Perched in the rolling South Devon landscape, Halwell Camp offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient life for those arriving by bike or on foot. This Iron Age hillfort, though partially touched by time and farming, still reveals its secrets to those who venture close. It stands as a powerful reminder that this peaceful corner of Devon has been home to human stories for millennia.
As you follow the quiet country lanes or walking trails to the site, the ramparts rise subtly from the fields, especially north of the road where the earthwork is at its most striking—up to 2 metres high in places, with traces of an impressive ditch surrounding it. These defensive structures once enclosed a vibrant community, and though no excavations have taken place here, archaeologists believe important layers of history lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.
A short stroll north from the fort reveals two ancient burial mounds, or bowl barrows, part of a linear cemetery dating back as far as 2400 BC. These rounded humps in the land are not just relics—they’re markers of a sacred landscape in continual use over more than 2,000 years. Imagine the rituals and gatherings that might once have taken place here, high above the surrounding valleys.
Though the site is bisected by the Dartmouth to Halwell road, it remains a rewarding and evocative place to explore on foot or by cycle, with field edges, hedge banks, and quiet verges preserving hidden features. Look closely and you’ll spot traces of ancient entrances, subtle banks, and ditches that tell a silent story of long-forgotten lives.
Halwell Camp is a place for slow travel—a perfect pause for those cycling through South Devon’s green heartlands or hiking the lesser-known tracks. Bring your imagination, take in the views, and walk in the footsteps of Bronze Age farmers, Iron Age warriors, and generations of people who shaped the land long before us.