Bratton Camp Iron Age hillfort, the Westbury White Horse, barrows and trackways on Bratton Down

Scheduled area

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History & significance

Bratton Camp is a large Iron Age hillfort located on Bratton Down near Westbury in Wiltshire, England. The fort occupies a prominent hilltop position and is defined by multiple banks and ditches following the contours of the chalk downland, with the innermost defences enclosing an area of approximately three hectares. The site dates principally to the Iron Age, though occupation and activity in the surrounding landscape extends across multiple periods, including Bronze Age barrows and medieval or later trackways that cross the down. The hillfort is closely associated with the Westbury White Horse, a chalk figure carved into the steep downland slope, which, despite popular attribution to Iron Age origins, dates in its current form to the late seventeenth century or later, though it may replace an earlier design. The wider archaeological landscape of Bratton Down contains numerous Bronze Age burial mounds and ancient communication routes that reflect sustained human activity and use of this commanding chalk ridge over many centuries.

Bratton Camp Iron Age hillfort, the Westbury White Horse, barrows and trackways on Bratton Down is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1013399. View the official record →

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