A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE 



BLEWBURTON HILL, BLEWBURY. 



oval shape of the space within has led antiquaries to ascribe its con- 

 struction to the Danes. 



It seems, however, more probable that the steep escarpments have 

 been formed by the continued ploughing of the hill-side, causing the 



parallel benches 

 with the lynches 

 between. This 



construction is very 

 noticeable in many 

 other parts of the 

 county. There is 

 no sign of a ditch 

 around the hill, nor 

 is there any tradi- 

 tion of the former 

 existence of any 

 fosse. 1 



The hill lies 

 half in the parish 

 of Blewbury and 

 half in that of As- 

 ton Upthorpe. 



BOXFORD, BOROUGH HILL CAMP. Very little of this camp is now 

 left, so much earth having been removed at various times, and rabbit 

 burrows having disturbed the original surface of the ground. 



The camp stands on the highest point of the ridge which divides 

 the Lambourn Valley from that of the Winterbourne, and commands 

 an extensive view in every direction. By its side ran an ancient road- 

 way, presumably from Speen, which may be traced from Bagnor, past 

 the camp in the direction of Leckhampstead, fol- 

 lowing the ridge the whole way. 



In 1873 the camp measured 210 feet from 

 north to south, and 180 feet from east to west, 

 and at that time the ramparts could be traced, and 

 the ditch seen in many places. Now it is difficult 

 to make out anything with certainty. 2 



A Roman villa was discovered some years 

 back to the south of the camp, and fragments of 

 Roman tiles are ploughed up to the west of it. 



CHIEVELEY, BUSSOCK CAMP. This is situated 



at the extreme north end of Snelsmore, near Totterdown Farm. It lies 

 in the middle of a wood on the edge of a high plateau facing north and 

 west. There are said to be signs of an ancient way leading to Grims- 

 bury. 



The camp is of very irregular form, following the slope of the 

 hill on the north and west sides. Here the earthworks have to a great 



BOROUGH HILL CAMP, 

 BOXFORD. 



1 Trans. Newbury Dist. Field Club, iv. 38-9. 



254 



Ibid. ii. 61. 



