Norton Camp is the Hillfort 294 metres above Craven Arms. It has a commanding position over the Onny Valley.
This is one of the larger hillforts in Shropshire at about 17 acres. Within the interior of Norton Camp is a spring.
There were seven circular huts in the Northwestern part of the fort and it is thought that there was permanent community.
The Ramparts of Norton Camp are up to 4metres high in places and have probably kept there height because they are largely over grown with trees and shrubs which have protected them from weathering.
In the Northwest corner there is only one rampart as the hillside falls away steeply behind it. The rest of the fort has two massive banks and ditches going round it. On the South West there are two smaller outer banks. The entrance is on the Eastern side.
The stone and rocks used in the construction of Norton Camp ramparts contain shell fossils.
Norton Camp is a Scheduled Monument and one of 32 protected Hillforts in Shropshire. There are over Sixty altogether.
The interior is now used as arable farm land and in winter the pheasants can be found feeding round the edges.
It is well worth the walk up. It you walk past the entrance there are stunning views down towards Ludlow.
The image in the header of this blog post is from the OS Maps app and their Crown copyright and database rights are acknowledged.
The image provides a 3D panorama looking south and with Whettleton Hill and Norton Camp on the left (east) and Craven Arms on the right.
