Croft Ambrey

Croft Ambrey is an Iron Age hill fort occupying a raised hilltop in Herefordshire with multiple defensive rampart banks and internal ditches surrounding the settlement area. The site contains two gateway complexes with standing gateposts that once controlled access to the interior.

The site was continuously occupied from the 6th century BC until around the middle of the 1st century AD according to excavation evidence. A Romano-Celtic temple was later built on the grounds, and medieval activity added further layers to its history.

The name comes from an old local family and reflects generations of people who made this hilltop their home. Walking through the site reveals layers of occupation, each leaving its own mark on the landscape.

The site sits next to Croft Castle, a National Trust property, and is accessible via the Mortimer Trail footpath that passes nearby. The elevated position means you will encounter uneven ground and steeper sections, so wear suitable walking shoes.

The hilltop also contains a medieval rabbit warren with several earthen mounds built for breeding rabbits. This unexpected mixture of ancient fortification and later agricultural use is an unusual combination to find in one place.