Hexton

Hexton
Hertfordshire
St Faith's Church, Hexton
Location
Grid reference:	TL105303
Location:	51°57’39"N, 0°23’35"W
Data
Post town:	Hitchin
Postcode:	SG5
Dialling code:	01582
Local Government
Council:	North Hertfordshire
Parliamentary constituency:	North Hertfordshire

Hexton is a small village and parish in Hertfordshire about six miles west of Hitchin. It stands in well wooded and hilly country adjacent to the Bedfordshire border, and forms a salient into that county. The southern boundary of the parish, joining it to the rest of its county, is the Icknield Way.

The parish church, dedicated to St Faith, is mediæval with heavy 19th century Victorian restoration.

The Manor House in its extensive park dates from at least the 15th century, although it was substantially altered in 1901.

Hill fort

An Iron Age camp known as Ravensburgh Castle straddles a hilltop a mile to the south-west of the village.

Limited excavations during the 1960s showed that it was built about 400 BC and refortified around 50 BC. Rectangular in shape, and enclosing 22 acres, it is strongly defended by a double rampart and ditch on the north, west and south sides, with a more massive rampart on the vulnerable eastern flank.

Of its two entrances, that at the north-west corner belongs to the original build, whilst the south-eastern entrance was added around 50 BC. A gap halfway along the eastern side is modern. It has been suggested that Ravensburgh might have been the headquarters of the Celtic chieftain, Cassivelaunus, attacked in 54 BC. The excavations showed signs of burning on the eastern rampart. Access to the site is strictly limited.

Finds of pottery and a bird-headed weaving comb are in the Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Hexton)