King Arthur Adventures: Could Cadbury Castle Be the Real Camelot?

12th March 2026

Few places in Britain capture the imagination quite like Camelot, the legendary court of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. But where might Camelot really have stood? Rising quietly above the Somerset countryside is one of the most compelling candidates — the ancient hillfort of Cadbury Castle.

Artistic reconstruction of Cadbury Castle in Somerset as it may have appeared during the post-Roman period, often associated with the legendary Camelot 

A warm welcome from Backpacker Tours and our sister Best Value Tours where inspiring travel experiences begin. Continuing our fascinating series: Indulging King Arthur Adventures and Legends around ancient Britain. Full of mystery, magic and wonderful legend, but also with a good chunk of fact, were King Arthur and Merlin truly real?

We explore these remarkable landscapes while featuring, as always, Stonehenge and our continually updated Stonehenge Inner Circle Calendar along with helpful tips to visit. From mysteries of ancient monuments, the beauty and mystic of hidden landscapes, we love sharing the stories, history and unforgettable locations that make Britain such a remarkable destination.

We explore fascinating places, create travel inspiration and magical experiences that truly bring the past and these enchanting islands to life.

King Arthur Adventures: Could Camelot Have Been Cadbury Castle?

The legends of King Arthur stretch across Britain like a trail of mystery. From windswept castles to ancient stone circles and misty hills, travellers can still explore landscapes that inspired the stories of Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table. In this continuing series exploring Arthurian Britain, we look at one of the most intriguing locations connected with Camelot – Cadbury Castle in Somerset. While no one can say for certain where Arthur’s legendary court once stood, this impressive hillfort has long been suggested as one of the most convincing candidates. Travelling through these historic landscapes today, it is easy to imagine the stories that shaped Britain’s mythology. The countryside itself seems to carry echoes of the past – ancient paths, fortified hills and mysterious monuments that have inspired storytellers for centuries.

Cadbury Castle – A Hillfort with a Legendary Reputation

Cadbury Castle rises above the quiet Somerset countryside near the village of South Cadbury. Despite its name, it is not a medieval stone castle but a vast Iron Age hillfort surrounded by impressive earth ramparts and defensive banks that once protected a large settlement. Standing on the summit today, visitors can enjoy sweeping views across fields and farmland stretching for miles. The hill’s commanding position makes it easy to understand why ancient people chose this site as a stronghold. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the hillfort was heavily fortified and occupied during the 5th and 6th centuries, a period that roughly coincides with the time when a historical figure behind the Arthurian legend might have lived.

Was Cadbury Castle the Real Camelot?

For centuries historians and antiquarians have speculated about the true location of Camelot, the legendary court of King Arthur. One of the earliest recorded suggestions linking Cadbury Castle with Camelot comes from the 16th-century writer John Leland, who recorded local traditions identifying the hill as Arthur’s court. Excavations carried out during the 1960s uncovered traces of substantial buildings, including what archaeologists believe may have been a large hall. If the hillfort once housed a powerful ruler and his followers, it is not difficult to imagine how memories of such a stronghold could later evolve into the legendary Camelot. While there is no definitive proof that Arthur ruled here, the scale of the site and its strategic position continue to make Cadbury Castle one of the most fascinating possibilities.

Cadbury Castle hillfort in Somerset. Today the site appears as a peaceful grassy hill, but archaeological discoveries show it was once a powerful stronghold during the centuries following Roman Britain and is often associated with the legendary Camelot of King Arthur.

Cadbury Castle Today

Today Cadbury Castle is a peaceful and atmospheric place to explore. Walking paths lead up the hillside to the summit, where the ancient earthworks of the hillfort can still be clearly seen. Standing on the ramparts it is easy to imagine warriors gathering within the hillfort and banners flying above the summit. Whether Camelot truly stood here or not, the landscape certainly feels worthy of the legend.

The Landscape of Arthurian Britain

Cadbury Castle is only one stop in the wider landscape connected with Arthurian legend. Across Britain travellers can still explore locations tied to the stories of Arthur, Merlin and Avalon. Some of the most famous include Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, traditionally regarded as Arthur’s birthplace, Glastonbury Tor often linked with the mystical Isle of Avalon, Dozmary Pool associated with the legend of Excalibur, and Stonehenge which later medieval legends claimed Merlin transported using magic. These remarkable places form a legendary trail stretching across Britain’s most beautiful landscapes.

Stonehenge and the Arthurian Legends

Stonehenge also appears in medieval Arthurian legend through stories describing Merlin transporting the great stones from Ireland using magical powers before placing them on Salisbury Plain. Today Stonehenge remains one of Britain’s most mysterious prehistoric monuments and can be visited on tours from London, including rare Inner Circle access visits that allow guests to step inside the ancient stone circle itself outside normal opening hours.

Exploring places like Cadbury Castle offers travellers a chance to step into Britain’s rich landscape of myth and history. Whether following the legends of King Arthur or simply discovering beautiful historic landscapes, these locations provide unforgettable experiences across England and beyond.

Today visitors can walk the ramparts of Cadbury Castle and take in sweeping views across the Somerset countryside. Standing on the summit, it is easy to imagine warriors gathering within the ancient earthworks and banners flying above the hilltop stronghold. Whether Camelot truly stood here or not, the atmosphere of legend still lingers across the landscape.

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