘North Gate’. The other path comes up from Woodside near Vernham Dean – past still visible field terraces to the fort’s main entrance; the East Gateway.
Standing at this portal between a prominent tree covered bank and ditch it’s easy to visualise the original warrior builders, our ancestors, staring back at us spears & slingshot ready! To the left is an incredible giant, an old gnarled beech tree, straight from Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings! Go past here and into the expansive grassy encampment itself and the path follows along the top of the defensive bank with fabulous views both east and west across to Conholt, Chute Causeway Roman Road and further into Hippenscombe valley far down below.
Across the meadow – beyond the old dew pond, a bushy chalk pit appears. Also in this area is an enigmatic 40ft diameter turf circle. Perhaps an anomaly left over from WWII such as an Royal Observer Corp Post? Or something older and more mysterious…
This place was built for protection & sanctuary and still maintains that ambience today – with just meadow butterflies, skylarks, brown hares and occasionally inquisitive cows wandering past for company.
Further Information
Grid Reference: SU320566
What3Words: thatched.orders.mason
