A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE BLEWBURTON HILL, BLEWBURY. oval shape of the space within has led antiquaries to ascribe its con- struction to the Danes. It seems, however, more probable that the steep escarpments have been formed by the continued ploughing of the hill-side, causing the parallel benches with the lynches between. This construction is very noticeable in many other parts of the county. There is no sign of a ditch around the hill, nor is there any tradi- tion of the former existence of any fosse. 1 The hill lies half in the parish of Blewbury and half in that of As- ton Upthorpe. BOXFORD, BOROUGH HILL CAMP. Very little of this camp is now left, so much earth having been removed at various times, and rabbit burrows having disturbed the original surface of the ground. The camp stands on the highest point of the ridge which divides the Lambourn Valley from that of the Winterbourne, and commands an extensive view in every direction. By its side ran an ancient road- way, presumably from Speen, which may be traced from Bagnor, past the camp in the direction of Leckhampstead, fol- lowing the ridge the whole way. In 1873 the camp measured 210 feet from north to south, and 180 feet from east to west, and at that time the ramparts could be traced, and the ditch seen in many places. Now it is difficult to make out anything with certainty. 2 A Roman villa was discovered some years back to the south of the camp, and fragments of Roman tiles are ploughed up to the west of it. CHIEVELEY, BUSSOCK CAMP. This is situated at the extreme north end of Snelsmore, near Totterdown Farm. It lies in the middle of a wood on the edge of a high plateau facing north and west. There are said to be signs of an ancient way leading to Grims- bury. The camp is of very irregular form, following the slope of the hill on the north and west sides. Here the earthworks have to a great BOROUGH HILL CAMP, BOXFORD. 1 Trans. Newbury Dist. Field Club, iv. 38-9. 254 Ibid. ii. 61.
