A Guide to Hillforts of Britain, An Aerial View by Nicholas Sharpe is a new study that explores the history and significance of hillforts in Britain, with a particular focus on the Iron Age Dobunni tribe. Featuring over 150 stunning color aerial photographs, the book offers a unique and visually engaging perspective on these ancient sites. Through analysis of the local topography and the strategic placement of hillforts, Sharpe reconstructs the territorial boundaries of the Dobunni tribe. In addition to its scholarly value, the book also serves as a practical guide for tourists, hikers, and anyone interested in exploring these remarkable historical locations.
Publisher: Pen and Sword Books
Publication date: July 2025
Language: English
Pages: 248
ISBN: 9781036115531
Hillforts in modern-day Britain often, though not always, occupy isolated and windswept locations on the fringes of contemporary society. For the Iron Age tribes who lived during that turbulent period 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, hillforts—or defended settlements—were built for a variety of reasons. They served as symbols of wealth and power for local chiefs and warlords, as places of refuge for the surrounding population in times of conflict, and as communal gathering points for trade, markets, and religious festivals.
With the advent of aerial drone photography, these once-obscure sites are now brought vividly to life from above, offering a spectacular and unparalleled view of the landscape and the structures within it. The Iron Age Dobunni tribe inhabited what are now the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire in the centuries leading up to the Roman invasion of CE 43.
This new, fully illustrated study explores the various types, classifications, and construction methods of hillforts, with aerial photographs vividly highlighting their differences. It also addresses key questions about the Dobunni: Who were they? Where did they come from? What was their social structure, and what did they believe?
The book presents a compelling thesis that uses local topography and hillfort locations to define the frontiers of the Dobunni tribal area. Each county is given its own chapter, with individual hillforts discussed in terms of their location, structure, classification, associated myths, and archaeological findings. For each site, practical information is included: what3words parking coordinates, six-figure Ordnance Survey map references, the walking distance in kilometers, and a difficulty rating for the walk. This combination of historical depth and practical guidance makes the book essential reading for historians, walkers, and aerial photography enthusiasts alike.
Author
Nicholas Sharpe is a retired firefighter and ex Royal Marine Commando who has spent two years visiting, researching and photographing these sites as a keen amateur historian.