Clearbury Ring

The univallate Iron Age hillfort of Clearbury Ring crowns a high point overlooking the Avon Valley between Downton and Salisbury, commanding wide ranging views in all directions; seen from a distance you'd not know there were any ancient fortifications there, for so heavily wooded are they that they appear as just another clump of woodland, of the type common in these parts. Although private land, if you push through the undergrowth or cross the barbed wire fence, which is easy enough, you'll soon find yourself wandering within the hillforts shady bounds; I understand it's private land, I respect that and act with due care and consideration, not entering the central area where pheasants are being reared; but it's also our shared heritage of which these landowners are merely custodians, I think as long as people act with respect they should be allowed to visit any heritage sites. Once inside we scale the rampart, which still retains a good height for the most part, once on top we follow the narrow path which circumnavigates the fort. The dappled sunshine through the gently swaying boughs cast a ever changing patterns of light and dark; as if a mirror ball hung high above us. The woodland is lovely today; as we walk I wonder about those folk who threw this site up all those years ago, the landscape they knew is long gone, altered by centuries of agriculture; although, I'm sure the Iron Age occupants would still recognize many of the prominent landmarks.