Sandy
Prehistoric Period
Galley Hill Hillfort

Places > Sandy > Archaeology

Galley Hill is a scheduled ancient monument situated on the RSPB nature reserve.  The univallate Iron Age hillfort occupies a very prominent position in the landscape and would have originally commanded good views to the Sandy and Biggleswade and Potton areas. The area was later planted which has subsequently impinged the views.  Beauchamp Wadmore noted in 1920 that the earthwork had also been worked by allotment holders.

The hillfort covers an area of approximately 1.25 ha and is situated close to two further hillforts, Caesars Camp (a contour fort) and The Lodge (a promontory fort).  Galley Hill is the best preserved of the three monuments.  There is also a cursus in the vicinity as well as Iron Age settlements.

In 2006 Albion Archaeology undertook an archaeological field excavation of the site and were able to establish the likely existence of a second, earlier monument on Galley Hill.  The archaeologists also found pottery at the site suggesting domestic activity.  The project was also able to successfully identify the entrance to the monument and establish that it was wide enough for both pedestrians and carts.

Sources

• Albion Archaeology: Galley Hill Hillfort, Sandy, Beds, Archaeological field excavation, 2006
• Wadmore, Beauchamp Earthworks of Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire Standard, 1920

Galley Hill Hillfort, by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2008

Page last updated: 4th February 2014