| Summary : Multivallate hillfort enclosing an area of six acres, despite modern landscaping, there appears to have been at least three concentric banks and ditches on the west and north sides. On the south there are now no signs of artificial defences, the steep slopes being perhaps regarded as adequate protection. Excavations have located extensive Iron Age occupation. The finds are present in Bristol City Museum. A sham castle (folly) was constructed on the hillfort by Thomas Farr who bought the Blaise estate in 1762, he had extensive investments in the slave trade. It is said that he built the £3,000 folly (about £150,000 today) so that he could view his ships sailing back up the River Avon to Bristol from it. |
More information : (ST 55807835) Camp (NR). (1)
A multivallate hillfort on Blaise Castle hill enclosing about
6 acres, may earlier have been called Henbury, the name now
bourne by the village to the north-east. Earthworks on the
north and west slopes of the hill have been considerably
levelled and altered by landscaping in the 18th cent, although
dry-stone-walling can still be seen in places. (Playne believed
the only artificial defence to be a bank a short way down the
hill-side on the NE, though Baker earlier recorded "at least
two banks and ditches" on all sides except the south).
Excavations in 1957 to determine the extent of Roman and
medieval occupation of the hill (see ST 57 NE 3) revealed
intensive Iron Age B occupation. Two La Tene I brooches and a
large number of sherds belonging to the South-Western Iron Age
B culture were recovered from five rubbish-pits. Finds are in
Bristol City Museum. (2-5)
Despite the modern landscaping there appears to have been at
least three concentric banks and ditches on the west and north
sides. On the south there are now no signs of artificial
defences, the steep slopes being perhaps regarded as adequate
protection.
On the east side a low, much spread bank runs north-south
across the summit about 20m west of the break of slope, and
there is a possible entrance in the centre. A second entrance
gap, compising a deeply cut quarried track, is present at the
south-west corner. Visited 8th February 1973. (6)
Blaise Castle at Henbury, north Bristol, was a folly, built to enhance the view by Thomas Farr who bought the Blaise estate in 1762. Farr had extensive investments in the slave trade. It is said that he built the £3,000 folly (about £150,000 today) so that he could view his ships sailing back up the River Avon to Bristol from it. (8)
ST 55887838: Extensive C1-C4 occupation within Iron Age hillfort, Numerous coins found in 1707, 1766-8, and 1819. Excavations by
P.Rahtz, 1957. (7)
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