From Monday 22 to Friday 26 September, several Public Rights of Way through Weston Woods will be temporarily closed as North Somerset Council carries out essential conservation work at Worlebury Camp Hillfort. This Iron Age hillfort, covering 10 hectares on Worlebury Hill in Weston-super-Mare, is a Scheduled Monument of national archaeological importance, recognized since 1915 for its distinctive coastal setting and impressive defensive structures.
Visitors who frequent the area for walking and horse riding should anticipate detours around the hillfort, with access completely restricted between 8am and 5pm during the workdays for safety reasons due to machinery operations. The council urges all visitors to adhere strictly to posted signage, barrier tape, and fencing to ensure their safety.
Worlebury Camp is currently listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. With a £32,000 grant awarded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) via the Rural Payments Agency, North Somerset Council’s Heritage and Design team is able to conduct this critical preservation work, complemented by additional related conservation activities. This initiative builds upon earlier collaborative efforts with Historic England to enroll the hillfort in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
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Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, Heritage Champion for North Somerset Council and local ward member, highlighted the objectives of the project: “The work will involve removing logs and brash—some of which resulted from prior woodland management and Ash Dieback treatments—to restore more grassland and enhance biodiversity on the hillfort. Our ultimate aim is to remove this site from the Heritage at Risk register.”
Removed timber and brush will be carefully stacked outside the monument boundary to create new wildlife habitats, with smaller material being chipped and taken offsite. In addition, cutting back grass and bramble on the summit will permit a specialist geophysical survey, the results of which will guide an updated management plan.
While weekday access to the hillfort will be blocked during working hours, unrestricted access will remain available on weekends. Clear signage will guide visitors on where they can safely go, and compliance with these instructions is essential for public safety. The council acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the temporary closures and appreciates the understanding of local residents and visitors.
Council teams—including principal archaeologists, tree officers, and the Public Rights of Way team—are working closely to minimize disruption and complete the project efficiently. For more information about Worlebury Camp Hillfort and to view the management plan, please visit North Somerset Council’s website.
*Note: The temporary closures include footpath AX31/71/20. An interactive Public Rights of Way map is available on the council’s website.