Oliver's Castle

Oliver's Castle. Photo: AFCG, August 2001

This hill is a few miles West of All Cannings (a 10-minute drive) overlooking Devizes at the western end of the Marlborough Downs escarpment. The views West towards the Cotswolds and Mendips are stunning, especially on a sunny evening. But it can also be grand fun when the wind is blowing - and the steep sides of the hill make for good 'card-boarding' when the grass is dry.

The name comes from the Battle of Roundway, fought in the Civil War on the plateau to the East - presumably Cromwell's Roundheads were based in this large Iron Age camp - which has impressive earthworks all the way round.

Trees at Oliver's Castle. Photo: AFCG, Nov 2000