Barbury Castle hillfort, near Swindon, Wiltshire. Barbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort situated in Wiltshire, England. It is one of several such forts found along the ancient Ridgeway route, and is now managed as a country park by Swindon Borough Council. It is situated on Barbury Hill, a local vantage point, which, under ideal weather conditions, commands a view across to the Cotswolds and the River Severn. It has deep defensive ditches. The ancient Ridgeway runs close by. The site was first occupied some 2500 years ago, and was then in use during the Roman occupation of the area. Archaeological investigations at Barbury have shown evidence of a number of buildings, indicating a village or military garrison at this time. In the 6th century, the site became part of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex, following the defeat of the Romano-British at the Battle of Beranburgh. ?005 Credit:TopFoto / Fortean