Cadbury Castle

The hillfort is formed by an 18 acre hilltop plateau surrounded by ramparts on the surrounding slopes of Cadbury Hill.

There is evidence of agricultural occupation on the site dating back to the neolithic period. In 300 BC ploughing ceased on the hilltop as a stone built enclosure was built. In the 1st century BC the site became a bona fide castle with the addition of defensive ditches and banks. The Romans gained control later and made adaptions to the fort. After the demise of the Romans the fort was in use up to around the end of the sixth century and was repurposed in 1010 as a temporary Saxon mint. In 1086 the castle was part of the feudal barony of North Cadbury held by Turstin FitzRolf and in the 13th century the castle may have been used as a small-scale fortification.

King Arthur

Of all the characters in English folklore and Welsh mythology, King Arthur has to be the most famous, the most debated and the most prevalent in literature and the arts. Scholars argue over whether Arthur was a genuine historical figure - many beleiving him to be a Romano-British leader who fought against the invading Anglo-Saxons some time in the late 5th to early 6th century. There are a number of places in Britain which claim to be the enigmatic Camelot—the castle of King Arthur associated with his court. Cadbury Castle is a real contender to hold that title.

Address: Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7HA

Email: Send email (Visit Somerset)

Directions from A303: Take the exit towards Yarlington/South Cadbury/North Cadbury from A303. Take Chapel Road to Castle Lane.

Parking: There is a small public car park on the southern edge of South Cadbury village, almost opposite the path to the hillfort.

Admission times: 24 hours

Admission charge: None

Toilets: No

Refreshments: No