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DenburyHillfort
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Visited 5.5.11 I parked on the outskirts of Denbury village, outside some houses, in Denbury Down Lane. Opposite is the track that leads directly to the Hillfort. DO NOT try to drive up this track. A lovely 10 minute walk takes you up to the Hillfort; the hedgerows full of flowers, birds singing, Denbury church bells peeling away in the distance – it felt like stepping back in time! There is public access to the site as the gate at the top of the track informs you that this is indeed Denbury Hillfort (please close the gate). On going through the gate you are immediately confronted by a large rampart – perhaps 3 metres in height. I followed the path in an anti-clockwise direction and walked the entire circumference of the Hillfort – it doesn't take long. There is a path which runs around the outer ditch and another which runs around the interior of the Hillfort. The defences to the North West are the best preserved; some as high as 5 metres. The rest of the rampart varies in height from about 2 to 6 metres in height. There are good views to be had and I would highly recommend a visit to this site when you are in the area – don't forget to check out the two Barrows – easy to spot. |
Posted by CARL 9th May 2011ce |
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Denbury Hill, or Denbury Down, has an encampment. There is also to be seen an ancient stone, with all the markings thereon, with which the Danes sharpened their weapons of war. Treasure is said to be hidden there, and these two rhymes are current:This information was taken from the Illustrated Western Weekly News, 5 August, 1911, p24, and quoted in Notes on English Folklore J. B. Partridge Folklore, Vol. 28, No. 3. (Sep. 30, 1917), pp. 311-315. |
Posted by Rhiannon16th January 2007ce |
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"'They' say that a king is buried on Denbury, and among several couplets one goes: 'Whoever delves in Denbury Down Is sure to find a golden crown'." This comes from Tristram Risdon's 'Chorographical Description.. Devon,' written in the early 17th century, and quoted in 'The Folklore of Devon' by Theo Brown, in Folklore, Vol. 75, No. 3. (Autumn, 1964), pp. 145-160. |
Posted by Rhiannon 1st October 2006ce |
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The Denbury ArchiveTake a tour of the Down (with photo of the bronze age barrows that predate the fort). |
Posted by Rhiannon 9th June 2004ce Edited 16th January 2007ce |
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