More information : [SP 3935 1148] Camp [NR] (1)
Eynsham Park Camp.
The site situated in wooded clayland consists of two parts, named by
Cooper the Camp and the Yard.
1. The Camp. A roughly circular or sub-rectangular fort of about 3.5 acres, enclosed by univallate defences. The bank stands up to 5 ft. above the interior, and the ditch is up to 5 ft deep. The entrance is at the south-east. The whole work is covered by trees and bushes. It is definitely a defensive site and appears to be of Iron Age type. It commands its immediate approaches, save to the north where the land outside is slightly, but not seriously, higher.
In 1955 two cuttings were dug through the ditch at the north-east and
south-west, but no dating evidence was found. The existence of a
square-cut ditch of later date was discovered in the south-western
cutting. This may be connected with the yard.
2. The Yard. An enclosure of about 8 acres, adjoining the southern
side of the Camp and generally clear of trees. It consists of a bank
reaching a height of 3 ft on the eastern side, with traces of a ditch
or wide scrape outside it. There is a gap, perhaps not original,
where it should adjoin the western end of the Camp's defences, and a
bigger break in the coppice at the south. Its eastern end runs up to
a pond and thus includes the entrance of the Camp. The Yard was
certainly not intended for defence, as it is dominated by higher land, especially to the east.
The Camp and Yard may well be of different dates. Nevertheless,
enclosures adjoining or close to small hill-forts are known elswhere,
normally by cropmarks. A noteworthy example is the ditchwork
adjoining Alfred's Castle on the Berkshire Downs, though here
again contemporaneity with the fort is not proved. (2)
An IA plateau fort of impressive stature with a large stock annexe to
the south. The work is situated some 400 ft above sea level with good all round visibility save to the north where there is minor restriction. A passage entrancve on the SE face exits into the annexe. The defences are of major strength - particularly to the north where the visibility is marred. At no point is there evidence of collapse or mutilation and the whole is in excellent condition. The excavations of 1955 cannot now be identified and there is no surface indication of former internal occupation. Now tree covered and game stocked. The annex has an area of approx 10 acres and apart from slight modern agricultural mutilation is in good condition and well preserved. The perimeter consists of an earth bank only with no evidence of an accompanying ditch; there is no evidence of occupation within.
The major work and the annexe have every appearance of being
contemporary, this is particularly evident where the enclosures joins
the fort to the north of, and embracing, the passage.
Re-surveyed at 1:2500. (3)
(SP 39351145) Fort [NR] (4)
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