Hexton

Hexton is a small village about six miles (10 km) west of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, England.

Coordinates: 51°57′39″N 0°23′35″W / 51.960823°N 0.393150°W / 51.960823; -0.393150

Hexton
Hexton shown within Hertfordshire
Population	(2001)
OS grid reference	TL105303
Parish	Hexton
District	North Hertfordshire
Shire county	Hertfordshire
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	HITCHIN
Postcode district	SG5
Dialling code	01582
Police	Hertfordshire
Fire	Hertfordshire
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	North Hertfdordshire
List of places: UK • England • Hertfordshire

It stands in well wooded and hilly country adjacent to the Bedfordshire border. The church, dedicated to St Faith, is mediaeval with heavy 19th century restoration. The Manor House in its extensive park dates from at least the 15th century, although it was substantially altered in 1901. Far older is the Iron Age camp of [Ravensburgh Castle] which straddles a hilltop a mile to the south-west. Limited excavations during the 1960s showed that it was built about 400 BC and refortified around 50 BC. Rectangular in shape, and enclosing 9 hectares, 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, Luton.]

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