Painswick Hill camp, Ancient Iron Age partial contour fort in Painswick, England
Painswick Hill Camp, also known as Kimsbury, is a partial Iron Age fortification in the Cotswolds region of western England. The structure follows the natural contours of the hillside at an elevation of approximately 280 meters above sea level.
The fortification was built between 800 and 100 BCE and served as a defensive stronghold for Iron Age tribes in the region. Evidence shows the site remained occupied through the Roman period until at least the third century CE.
The site carries two names reflecting different periods: Painswick Hill is the modern name, while Kimsbury preserves an older local identity. These names show how successive inhabitants made their mark on this hillside.
The site is accessible on foot via marked walking paths that start from Painswick village. Informational signs along the route explain the historical features you will see as you explore the earthworks.
Today, sections of Painswick Golf Course occupy the interior of the ancient earthworks, creating an unexpected meeting between prehistoric defenses and modern leisure. This unusual overlap shows how old sites can take on completely new purposes.
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