Featured: Lost Secrets - an adventure during Neolithic times

Lost Secrets - an adventure during Neolithic times

Random Image


Raisaburgh

A New Dimension to Ancient Measures - from many years of research and fieldwork

A New Dimension to Ancient Measures - from many years of research and fieldwork

Who's Online

There are currently, 306 guests and 1 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Clifton Down Camp - Hillfort in England in Gloucestershire

Submitted by TheCaptain on Thursday, 27 October 2022  Page Views: 21451

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Clifton Down Camp
Country: England County: Gloucestershire Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Bristol  Nearest Village: Clifton
Map Ref: ST56587329  Landranger Map Number: 172
Latitude: 51.456913N  Longitude: 2.626319W
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
4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 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
5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

Ogham visited on 10th Oct 2021 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

coin visited on 19th Apr 2015 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 2 Access: 5

NorthernerInLondon visited - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 4

Tomleecee TheCaptain hevveh have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 2.33 Ambience: 3.33 Access: 4.33

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by camperman : Aerial view from the East showing the natural defence provided by the Avon Gorge. (Vote or comment on this photo)
An Iron Age hillfort on the eastern side of the sheer Avon Gorge, just to the north of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and now a part of the splendid Clifton Downs parkland. Approximately circular, double ditches and banks run around in a clockwise direction from the northwest to the southeast, with the earthen ramparts now covered in dense tree growth. The southwestern side needs no defending, being on top of a 200 feet sheer cliff. The central area of the fort is grassed over and a splendid place for a picnic, in the middle of which is the Clifton Observatory, with its Camera Obscura, and the tunnel down into the cave which opens out into the sheer rock face of the Avon Gorge partway down to the river.

Just across the other side of the Avon Gorge are two further iron age forts, at Stokeleigh and Burwalls, both now completely wooded over.

It is not really known whether these forts were complimentary to each other guarding a river crossing in the gorge below, or whether they were rivals, with the river Avon forming a natural tribal boundary.
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by camperman : Clifton Camp from the North West. The banks and ditches follow the circular line of trees. The Avon Gorge as a back drop. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by camperman : The footpath follows the ditch between the inner and outer banks. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by camperman : The inner rampart is still intact and visible in places. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by camperman : Aerial view from the South West taken above Stokeleigh Camp looking across the Avon Gorge towards Clifton Camp. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : Good News! The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort. This has opened up some magnificent views previously blocked by trees, northwards along the Avon gorge with the river in the bottom, and indeed while I was here I saw the Matthew returning up the river to Bristol after its recent stormy trip from a festival in Brittany.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored on the northeastern side.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored on the northeastern side.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored. Northern ramparts; compare to less than a year ago.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored. Northwestern entrance path.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored. Northwestern entrance path; compare to less than a year ago.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored. This is the northern entrance

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain : The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and also added several information boards.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by theCaptain

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : Clifton Down Camp seen here across the Avon Gorge from its neighbour Stokeleigh Camp. (1 comment)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : Plan of Clifton Camp from Notes on the Clifton, Burwalls and Stokeleigh Camps by Professor C. Lloyd Morgan, Clifton Antiquarian Club 1900.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : view towards the south over the river Avon from the southwest edge of the fort. It needs no defensive ramparts on this side!

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : panoramic view across the southern edge of the fort, looking here towards the southwest from the eastern entrance of the fort.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : view of the ramparts beside the eastern entrance

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : panoramic view across the centre of the hillfort, looking here towards the east from the northwest of the fort. (2 comments)

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : panoramic view across the centre of the hillfort, looking here towards the north from the southwest of the fort.

