Right in front of you is a large, grassy hill rising gently above its surroundings, almost like a giant green loaf of bread - just look over the hedge and you can’t miss it!
Now, if Castle Hill looks peaceful today, imagine it two thousand years ago, bustling with life and a dash of danger! This spot was once the best place to cross the wild River Cam, or as folks back then called it, the River Granta. Even before the Romans showed up in their shiny sandals, people were already sniffing around here, drawn to the hill’s great view and strategic spot. Then the Romans marched in, built a town called Duroliponte, and probably wondered how much mud could fit inside a sandal. With all those merchants and soldiers about, you’d have heard the splash of oars and the babble of languages, with St Peter’s Church halfway up the hill collecting Roman tiles in its walls like souvenirs.
Later, when the Anglo-Saxons needed a place to watch out for trouble, they picked this very hill. But the real drama came in 1068, when the Normans - never ones to miss out on castle-building - threw up mighty Cambridge Castle right on top. Now, only this mound and some foundations remain. So as you stand here, close your eyes and picture the clang of swords and the shouts of market traders. Castle Hill has seen it all: Romans, Saxons, Normans, and now… you! Not a bad guest list, eh?
