WELCOME TO BERRY CASTLE

Berry Castle has been covered with woodland for hundreds of years until they were cleared in July 2015.  The earliest references to the site are on old maps with the first record found on an ordnance survey map from 1809.  The earliest written records of Berry Castle are found in the Victoria County History for Devonshire (1906) where the site was described as a univallate defensive fort situated on a promontory between two streams.  The feature was strongly defended on the north side but less so on the south where topological features afforded natural protection. 

 

In modern times, Berry Castle’s isolated location within woodland helped preserve the ramparts and ditches from disturbance. During July 2015, due to concern that tree roots were damaging the archaeology, Clinton Devon Estates, Historic England and the Friends of Berry Castle collaborated in a project that resulted in the removal of the trees.  The tree clearance allowed research to take place and geophysical surveys have added to our knowledge of its construction.

 

 Clinton Devon Estates have now withdrawn the site from commercial forestry and agreed it will be managed as a woodland clearing dedicated to the preservation and display of the hillfort. Permissive access has been agreed and Clinton Devon Estates provide support and training to the Friends of Berry Castle to ensure ongoing managing work encourages soft native vegetation and wild flowers to colonise the clearing.

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Clinton Devon Estates are pleased to be working in partnership with local people from surrounding parishes and other interested parties, to rescue and secure the future of a remote and nationally important scheduled monument.

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   The Friends of Berry Castle continue to work to maintain the site for the community and as an educational resource.

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