Warbstow Bury is an important historic monument which sits on a prominent upland ridge at the heads of two tributaries of the River Ottery in northeast Cornwall. It is thought to have been constructed around 2500 years ago and is a Scheduled Monument.
The purpose of hillforts is much debated by archaeologists. It is thought that many were likely defensive; however, some may have had more ceremonial or ritualistic uses.
There is an archaeological feature at the centre of the hillfort known as the “Giant’s Grave” or, sometimes, “King Arthur’s Grave”. It is a large pillow mound – an artificial earthen mound used for keeping rabbits – which was likely constructed in the medieval period for the owners of the nearby Fentrigan Manor.
During the Second World War, two sentry boxes were built in the inner rampart of the fort, allowing Warbstow Home Guard to monitor the surrounding landscape for enemy aircraft.
