Croft Ambrey Hillfort

The earthworks of Croft Ambrey hillfort in Herefordshire, were surveyed in the winter and spring of 2007 at the invitation of the National Trust, the site owners, and Herefordshire County Council. This well known site was excavated between 1960 and 1966 by S Stanford, who showed that there had been a considerable Iron Age and Roman presence and he came to the view that much of the interior was occupied by Iron Age huts. Survey of the north-eastern hill slope in progress 

While Stanford demonstrated that great intricacy existed in the buried archaeology, it is evident that similar complexity exists among the surface remains. The study by EH aimed to unravel this, elucidate the nature of the earthworks and set them within an appropriate spatial and chronological context . The earthworks comprise two partial circuits of double ditches and banks, or bivallate ramparts. These are closed by a series of ledges on the steep north northwest face of the hillslope to form two concentric enclosures. A reasonable number of circular building stances of probable Iron Age date can still be identified and the ledges on the northwest slope are probably contemporary with these.

While the inner circuit is believed to be of Iron Age construction, the survey suggests that the outer may be the result of medieval or later imparkment. Incorporation of the site into the landscape park of Croft Castle had a further impact on the earlier earthworks with the construction of features such as vista platforms and the planting of trees. Rectangular building platforms set within the inner circuit are likely to be medieval, perhaps associated with the park or management of the several pillow mounds which lie on the lower hill slopes. The blocked north-east entrance 

Both of the hillfort's entrances were modified and rendered unusual by later use of the site. The blocked example to the north was accessed from a long channelled trackway, while the southernmost, originally accessed from along the escarpment edge, was subsequently closed off by the outer enclosure.

A report on this survey has been completed and will soon be available. If you would like further information contact David Field at EH's Swindon office: david.field@english-heritage.org.uk or telephone (01793) 414901.