Visited March 2025
| Location | Tickenham, North Somerset |
| Entrance Fee | No |
| Railway Station Nearby | No |
| Parking | Yes- Tickenham Village Hall |
| Facilities | None |
We visited Cadbury Camp, an ancient hillfort, on a beautiful sunny morning in March. The climb up to the top is via a path which isn't too challenging, but gets your blood flowing, so consequently we became very hot on the way up- until we reached the summit and suddenly were hit by an icy cold wind. So our best tip for visiting this site- is to come prepared to be both warm and cold at the same time, as there seems to be a micro climate at the top which may be at odds with what is happening below.
Review
We parked in the car park of Tickenham Village hall, from here there is easy accesss to the path up to the top of the hill. The route up is full of variety- at the beginning it is narrow with fences on both sides but as you rise up past the houses and garden behind the car park the path widens and there is more of a variety of flora to each side- the yellow broom was especially pretty and in bloom when we vsitied.
Once at the top there are views over North Somerset, and the fort itself has many ramparts, still in existence after all this time. It was thought to have originally built by the Dubonni tribe, but its name means the Fort of Cador, who was thought to be a 5th century tribal leader who presided over lands in Somerset.
The fort would have been used as protection during conflicts, but also a place to hold markets. There were farmsteads dotted around the lower ramparts, which would have grazed sheep and cows in the surrounding fields. It was thought to have still been in use in the Roman times, as finds of pottery and coins backs this up. It was also used as a searchlight position in WW2, due to its elevated nature.
There is nothing at all at the top except good old fashioned fresh air, and the amazing ramparts which are approx. 14 M apart. The site stretches over 7 acres in total, so there is enough room to spread out, and to enjoy the ancient site with its many phases of history.
There are no facilities at the fort, but plenty in nearby Nailsea once you have descended back down the path. It is a pretty good fair-weather walk with much history once you are at the top!
More info: National Trust Cadbury Camp
