Castle Naze

Also known as:
Castle Dykes, Comb's Moss, Combs Moss and Coombs Moss
Nearest town:
Whaley Bridge (5km WNW)
OS reference:
SK054785
OS sheet:
119
Latitude:
53° 18' 11.02 N
Longitude:
1° 55' 8.25 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The more or less impregnable natural western defences.....

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 10, 2015
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by juamei

A sneak preview of hillfortsfromsupermarketcarparks.wordpress.com. This is Castle Naze from Morrisons in Chapel en le Frith.

juamei
juamei Oct 23, 2013
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by juamei

The Combs Moss massive from ladder hill. Castle Naze is at the end of the leftmost spur.

juamei
juamei Aug 28, 2013
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

Panoramic view from the western side of the fort along Combs Edge. The icing on the cake!

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

Panorama NW to NE with possible hut circles in the foreground.

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

Hut circles picked out by a sudden burst of sunshine on the North Western edge or quarrying? I’m not sure.

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

The North Eastern side with spectacular views of Chapel-En-Le Frith (Home of Ferodo (Baggins)) and the edge of the Pennines.

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

View along the ditch between the dykes from the Western side.

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by A R Cane

One of the reasons why the northern part of the fort needed no defences! (Combs Reservoir in the distance).

Image credit: A R Cane
A R Cane
A R Cane Mar 25, 2012
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by postman

Wear and tear on the inner bank at the entrance.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 26, 2011
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Sunburst before the storm.... the ancient ramparts of Castle Naze bathed in light. As it should be.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 15, 2010
Image of Castle Naze (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The wondrous view looking south along Combs Edge from Castle Naze... beautiful and practical.. doesn’t happen very often, does it? Great walk, this.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 15, 2010

Articles

Castle Naze

postman
postman Jul 26, 2011

Best hillfort in the Peak district.

After the much further than intended walk here, past Lows Cow and Lady, the banks and ditches really took my fancy, they’re still big and impressive, full of summer flowers and soft grasses.
No early morning dew this time just hot afternoon sun and a Buzzard shrieks high above us along the cliffs.
The map makes it look like the view would be down over Doveholes but its on the other side of the hill looking over on Combs reservoir and Combs edge. I was also taken with the distant Combs edge, it looked chocolatey in the afternoon sun, and seemed to be undulating and melodious and pleasing to the eye.
A really good place to sit for a long time, but preferably without a little boy that needs another number two.

Castle Naze

juamei
juamei Oct 2, 2010

[visited 2/10/10] I can only agree with what the others say about the effort to reward ratio. Fantastic views for not that great a climb. I was surprised to only see a cross bank, the other 2 sides presumably steep enough to not need extra protection.

The cross bank defining the fort area looked denuded to my eye, presumably to obtain the stone for all the well maintained walls along the edge. Though the outer ditch was impressively deep nevertheless.

Also, I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or the climber who poked his head up at the top of his climb to find me there admiring the view.

Access is up a steep ill defined path and so not easily accessible unless in reasonable health.

Castle Naze

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 12, 2009

Couldn’t agree more.........

A fabulous, triangular promontory fort with two substantial ramparts and ditches, the outer ditch of such a depth that it makes it’s companion bank seem much taller than the inner one.

The views are great – as you would expect in The Derbyshire Peaks – and if you’re feeling up to it there’s also a superb walk along the escarpment of Combs Edge to be had, with some excellent rock scenery en route.

The fort is a short, steep climb up from the minor road from Dove Holes to Combs where there is a parking space or two. If these are occupied by climbers there’s another space near the entrance to Whitehills, a little further along .

Quality.

Castle Naze

slumpystones
slumpystones Apr 15, 2007

Made it up the hill to this fort on Friday evening, so not enough time to make the climb to the top as it was getting dark, but with some fantastic views from halfway and from the quarry side, it was well worth it.

Castle Naze

stubob
stubob Sep 19, 2002

This Iron Age hill fort isn’t far from the Bull Ring in DoveHoles and it’s definitely worth seeing.
After passing DoveHoles Railway Station there’s a single track turn on the left. After a couple of miles there’s a  tall Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish sign, and room for a car. From here it’s a short steep climb up to the fort.
The ramparts and ditch are very impressive and the views are unbelievable. An Iron Age fort it underwent several changes to the fortifications and the stonework in the ramparts is still visible in parts. What a place....

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