Old Oswestry Hillfort

A multivallate (having multiple banks and ditches) hillfort in northwestern Shropshire about a half-mile north of Oswestry. In this case, multivallate is a most appropriate description, as Old Oswestry Hillfort has no fewer than five banks and ditches pierced by entrances on the east and west.

It seems likely that the earliest hillfort here was built in the 6th century BCE, and was enclosed by only a pair of banks and ditches for defence. The area enclosed measures about 8.4 hectares (about 20 acres), while the site as a whole encompasses 40 acres.

A third ditch was added later, and outside this are a series of pits which may have been enclosures for animals, or possibly storage pits. Two very deep and steep-sided banks were added as the final phase of construction.

The earliest settlement here was likely in the Late Bronze Age, as remains of hut circles from this era have been found. The site was inhabited until the end of the Iron Age. There have been finds of Roman tile and pottery on the site, but there is no indication of a Roman settlement.

Old Oswestry Hillfort has been called the most impressive in the Welsh Borders.