Castle Ring
Encyclopedia
Castle Ring is an Iron Age
hill fort
, situated high up on the southern edge of Cannock Chase
, Staffordshire
, in the village of Cannock Wood
, England. Castle Ring was thought to have been occupied around AD 50, by the Celtic Cornovii tribe.
Apart from the perimeter earthworks, little remains visible. However, there is also evidence of farming having taken place at some point, since parts of the ground in the ring have been ploughed but there is still some debate as to whether these were created by the Medieval hunters( who also built a hunting lodge on the ring sometime in the Medieval period - the remains of this are still visible today) or the Celtic tribe.
It is situated north of Burntwood
and adjacent to the Heart of England Way
. There are excellent views over Cannock Chase
, the Trent Valley
and Staffordshire
.
It is the highest point on Cannock Chase with an elevation of 244 metres (800 feet). It also lies on the Heart of England Way
.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hill fort
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
, situated high up on the southern edge of Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire, England. The area has been designated as the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chase gives its name to the Cannock Chase local government district....
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, in the village of Cannock Wood
Cannock Wood
Cannock Wood is a village and civil parish in the Cannock Chase District of Staffordshire, England. Situated near Cannock and Lichfield and north of Burntwood. It is approximately north of Birmingham and 14 miles north-east of Wolverhampton...
, England. Castle Ring was thought to have been occupied around AD 50, by the Celtic Cornovii tribe.
Apart from the perimeter earthworks, little remains visible. However, there is also evidence of farming having taken place at some point, since parts of the ground in the ring have been ploughed but there is still some debate as to whether these were created by the Medieval hunters( who also built a hunting lodge on the ring sometime in the Medieval period - the remains of this are still visible today) or the Celtic tribe.
It is situated north of Burntwood
Burntwood
Burntwood is a town in Staffordshire, England, lying in the Cannock Chase area approximately west of Lichfield. The town had a population of 25,674 at the time of the 2001 census and forms part of Lichfield district. The town forms one of the largest urbanised parishes in England. Samuel Johnson...
and adjacent to the Heart of England Way
Heart of England Way
The Heart of England Way is a long distance walk of around through the Midlands of England. The walk starts from Milford Common on Cannock Chase and ends at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds passing through the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.The walk provides links...
. There are excellent views over Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire, England. The area has been designated as the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chase gives its name to the Cannock Chase local government district....
, the Trent Valley
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
and Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
.
It is the highest point on Cannock Chase with an elevation of 244 metres (800 feet). It also lies on the Heart of England Way
Heart of England Way
The Heart of England Way is a long distance walk of around through the Midlands of England. The walk starts from Milford Common on Cannock Chase and ends at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds passing through the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.The walk provides links...
.
External links
- Ancient Britain - Castle Ring
- District Council Web Site
- Web site of Heart of England Way Association
- roman-britain.org page
- From 'The Gatehouse'
- From 'The Megalith Map'