Strolling the Ancient Hillforts of Southern England

Long before castles and cathedrals, people in southern England built massive earth ramparts on hilltops. These Iron Age hillforts still shape the landscape today – grassy rings with sweeping views, perfect for a walk, a picnic and a lesson in prehistory. Here are eight of the best.

The hillforts

1. Maiden Castle, Dorset

One of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe, just outside Dorchester. Its huge multiple ramparts are breathtaking from above and impressive to walk around. Free to visit, managed by English Heritage.

Huge grassy ramparts rise and fall like giant waves, sheep graze on the banks and the wind sweeps across the top – the scale is astonishing.

2. Old Sarum, Wiltshire

The original site of Salisbury, Old Sarum began as an Iron Age hillfort and later held a Norman castle and cathedral. Explore the ruins, then see the current Salisbury Cathedral below. Combine with Stonehenge.

Inside the earthworks, the ruins of a castle and a cathedral stand on the hill, with views to Salisbury Cathedral's spire.

3. Uffington Castle and the White Horse, Oxfordshire

On the Ridgeway, England's oldest road, Uffington Castle sits above the Uffington White Horse, a chalk figure around 3,000 years old. The National Trust site includes Dragon Hill and dramatic dry valleys.

The chalk horse gallops across the hillside, and from the ramparts above, the Vale of the White Horse spreads out below.

4. Cadbury Castle, Somerset

A multi-ramparted hillfort long linked by legend to King Arthur's Camelot. The short, steep climb from South Cadbury village rewards you with views across the Somerset Levels.

Said to be King Arthur's Camelot – climb the steep path through the woods to the wide, windy summit.

5. Cissbury Ring, West Sussex

The largest hillfort in Sussex, on the South Downs above Worthing. Look for hollows left by Neolithic flint mines, even older than the fort.

Wild flowers and butterflies cover the ramparts in summer, with views over the South Downs to the sea.

6. Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill, Dorset

Two neighbouring hillforts with dramatic ramparts and wildflowers in summer. Hod Hill also has remains of a Roman fort built in one corner.

Rings of ramparts wrap around the hill, with orchids in spring and views across the Dorset countryside.

7. Badbury Rings, Dorset

A tree-crowned hillfort on the National Trust's Kingston Lacy estate, with an avenue of beech trees and easy walking.

Three rings of ramparts surrounded by beech trees, with skylarks singing overhead.

8. Danebury, Hampshire

A well-studied hillfort with a nature reserve; finds from the excavations are displayed at the Museum of the Iron Age in Andover.

A quiet, wooded hillfort with ramparts and views across the chalk downs.

Tips for hillfort walks

• Wear sturdy shoes – ramparts are steep and slippery after rain.
• Respect the monuments: don't climb on fragile earthworks where signs ask you not to, and keep dogs on leads near livestock.
• Best time: spring and early summer for wildflowers; clear autumn days for views.
• Combine with towns: Dorchester, Salisbury, Bath and the Cotswolds make great bases – see our Bath guide.
• More family ideas: see our Easter days out.