Name: Old Oswestry Hillfort
Rating: 5.0

Old Oswestry Hillfort

Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AA, UK

1-99 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Old Oswestry Hillfort the huge hillfort at Old Oswestry was probably the stronghold and principal settlement of an Iron Age tribe, with its 40 acres protected by formidable ramparts. Old Oswestry was built and occupied during the Iron Age (800 BC to AD 43) and is one of the best-preserved hillforts in Britain.

During this period Britain was divided into numerous tribal territories, and the hillfort was probably a stronghold and principal settlement for one of these. A fine example of a ‘multi-vallate’ or multiple rampart hillfort, it is one of a dense band of hillforts in eastern Wales and the Marches. It remained in use for almost 1,000 years.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Old Oswestry Hillfort: Old Oswestry was built and occupied during the Iron Age (800 BC to AD 43) and is one of the best-preserved hillforts in Britain. During this period Britain was divided into numerous tribal territories, and the hillfort was probably a stronghold and principal settlement for one of these. A fine example of a ‘multi-vallate’ or multiple rampart hillfort, it is one of a dense band of hillforts in eastern Wales and the Marches. It remained in use for almost 1,000 years.
The Ramparts: Much of the information about the site comes from excavations conducted in 1939 by William Varley, but only published in the 1990s. Varley’s excavations showed that the complex defensive ramparts that surround the hillfort were not built at the same time and that there were four distinct phases in their development.
Life inside the Hillfort: People used the hilltop from the Neolithic period through to Roman times, but the main settlements here date to the later Bronze Age and Iron Age (from about 1000 BC to AD 43).
The discovery of a stone axe and flint tools here suggests that the hill was first occupied in the Neolithic period. The first direct evidence of a settlement, however, dates to about 1000 BC, before the first ramparts were built.
After the Hillfort: After the hillfort had been abandoned it was incorporated into an earthwork known as Wat's Dyke. Wat's Dyke is one of a number of linear earthworks in the Welsh borders, and is similar to the longer Offa’s Dyke. This was probably built by King Offa in the 8th century to separate his Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia from the British kingdoms in Wales.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking is available off of Gatacre Avenue (postcode SY11 1DP), a quarter mile walk along a public footpath from the hillfort.
Dogs: Sheep and cattle graze across the hillfort, so please keep dogs on leads.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AA, UK

Post Code: SY10 7AA

Council: Shropshire

County: Shropshire

Road Access: 1 mile north of Oswestry, off an unclassified road off A483.
Bus Access: Arriva service 2, 2A, 53 to Gobowen Road or Arriva Oswestry town service 404 to Old Fort Way and then short walk.
Train Access: Gobowen 2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: Free parking is available off of Gatacre Avenue (postcode SY11 1DP), a quarter mile walk along a public footpath from the hillfort.