Helsby Hillfort
OS Grid ref:- SJ493754
Helsby hill fort is an Iron Age hillfort situated to the east of the town of Helsby. Helsby Hill rises around 120 metres above the Cheshire Plain and provides views over the Mersey estuary and into Wales.
Helsby Hill Fort
The hill has steep cliffs on its northern and western sides, providing a natural semicircular defence. Double rampart earthworks to the south and east provide protection to those sides. The earthworks survive to their greatest extent in the east and on the south western side where the rampart is covered in bracken and scrub.
Two additional banks have been uncovered enclosing a rock ledge on the cliff to the north side. Excavations last century revealed a wall composed of sand and rubble, with stone to the back and front.
Much of the hill is now in the ownership of the National Trust.
A walk to Helsby Hillfort
Distance - around 1 mile
*Commencing at the public car park at Helsby Quarry Nature Park, exit the car park and turn left onto the road. Continue on the road for a short way before taking the first right turn up a steep road.
*When the road becomes a track continue straight on along it through the woods, ignoring forks in the path until reaching the hill fort and cliff edge.
*Retrace your steps to return.