Sometime around 800BC Gloucestershire was invaded by a tribe of ferocious warriors from Switzerland and Southern Germany. These red hair guerrillas terrified the existing Bronze Age population by fighting with swords and shields made from a hard new metal - Iron. Gloucestershire had entered the Iron Age.

Attracted by the discovery of Iron Ore in the Forest of Dean, the Celts - as they became known - made Gloucestershire their stronghold.

And stronghold was the word! For they built their villages within highly defensible, fortified sites mainly along the Cotswold scarp, on top of Painswick Beacon, Haresfield Beacon and above Little Sodbury. But surely the most spectacular Iron Age Hill Fort of all forms the theme of this walk the huge, 32 acre stronghold at Uley Bury.

With steep, almost cliff like - slopes on all four sides Uley Bury was a perfect fortress.

Its two lines of defence - made by terracing the natural slopes then building a rampart on top of the upper terrace - must have made the hill fort impregnable.

Within its high walls the whole village - from chieftains to children, from artisans to animals - lived in relative security.

Until 300BC, this is, when yet another group of invaders swept across Gloucestershire. The Belgae - from Belgium - were an advanced race who came in huge numbers, using heavy wheeled wagons for transport, bringing currency and modern farming techniques.

But most of all, the Belgae were head hunters. One by one they picked off the Iron Age Chieftains and laid waste their villages. After some 500 years of domination, Uley Bury once again became silent.

Today, some 2,300 years later, Uley Bury hill fort has been reclaimed by nature. The walk around its ramparts is flat, through a rich woodland of Ash, Beech and Oak, carpeted with calcareous grasses and wild flowers. But best of all, at 800 feet above sea level, the fort commands incredible views to the south and west.

To get to Uley Bury, drive to Dursley (see inset map) through the delightful straggling village of Uley, full of gorgeous 17th and 18th century houses, then climb out of the village and park in the lay-by at the summit. The woodland walk soon gives way to a series of quite remarkable views as one circumnavigates the fort.
Once the walk is complete, drive a little further towards Nympsfield to find 'Hetty Pegler's Tump' - a Stone Age Long Barrow or burial mound. Extensively 'dug' by archaeologist, today you can climb inside its dark interior and explore the eerie burial chambers within. But mind your head!