Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hinton Hill fort is also known as Dyrham (or Burrill) Camp. In
AD
577 an historic and
decisive battle was fought here between the Saxons and the ancient Britons. The out-
come gave control of Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath to the Saxons, with the Britons
being driven back to Wales and Somerset. An Anglo-Saxon chronicle records the event
in concise terms:
Cuthwine and Cealwin fought against the Brytwalas. They slew three kings, Coin-
mail, Condidan and Farinmail, at the place called Dyrham, and captured three cit-
ies, Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath.
In many ways this battle set the course of English history by re-drawing political and
cultural boundaries.
Having wandered round the outside of Dyrham Park, pass through a
metal field gate onto a sunken track which takes you down to the modest
little village of Dyrham itself, with its mellow stone cottages and bower of
trees. Turn left along the village street, passing the entrance to the 13th-
century St Peter's Church on your left, closely followed by a set of gates
through which can be seen the west side of Dyrham House.
Dyrham House, an imposing mansion now cared for by the National Trust
Shortly after passing the gates you come to a minor road junction. Bear
left to rise out of the village, and when you come to the village sign leave
the road and head to the right on a signed footpath (Pennsylvania 1½,
Cold Ashton 2¼). Walk ahead along the right-hand boundary of a field, go
through a kissing gate into a narrow, treecrowded corner, and then into
the meadow beyond.
Maintain direction across the meadow, and through another kissing gate
pass alongside a pond, then rise through the centre of a field. Over the
