Littledean Camp

Littledean Camp stands on a hilltop in Gloucestershire, overlooking the Severn valley and the village of Littledean. Once thought to be Roman, it is now known to be an early Norman castle built in the 11th century. The castle was designed to protect local villages and form a defensive line with nearby castles at Glasshouse Woods and Howle Hill Camp. Its circular shape includes an inner and outer bailey, with the outer wall rising to 12 metres in surviving earthworks. A motte was built into the outer wall rather than at the centre, serving as both lookout and keep. The entrance faced south, and the castle was abandoned by the mid-12th century. The site is now a scheduled monument, with only the earthworks and vallum wall remaining. Trees grow across the ruins, making the hilltop stand out against the surrounding fields. The earthworks reach 12 metres high in places, though they were once 15 metres tall. The castle’s unusual design, with its integrated motte, makes it unique among early Norman castles. It was never occupied for long and was already abandoned during the Anarchy in the 12th century. Visitors find a quiet hilltop site covered in trees, where the earthworks of the old castle are still clearly visible. The remains stretch about 60 feet in diameter, with the outer wall forming a distinct boundary. The motte, once part of the defensive structure, now blends into the landscape. From a distance, the treetops mark the hilltop, drawing the eye across the Severn valley. The site offers a glimpse of medieval engineering without modern interference.