Flying above White Sheet Hill

White Sheet Hill 1

Image by A R Cane

RichardZ Feb 27, 2003 23:32:24

I'm a paraglider pilot and flew White Sheet Hill last summer. Taking off at the south east end of the hill, having walked through the earthworks and ditches was incredible. When you reach a hundred feet or so, you have an amazing view of how the seemingly quite chaotic ditches are very concentric. Up on the top of the hill, probably SW of the mast, there is what looks like a boss from the sky.

The experience was amazing, and despite being a short flight it rated as one of my best of the summer. I'm looking forward to the weather picking up and flying there again, with a camera this time.

However, I know next to nothing about these forts! Having just moved to Bristol, we've done a bit of exploring and found Little Down near Lansdown race course and explored the barrow at Frocester (another flying site). I would be really grateful for any pointers to good books or places on the web to learn about the history of these forts and the people who built them.

Thanks,

Richard.

Rhiannon Feb 28, 2003 11:17:33

Replying to RichardZ

Hello Richard
I was ever so interested to hear about your gravity-defying exploits above White Sheet Hill. There was certainly enough draught up there when I visited. I was slightly concerned I was going to take off myself. It must have given you a very different impression of the place to see it mapped out below you.

It sounds a bit sad, but I have to say this website is a pretty good place to start picking up stuff about our country's prehistoric remains. There are quite of lot of people with pretty specific interests and they know a lot about their subject!

I'm sure people will be happy to rattle off a list of books. I like Ronald Hutton's book about the pagan religions of the british isles. Of course you must get your hands on Julian Cope's book! I don't know what people will suggest specifically about Iron Age forts..

Welcome to the fold anyway. You live in the same area of the country as I do so I will look forward to your contributions!

Chris Collyer Feb 28, 2003 11:53:24

Replying to RichardZ

Hi Richard,
Shirebooks used to do a good introductory book called 'Hillforts of England and Wales' by James Dyer (ISBN 0-7478-0180-0) and it was only a fiver, but I can't see it on their website anymore.
http://www.shirebooks.co.uk
You might still be able to pick up a copy somewhere though.

BTW - Is that paraglider a 2 seater? ;-)

-Chris

FourWinds Feb 28, 2003 16:36:04

Replying to RichardZ

A while back I gave Holy McGrail a book on English Hillforts (they used to be a fave of mine for a while) but I'm jiggered if I can remember what it was called. Mr McGrail!! What was it please?

PhilRogers Aug 13, 2003 11:07:41

Replying to RichardZ

http://www.bath.ac.uk/community-courses/autumn03/Comm03aut1-14.pdf

The above is a PDF of part of Bath University's Part Time Courses for Adults. See the course entitled "Fields, Forts and Farmers. The Iron Age in Western Britain". Ten Monday evenings beginning October.