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Walk back in time 2500 Years to the Iron Age Hill fort found in the northern side of Barwick in Elmet named Hall Tower Hill and Wendell Hill.
Although the majority of Wendell Hill is now developed into housing, Hall Tower Hill which is both part of the Iron age Hill fort and the 12th-century Motte and Bailey built by the Normans, is still quite well preserved.
A recent geophysical survey found no stone structures so the fort must have been made from wood.
The area was also used during World War 2 as an observation post the remains can be seen at the top of the Hall Tower Hill.
| Length of walk | 4 Miles |
| Height Gain | 252 ft |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Pub | Gascoigne Arms |
Start) – Park up at Scholes Cricket Club
1. Head down the farm track (Rakehill road) towards Barwick in Elmet, go over a small bridge, and continue until you reach the red gate then turn left into the field.
2. Continue around the edge of the fields, passing the old Quarry and over some wooden stiles.
3. Turn right at the footpath T-Junction and follow the footpath down between two fields, you will reach a hedgerow with trees, follow it to the right again and head back towards Barwick in Elmet, you should now be able to see the outlines of the Iron Age fort if you look closely, it would have started from the lines of trees to your left, heading up into Barwick and back round in a circle. If you look on Google Maps on the Satellite Map, you can see a clear outline of trees in a circle on the northern part of Barwick in Elmet.
4. Continue following the footpath around the edges of the fields, and over the wooden bridge which strides over Rake beck, walking up a small incline between horse fields and out onto Rakehill road.
5. Turn Left and follow the road up the hill around to the right, the road then swings around to the left, continue until you reach a T-junction, with a Gascoigne Arms in front of you.
6. Take a right, and go through the gate on the left of the information board, this will take you to the 12th century Motte and Bailey Tower Hill, which was once owned by the Norman Family De Lacy.
7. Heading out from the entrance of Tower Hill turn right, walk down the road, turn right off Elmwood Lane onto Carrfield Road head to the end of the road, and onto the footpath back towards Scholes, the footpath is well walked.
8. Once you get to Scholes follow the main street to the right, and walk a little way until you reach a ginnel just after the Farm entrance. If you pass the Methodist church you have gone too far.
9. Follow the footpath over the fields back to the cricket club, and back onto Rakehill road.
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