Maiden Castle, Iron Age fort in Bickerton, England
Maiden Castle is an Iron Age fort built on a sandstone ridge in Cheshire, sitting at 212 meters elevation. The structure consists of two parallel defensive banks that exploit the natural steep slopes of the hilltop.
The fort was built during the Iron Age as a hilltop settlement and defensive stronghold for local communities. Excavations in the 1930s revealed pottery and construction details that showed how long the site remained in use.
The name comes from a local legend about a young woman connected to this hilltop settlement. Visitors walking around the earthworks today can sense how Iron Age communities chose and shaped this dramatic location.
The site is best visited on foot using marked walking trails from nearby parking areas and following the Sandstone Trail. The path crosses open countryside, so visitors should check weather conditions before heading out.
The two defensive banks were built using different construction methods that changed over time. The inner rampart uses dry stone walling reinforced with timber, while the outer bank developed from a timber palisade that was later strengthened with stone.
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