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Stonehenge Sacred Symbolism - Ancient Beliefs in Britain and Northern Europe

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Athelney - Hillfort in England in Somerset

Submitted by mattimpey on Tuesday, 15 September 2009  Page Views: 17860

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Athelney Alternative Name: Island of Athelney, Isle of Athelney, Athelney Hil
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 1.07 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Somerset Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Bridgwater  Nearest Village: Stoke St. Gregory
Map Ref: ST344293
Latitude: 51.059275N  Longitude: 2.937429W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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Athelney
Athelney submitted by mattimpey : In 878 King Alfred (he who burnt the cakes) built a small strong hold on Altheney to defend against a Danish Pagans. A monument was erected in 1801 to commemorate this. The Hillfort is a small hill on the Somerset plains. (Vote or comment on this photo)
The Isle of Athelney is the lowest known Hillfort in the United Kingdom. There is evidence of Iron Age and Bronze age occupation, as well as it being the place famous for King Alfred's stand against the Viking invaders (and the legend of burning his cakes).
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Athelney
Athelney submitted by mattimpey : The information board states that the hillfort at Athelney is the lowest known in England. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Athelney
Athelney submitted by mattimpey : The Hillfort at Athelney would have been just above the water line on the somerset plains. The monks drained the plains in Medieval times. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Athelney
Athelney submitted by Bladup : Lidar image of Athelney Source: Lidar Finder (Vote or comment on this photo)

Athelney
Athelney submitted by mattimpey : Very little earthworks remains. Access to the Hillfort and King Alfred's monument can be made by parking near the canal bridge and following the signposts. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Athelney
Athelney submitted by mattimpey : An information board at the site states that the Isle of Athelney is the lowest known Hillfort in the United Kingdom. A monument to King Alfred's stand against the Danish Pagans can be seen in the photo on top of the very small hill.

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 1.6km NE 49° Burrow Mump* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (ST3559930300)
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"Athelney" | Login/Create an Account | 2 News and Comments
  
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Athelney by Anonymous on Wednesday, 27 January 2021
Athelney was the subject of both the first ever episode of "Time Team" in 1994 and the hundredth episode in 2003. To give thanks for his victory over the Vikings, Alfred the Great had a small abbey built here, which survived until the dissolution of the monasteries.
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Street View by coldrum on Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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