Hembury Hillfort, Buckfast, Dartmoor National Park
Hembury Hillfort is located at the top of the National Trust's Hembury Woods near Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.
A National Trust information board by the northern entrance to Hembury Hillfort states that 'Hembury Castle was built in two phases, an Iron Age hillfort followed by the construction of a Norman motte (mound) and bailey (enclosure) castle. The name 'Hembury' meaning 'high castle', is an apt description of this great earthwork constructed on the spur of a hill with steep wooded slopes to the river valley below'. There are some great reconstructions on that information board. Visit to learn more.
We've positioned Hembury Hillfort on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. There are a couple of car parking areas near the fort. Both are marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. The upper car parking area on the eastern border of Hembury Woods is closest to the hillfort and there's an easy walk on flat ground to the fortifications. The lower car parking area to the south of the woods is much further down. From that lower car parking area, cross the road and wander down a forestry track. Very soon, you'll see a path to your left climbing through the woods. Follow the signposts with the word 'FORT' and arrows carved into them.
We'd very much recommend visiting Hembury Hillfort as part of the Hembury Woods Circular Walks.
Other Dartmoor hillforts
East Hill Hillfort.
(The following three hillforts are close to one another in the Teign Gorge and Fingle Woods above the River Teign.)
Cranbrook Castle Hillfort.
Prestonbury Castle Hillfort.
Wooston Castle Hillfort.
Nattadon Hillfort.
Hunter's Tor Hillfort.
Brentor Hillfort.
Photo Gallery
