Bratton Camp

The earthwork defences of an Iron Age fort were built at Bratton Camp over 2,000 years ago.

Bratton Camp and Westbury White Horse plan © English Heritage
 The earthworks protected a settlement, containing round houses, granaries, stores and workshops. The double banks and ditches may have symbolised the dominance and power of the hillfort community and would have been formidable obstacles to enemies.

Excavations within the fort in the 18th century by Jeffrey Whitaker, a local schoolmaster, uncovered quern stones, pottery, and Roman and Saxon coins. Also found were 'nearly a cartload' of large pebbles, probably sling stones kept ready on the ramparts to throw at any attackers.

3,000 years before, a Neolithic long barrow had been built on this hill. The hillfort was preserved by the later occupants and excavations into the barrow in the 19th century revealed human skeletons and cremations.