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain : Remains of the ramparts at the northwestern side

Clifton Down Camp
Clifton Down Camp submitted by TheCaptain

These are just the first 25 photos of Clifton Down Camp. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 477m SW 232° Burwalls Camp* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (ST562730)
 578m W 270° Stokeleigh Camp* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (ST560733)
 1.5km E 93° Bristol City Museum* Museum (ST58057321)
 2.1km NE 39° Redland Park* Standing Stone (Menhir) (ST57947492)
 2.2km WNW 288° Abbots Leigh Churchyard Cross* Ancient Cross (ST5445274007)
 2.7km SSW 206° Long Ashton Cross* Ancient Cross (ST5539070910)
 2.9km N 350° Druid Stoke* Chambered Tomb (ST56107620)
 3.3km W 266° Snake's Well and Spring* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST53287308)
 3.7km E 81° Armoury Square Standing Stone (Menhir) (ST60287386)
 4.7km WSW 253° Wraxall Camp* Ancient Village or Settlement (ST52057193)
 4.8km NNE 16° Southmead Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (ST5794477902)
 4.9km NNW 342° King's Weston Hill barrow cemetary* Barrow Cemetery (ST55127793)
 4.9km NNW 346° King's Weston Hill stockpound* Misc. Earthwork (ST55417807)
 4.9km NNW 348° King's Weston Hillfort* Hillfort (ST55597813)
 5.1km N 351° Blaise Castle* Hillfort (ST55857837)
 5.6km E 97° St Ann's Well (Brislington)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST6217472515)
 5.8km SW 215° Fairy Well (Barrow Gurney) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST532686)
 6.2km NE 49° Stoke Park Long Barrow* Long Barrow (ST6132077294)
 6.6km WNW 288° Portbury* Standing Stone (Menhir) (ST50277538)
 6.9km WNW 285° Conygar Hillfort Hillfort (ST49897509)
 6.9km S 171° Dundry Long Barrow* Long Barrow (ST57606645)
 7.1km SW 236° Flax Bourton Ancient Cross* Ancient Cross (ST5066269369)
 7.6km ENE 61° Oldbury Court Camp Ancient Village or Settlement (ST633769)
 7.7km W 259° Wraxhall Churchyard Cross* Ancient Cross (ST4902371945)
 8.0km SSE 154° Maes Knoll* Hillfort (ST600660)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Finnarts Hill Enclosure

Trosteberget Hillfort >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Darvill

Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Darvill

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Clifton Down Camp" | Login/Create an Account | 7 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Re: Clifton Down Camp by Anonymous on Friday, 29 April 2016
Excellent news. I had no idea this camp existed! Another excuse for an adventure
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Clifton Down Camp by TheCaptain on Thursday, 23 May 2013
(User Info | Send a Message)
Good News! The council has now significantly tidied up the northern part of the fort, and the three rings of defensive ramparts can now clearly be seen and explored. This has also opened up some magnificent views previously blocked by trees, northwards along the Avon gorge with the river in the bottom, and indeed while I was here I saw the Matthew returning up the river to Bristol after its recent stormy trip to a festival in Brittany.

The council have also added several information boards, and will be opening up more and more of the fort over the forthcoming years. Excellent, I will increase the condition rating to a 4 now.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Clifton Down Camp by DougJ on Wednesday, 09 October 2019
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    I went there yesterday and it is looking great, with lots more detailed information dotted around.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Clifton Down Camp by TheCaptain on Saturday, 20 April 2013
(User Info | Send a Message)
Driving the scenic way back from football, and noticed that the council have done a major clear up of the hillfort and its ramparts. Obviously one to pay another proper visit to sometime.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Clifton Down Camp by TheCaptain on Thursday, 15 September 2011
(User Info | Send a Message)
Streetview of Clifton Down Camp looking up from River Avon below.


View Larger Map
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Clifton Down Camp by Anonymous on Sunday, 21 August 2011
Not much left to see of this hillfort but an amazing position - really spectacular. I go there everytime I'm in Bristol.

Thanks for giving this stunning place some publicity (in the heart of a city too).

tjj
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Clifton Down Camp by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 17 August 2011
(User Info | Send a Message)
streetview towards Clifton Down Camp from the "Spenshun Bridge"


View Larger Map
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.