Old Oswestry Hillfort
History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation
It seems likely that the earliest hillfort here was built in the 6th century BCE, and was enclosed by only a pair of banks and ditches for defence. The area enclosed measures about 8.4 hectares (about 20 acres), while the site as a whole encompasses 40 acres.
A third ditch was added later, and outside this are a series of pits which may have been enclosures for animals, or possibly storage pits. Two very deep and steep-sided banks were added as the final phase of construction.
The earliest settlement here was likely in the Late Bronze Age, as remains of hut circles from this era have been found. The site was inhabited until the end of the Iron Age. There have been finds of Roman tile and pottery on the site, but there is no indication of a Roman settlement.
Old Oswestry Hillfort has been called the most impressive in the Welsh Borders.
About Old Oswestry Hillfort
Address: Oswestry, Shropshire, England, SY11 1HT
Attraction Type: Prehistoric Site
Location: On a minor road half mile north of Oswestry, off the B4069. Open access site.
Website: Old Oswestry Hillfort
English Heritage - see also: English Heritage memberships (official website)
Photo Credit: Oswestry Borderland Tourism, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Historic Time Periods:
Find other attractions tagged with:
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low-exceptional) on historic interest
Whittington Castle - 2 miles (Castle)
Brynkinalt - 4.3 miles (Historic House)
Chirk Castle - 5.1 miles (Castle)
Carreghoffa Castle - 5.9 miles (Castle)
Llangadwaladr, St Cadwaladr's Church - 7 miles (Historic Church)
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - 7.1 miles (Historic Building)
Plas Newydd, Llangollen - 8.1 miles (Historic House)
Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain Roman Fort - 8.1 miles (Roman Site)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Old Oswestry Hillfort: