Midsummer Hill

Midsummer Hill is situated in the range of Malvern Hills that runs approximately 13 kilometres (8 mi) north-south along the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border. It lies to the south of Herefordshire Beacon with views to Eastnor Castle.^[1] It has an elevation of 284 metres (932 ft). To the north is Swinyard Hill. It is the site of an Iron Age hill fort which spans Midsummer Hill and Hollybush Hill. The hillfort is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is owned by Natural England. It can be accessed via a footpath which leads south from the car park at British Camp on the A449 or a footpath which heads north from the car park in Hollybush on the A438.^[2]

North gate, Midsummer Hill

Midsummer Hill
Midsummer Hill from Ragged Stone Hill
Highest point
Elevation	284 m (932 ft)
Geography
Location	Malvern Hills, England
OS grid	SO760375
Topo map	OS Landranger 150
Geology
Rock age	Pre-Cambrian
Mountain type(s)	Igneous, Metamorphic
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking

Midsummer Hill Camp

The hillfort is very unusual in that the ramparts enclose two hills and the intervening valley. Bowden speculates that the spring within the valley "enhance[s] the position of the hillfort as a site of symbolic value".^[3]

Pillow Mound, Hollybush Hill

3D view of the digital terrain model

The rampart and ditch were built around 390 BC and it is thought that the settlement was occupied by 1500 people until it was destroyed by fire in AD 48.^[2]

Midsummer Hill in cultural life

In The Ley Hunter's Companion Paul Devereux theorised that a 10-mile alignment he called the "Malvern Ley" passed through St Ann's Well, the Wyche Cutting, a section of the Shire Ditch, Midsummer Hill, Whiteleaved Oak, Redmarley D'Abitot and Pauntley.^[4]

References

1. Smart, Mike (2009). Malvern Hills. Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 19. ISBN 0-7112-2915-5.
2. Children, George; Nash, George (1994). Prehistoric Sites of Herefordshire. Logaston Press. ISBN 1-873827-09-1.
3. Bowden, Mark; Field, David; Winton, Helen (2005). The Malvern Hills: an ancient landscape. English Heritage. ISBN 1-873592-82-5.
4. Devereaux, Paul; Thomson, Ian (1979). The ley hunter's companion: aligned ancient sites : a new study with field guide and maps. Thames and Hudson. p. 154. ISBN 0-500-01208-3.

Further reading

• Bowden, Mark; Field, David; Winton, Helen (2005). The Malvern Hills: an ancient landscape. English Heritage. ISBN 1-873592-82-5.
• Children, George; Nash, George (1994). Prehistoric Sites of Herefordshire. Logaston Press. ISBN 1-873827-09-1.
• Historic England (2007). "Midsummer Hill Camp, alternative name: Midsummer Hill Fort (113497)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 8 October 2016.

External links

• Midsummer Hill Camp Monument Detail
• Aerial view of Midsummer Hill

52.0353°N 2.3505°W / 52.0353; -2.3505