Barbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort situated in Wiltshire, England, overlooking the town of Swindon, on the north western edge of the Marlborough Downs.
Barbury Castle is one of several such hillforts found along the ancient Ridgeway route. The site has been managed as a country park by Swindon Borough Council since 1971. It is situated on Barbury Hill, a local vantage point, which, under good weather conditions, commands a view across to the Cotswolds and the River Severn.
It has two deep defensive ditches and ramparts. The Old Ridgeway runs close by and the modern Ridgeway crosses through the castle. In the surrounding area are to be found round barrows, Celtic field systems and 18th-19th Century flint workings.
Barbury Castle lies about three miles south-west of Chiseldon. From the M4 Junction 15 follow the A346 towards Marlborough until you see signs for Chiseldon. Then follow signs for Barbury Castle. From Swindon take the A4361 (Croft Road) towards Wroughton. At the junction by the Morrisons store, take the B4005 towards Chiseldon. Then follow signs towards Barbury Castle.
The site, lies within the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a car park and Toilet block.
Map Ref: SU149763 Landranger Map Number: 173
Latitude: 51.485458N Longitude: 1.786808W
More information:
The Ranger Centre
Coate Water Country Park
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6AA
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 01793 490150
More information: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/ancientbritain/barbury_castle.htm
Walk Information: http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/dbimgs/15682%20Walk%201%20Amended%20October%202011.pdf