Bodbury Ring: high above the crowds, near Church Stretton, Shropshire Hills.

Описание: Travellers heading west from the metropolises of The Midlands will be forgiven for focussing their thoughts solely upon the forthcoming natural and archaeological splendours of Wales. The Citizen Cairn, however, reckons an occasional hors d'oeuvres upon The Shropshire Hills is well worth the effort..

The locale of Church Stretton - dominated by the Long Mynd - is particularly rewarding for those with a penchant for hillforts and other prehistoric sites hidden in plain sight. Consider Bodbury Hill, for example, where two ancient monuments can be visited for the price of one...

Sadly, the rather striking Carding Mill Valley, held under the vice-like grip of The National Trust, can be horrifically busy at times. However, one can avoid the plodding hordes by parking in town and approaching via The Shropshire Hills Golf Course. That'll do.

Now, I happen to concur with the anonymous wit (W.E Gladstone, perhaps?) who asserted that golf is 'a good walk spoiled'. Nevertheless, the fine promontory fort of Bodbury Ring (SO445 947) is reached without undue injury or stress. The cross bank is well-preserved and reasonably powerful, the views superb, notably featuring the massive Caer Caradoc to the east and a vertiginous panorama down into the aforementioned Carding Mill Valley. Hey, there's even a mutilated Bronze Age cairn nearby at SO4456294911.

Yeah, great as it is, Wales can wait for a while..
#ironage #bronzeage #shropshire #archaeology #hillfort