Excavations in the 1930s showed that there was activity on this land in Neolithic times but the hillfort defences are essentially Iron Age. The fort has a complex development history with additional banks and ditches allowing for an expansion in the interior.
The earliest Iron Age settlement discovered through excavations here appears to have been a fairly small enclosure, measuring 1.2ha and exploiting the natural summit of the hill. This enclosure had an entrance on the south, and probably also on the north.
Excavations have also found a number of large post-holes, probably for 'four-posters' (granaries raised off the ground on four posts to protect the grain from pests).
A number of round hut sites containing hearths and occupation debris were uncovered between the inner and outer enclosure of the fort.
Parts of the site are hidden by wood and growth but the summit is open and much of the detail can still be appreciated.
Directions: The nearest place to park is Montgomery Castle car park. For castle, turn left at Town Hall to Kerry Street. Follow road round to the right up the hill. The car park is on your right just before a farm, with the entrance through the gate east of farm. Take the lane up from the car park for 0.8km to the stile on the right beside gate. Cross stile and head up the hill.
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Tim Prevett from Cheshire
A hillfort overlooking the River Severn, and its confluence with the River Camlad. The site, excavated in 1937-39, has four phases of building identified, the first being Neolithic, with three subsequent phases of Iron Age development.
The area is of vital strategic importance, with the Roman Fort at Rhydwhyman to the north west, the Mediaeval fortifications of Hen Domen not so far to the north west, and the later 13th Century Montgomery Castle to the east.
There is parking for one car only between two gates where the footpath intersects the road. The remains of the fort become visible as soon as one enters the field to north, where a ramp leads to another stile. The ramparts to the site become visble as soon as one crosses the stile. This second stile was showing worrying signs of weakening (early June 2005), so be mindful.
The site is greatly overgrown in places, so a winter or early spring visit is best. This visit was at short notice, so a visit was better than no visit. Also be aware of the rabbit burrows which riddle the inner areas of the fort - they make for substantial tripping hazards.
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