Name: Blackbury Camp
Rating: 5.0

Blackbury Camp

Southleigh, Colyton, Devon EX24 6JE, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

This hillfort in Devon was built during the 4th century BC. It was used by an Iron Age tribal people, probably for several hundred years. Blackbury Camp had impressive ramparts, and the single entrance was protected by a large triangular earthwork or ‘barbican’. Now surrounded by woodland, the hillfort is a popular spot for picnics.

The lowland areas of Devon and Cornwall are densely scattered with Iron Age settlements. They offered richer soils than the moorland sites favoured in earlier times. Most of these Iron Age hillforts or settlements are located on hill slopes or at the end of ridges, overlooking springs or river valleys, probably for pastoral rather than defensive purposes.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Blackbury Camp, or Castle, is one of many similar sites across southern Britain dating from the period known as the Iron Age (from about 800 BC to the 1st century AD).
A favourite place for picnics, it is now hidden within woodland, which makes its appearance in the Iron Age hard to imagine.
The lowland areas of Devon and Cornwall are densely scattered with Iron Age settlements. They offered richer soils than the moorland sites favoured in earlier times. Most of these Iron Age hillforts or settlements are located on hill slopes or at the end of ridges, overlooking springs or river valleys, probably for pastoral rather than defensive purposes.
Blackbury Camp is no exception. It straddles a narrow ridge running eastwards from a plateau, near the junction of two ancient tracks. This position gave good access to valley pastures and to two nearby streams, although it was not easily fortified.
Description: The enclosure at Blackbury is oval in shape, roughly 200 metres (660 feet) long by 100 metres (330 feet) wide. Surrounding it is an impressive rampart, now about 3 metres (10 feet) high and up to 10 metres (33 feet) wide. This is built from clay and flints quarried from an outer ditch which measures up to12 metres (39 feet) wide.

Facilities

Parking: There is a small free car park at the site. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities at Blackbury Camp, however there are a selection of pubs, cafes and shops in the nearby village of Beer and nearby town of Seaton.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/blackbury-camp/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Southleigh, Colyton, Devon EX24 6JE, UK

Post Code: EX24 6JE

Council: East Devon

County: Devon

Road Access: North of the A3052 between Seaton and Sidmouth.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is the Three Horsehoes Inn, between Sidmouth and Seaton on the A3052. From the bus stop it is a 1.0 mile / 1.6 km walk to the Camp along a public bridleway (steep hill). OS Explorer Map 115 advised. Stagecoach Bus 9A provides a regular daily service to the Three Horseshoes Inn from Exeter Bus Station, Sidmouth Triangle and Seaton Sea Front.
Train Access: Honiton 6.5 miles / 10 km. Stagecoach Bus 9 runs from the Station Forecourt to Sidmouth Triangle, then Bus 9A to the Three Horeshoes Inn. Axminster 9 miles / 15 km. Axe Valley Bus 885 runs from the Station Forecourt to Seaton Sea Front, then Bus 9A to the Three Horseshoes. Exeter Central 19 miles / 31 km. Walk to Exeter Bus Station (0.6 mile / 0.9 km) to catch Bus 9A to the Three Horseshoes Inn.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a small free car park at the site. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted.