Over the last six years a great deal has gone on at Wooston Castle, the Iron Age Hillfort in Fingle, resulting in a site that looks rather different now! Let me take you back to 2016, when most of the trees were cleared from the site, and the timber was extracted using heavy horses. This was done for many reasons, as a Scheduled Ancient Monument the hillfort represents an important historical site, something that tree roots and falling trees are likely to damage. Since the trees have been removed, it has been removed from Historic England’s ‘at risk’ list and as Wooston is on a rocky promontory it now benefits from a lot more sun, providing an ideal invertebrate and plant habitat. This clearance to the site also allowed for the archaeological digs that were to follow.

Many people were able to visit Wooston at this time, including school groups who were able to see the heavy horses working and to learn about the Iron Age. School groups enjoyed activities including decorating their own Iron Age shields with natural pigments, handling materials and items that would have been used in the Iron Age, as well as other historically themed activities.

In April 2018, a dig took place, making Wooston Castle the first hillfort to be excavated on Dartmoor in over 100 years. This provided volunteers with the opportunity to take part in the dig, and for local school children to become involved. School groups took part in tours of the hillfort and excavation site, were taught some simple digging techniques and also had a go at excavating their own dig boxes.

In both 2019 and 2021, through public events and school visits, local children again had the opportunity to learn more about Wooston Hillfort, experiencing what life would have been like in the Iron Age, looking at everything from traditional clothing, jewellery and the use of animal skins, through to homes and weapons. Children were able to take part in warrior training and javelin throwing, make their own wooden swords and to learn about fire lighting. The site had plenty of space for these activities thanks to ongoing work from contractors, volunteers and Dartmoor ponies, who are now regular visitors to Wooston to keep the trees and gorse from re-encroaching on the site.

Throughout the years of the National Lottery Heritage funded project we have been able to bring the Iron Age to life for local school children. Now that the funding has come to an end, we are pleased to be able to offer three videos all about the Iron Age at Wooston. These were filmed with local children, who we would like to thank, along with Matt Russell from Experience the Iron Age, who has worked alongside us for many of the events. The videos will be shared with local schools to allow them to continue to learn more about life in the Iron Age at Wooston Hillfort.

More information can be found about Wooston Hillfort Castle through the link below.

https://finglewoods.org.uk/2019/04/24/wooston-castles-secrets-revealed/