📷 Photo by HelenK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A short drive from Abingdon-on-Thames, near the village of Shippon, lies an Iron Age hillfort that offers genuine insight into Britain's ancient past.
What remains today are substantial earthworks—defensive ditches and ramparts—that once protected a thriving community centuries before medieval castles came into being. The site also shows signs of Roman occupation, suggesting it held strategic value long after the conquest.
There are no standing structures to explore, but that doesn't diminish the impact of visiting. The sheer scale of the earthworks, once you're standing among them, gives you a tangible sense of how our ancestors used this landscape. Walking the contours of the ancient defenses is wonderfully atmospheric, and you can let your imagination reconstruct the busy settlement that once existed here.
It's an excellent destination for a gentle walk. The terrain is accessible enough for a leisurely stroll, and as you move through the site, the surrounding countryside helps you understand why this location was chosen for defense and habitation. It's the kind of place that rewards a slower pace and a bit of quiet reflection on the layers of human history beneath your feet. Afterwards, you can head into Abingdon itself for something to eat and drink, or push on towards Wantage if you're exploring further afield.
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