Plans to introduce parking charges at Danebury Hill Fort will be considered later this month.
Hampshire County Council is proposing fees between 8 am and 8 pm at the Iron Age site, which dates back to the 6th century BC.
Planned charges are as follows:
• £1.20 for up to two hours
• £2.20 for up to four hours
• £3.20 for over four hours
• A flat daily rate of £10.20 for coaches
An annual parking pass is also part of the proposals.
Danebury Hill Fort is one of the best-preserved Iron Age hill forts in England and a site of national archaeological importance. Located near Stockbridge in Hampshire, the fort dates back to the 6th century BC and remained in use for several hundred years.
The hill fort covers around 12 acres and was originally constructed as a defensive settlement. Its earthworks include a series of ramparts and ditches, which would have offered strong protection against potential invaders. Archaeological evidence shows that the site contained roundhouses, storage pits and workshops, suggesting it was not only a place of defence but also a thriving community.
Extensive excavations led by Professor Barry Cunliffe from the 1960s onwards uncovered thousands of artefacts, providing valuable insights into Iron Age life. Items such as tools, pottery, animal bones and weapons have helped historians understand how the community traded, farmed and defended itself.
Today, Danebury is managed as a country park by Hampshire County Council. Visitors can explore the impressive ramparts, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and walk through a landscape that offers both historical and natural interest. The site is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to its rare chalk grassland habitat that supports diverse plants and wildlife.
As both a cultural landmark and a natural haven, Danebury Hill Fort continues to attract historians, archaeologists, walkers and families — offering a unique glimpse into Britain’s Iron Age past.
Councillor Bowerman said: “Car parking charges are being proposed to help us manage this incredibly special site, including its unique historic and natural features. The goal is to keep fees as low as possible, and I’m pleased that feedback from site users has led to a revised proposal, which I will be considering carefully before making a final decision.”
These proposals will be reviewed on Monday 22 September.
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