Barbury Castle or Camp in Wiltshire is between Swindon and Marlborough It lies high on the chalk downs on Hackpen Hill with views right across to the Vale of the White Horse. Sometimes called Barbury Castle, the site has interesting historical associations spanning the centuries.
Built originally as a hill-fort, covering some 12 acres, it is encircled by two ditches and a rampart. Although never excavated, some interesting remains jewellery, coins, arrowheads and so forth, dating from the 3rd and 2nd century B.C. have been found there. They can now be seen in Marlborough Museum.
Centuries later the West Saxons are said to have inflicted a stinging defeat on the Britons here in the Battle of Beran Byrig in A.D. 556. In the 19th century the whole region was a favourite haunt of Richard Jefferies, the writer. He lived at Coate, about an hour’s walk away, and often wandered in these hills. A large sarsen stone now stands here, carrying a memorial both to him and to Alfred Williams, the l9th century railwayman and poet.
Barbury Castle is reached by walking over the downs following the Ridgeway, an ancient track. The effort is worth while for the views, especially over to Liddington some 4 miles away.
- Barbury Castle Geolocation Latitude 51.485397° N Longitude -1.7863727° E
- Barbury Castle Postcode SN4 0QH
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