Thurba Camp

Nearest town:
Burry Port (14km N)
OS reference:
SS42148704
OS sheet:
159
Latitude:
51° 33' 34.52 N
Longitude:
4° 16' 39.18 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The Mam C and I counted 3 cross-ramparts.... but then our Maths was never the best. This is but one.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 28, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Looking eastward along the coast toward the famous Paviland Cave in the far distance (I think).

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 28, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Across Mewslade Bay approaching from the west Note that one must lose a lot of height... and quickly regain it.... if following the cliff line! The ‘fort occupies the central ‘table’ part of the ridge.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 28, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

We came across this wide circular feature to the east of Thurba Camp. There’s nothing on Coflien or Archwilio.

Image credit: A. Brookes (4.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 6, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The tip of the promontory from the inner bank. G/F provides scale.

Image credit: A. Brookes (4.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 6, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

Looking down into Mewslade, the valley to the west of the fort. Rhossili Down rises beyond.

Image credit: A. Brookes (4.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 6, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

Not the easiest means of approach. The fort occupies the cliff top.

Image credit: A. Brookes (4.4.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 6, 2015
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

The outer rampart seen from outside the fort. The end of the middle rampart can be seen far left.

Image credit: A. Brookes (27.4.2013)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat May 14, 2013
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The Mam C emphasises the extent of the settlement area perched upon another cross bank.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Mar 6, 2013
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Much more substantial defences than nearby Lewes Castle.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Mar 6, 2013
Image of Thurba Camp (Cliff Fort) by thesweetcheat

A recent fire has burnt the gorse back from the outer bank, exposing some of the stonework. Looking towards Rhossili Down.

Image credit: A. Brookes (7.4.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 19, 2012

Articles

Thurba Camp

C
CARL Oct 1, 2013

Visited 30.9.13

Directions:
From the main Rhossili visitor’s car park follow the coastal path south west past the N.T. shop and coastguard station and then east towards Port Einon. You will know when you get to Thurba as there is a little N.T. sign telling you so!

The fort itself is a short distance south west of the main coastal path – on a headland.
I counted 3 defensive banks – the outer two being approximately 2m at their highest (when standing in the ditch) and the inner bank approximately 1m high.
In places you can easily see how the banks were constructed of stone

As you would expect there are great coastal views to be had.

Well worth a quick stop-off when walking the coastal path from Rhossili.

Link

Thurba Camp
Cliff Fort
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 19, 2012
Coflein

Coflein site includes several aerial photos of the fort.

Thurba Camp is a defensive complex set about a central enclosure c.50m by 40m perched on an irregular coastal promontory, defined by precipitous cliffs except where a stone-faced wall/rampart faces NE across the promontory isthmus, with two widely spaced lines of bank & ditch beyond , the outer having a c.90m frontage.
Up to seven circular structures have been noted associated with the central enclosure, although the site as a whole is obscurred by lime workings.

Sites within 20km of Thurba Camp