Elworthy Barrows, hillfort in Somerset
Elworthy Barrows is a partial contour fort in Somerset made up of earth banks and ditches forming an oval shape. The structures show unfinished work, with the north side featuring a broad flat area between two earth mounds, while the west side displays clearer sections with ramparts about 3 meters (10 feet) high and wide ditches about 10 meters (33 feet) across.
The site was likely begun in the Iron Age, possibly between 500 and 100 BC, but was never fully completed. In the 1800s, it was enclosed for protection, and in the 1940s ploughing revealed early artifacts like arrowheads and stone flakes suggesting earlier use. It was officially protected as a scheduled monument in 2002.
The name Elworthy comes from Anglo-Saxon roots and refers to the site's location in the landscape. Today, it serves as a quiet place where people can pause and think about the communities who once used this land for protection or gathering.
The site is accessible on foot without restrictions, requiring no entry fees or special permissions. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven, and know that there are no facilities like cafes or visitor centers on site.
A polished stone axe found at the site hints at very early human settlement that may predate the Iron Age fortification itself. This artifact shows that people used this location across many thousands of years.
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