Hill forts are fortified hill-top settlements constructed across Britain during the Iron Age.

[1] Hill forts developed in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, roughly the start of the first millennium BC.

They would be functional as defensive strongholds when there were tensions and undoubtedly some of them were attacked and destroyed, but this was not the only, or even the most significant, factor in their construction".

In the first phase of activity, the site was defended by a single rampart and ditch; this type of hill fort is termed "univallate".

During the second phase, the fort extended westwards, occupying the entire hill top, and the defences were enhanced through the addition of more ramparts and ditches.

There are two theories about the expansion of the fort: either the growth westwards and the extended defences were completed at the same time or that they were separate events.

[11][12][13] In the medieval and post-medieval period, the south-east part of the site was inhabited, at one point being used as a forester's lodge.

[6] The structure was made a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1995, giving Eddisbury protection against unauthorised change.

[7] The eastern entrance was re-excavated by the Habitats and Hillforts Project in 2010, finds including sling stones and a saddle quern.

[14] Five of Cheshire's seven hill forts have been assessed as being "at high risk" compared to 15% of North West England's Scheduled Monuments.