News from our partners: Work starts to fix the Caer Caradoc fort
News from our partners Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership
Work starts next week on ‘Fix the Fort’: repairing the ramparts of the impressive iron-age hillfort that crowns Caer Caradoc, in the heart of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Caer Caradoc gets its name from its link to the legendary warrior prince Caradoc, who rebelled against the Romans in the first century AD. Decades of wear has left its mark on the ramparts of this popular hill, which rises above Church Stretton.
Caer Caradoc paths
Nigel McDonald, sustainable tourism officer, explained:_
“The aim of the project is to improve access, whilst protecting the archaeology from further damage. Over time, erosion has caused deep V-shaped notches and a long erosion scar in the main rampart. Our ‘Fix the Fort’ appeal has helped to raise the funds needed to repair erosion on the hillfort.”
Caer Caradoc paths
With almost £4,000 donated by local people and visitors, and successful bids to HF Holidays and the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, we now have the funding in place to complete the repair work.
Nigel continued:-
“We begin work on the ground on Monday 10 October, and will have to close the public footpath from this date for six weeks while repairs are happening. We have consent from Historic England to repair the ramparts, protecting the archaeology from further erosion, whilst improving the accessibility with steps.”
A helicopter is being used to lift materials to three areas on the fort. Weather permitting, this will happen on Friday 14 October, and all access to the hill will be closed on this day while the helicopter is moving materials. Site notices will be issued, and details also posted on the ShropHillsAONB Facebook page.
Caer Caradoc paths
Once the repairs have been completed, some of the areas of work will be protected with hessian sown with grass seed mix, and stock netting. When this is removed, we hope people will chose to walk on alternative paths to allow the sward to establish itself.
Volunteer opportunities are available to work onsite and undertake archaeological investigation work with Matt Williams from Fearn Heritage on Tuesday 11 October and Saturday 15 October. Volunteers are also needed on Friday 14 October to help warden the hill whilst helicopter is in use.
Please get in touch with us if you can help on Friday 14 October, or would like to attend either or both archaeological investigation days, by emailing shropshirehillsaonb@shropshire.gov.uk or phone 01743 254740.
Further information
The Shropshire Hills is one of 39 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales. The Shropshire Hills AONB covers almost a quarter of Shropshire, extending from the Wrekin to the Clun Forest and from the Stiperstones across to the Clee Hills. It is a diverse and tranquil area, with rugged hills, rolling pastoral fields, woods and meadows, picturesque villages and historic buildings, hillforts and ancient monuments.
The designation is recognition of the national value of the Shropshire Hills landscape, and brings duties on local authorities to conserve and enhance its natural beauty. The Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership includes landowners, individuals, and representatives from organisations and local interest groups working together to conserve and enhance this special landscape, guided by a statutory Management Plan.
