There are a number of speculations as to the historical location of Arthur's legendary court at Camelot, including Caerleon, Caerwent, Camelford, Camelon, Carlisle, Colchester, and Winchester.
But most scholars seem to agree that Cadbury Castle is the most likely candidate. Located near the villages of Queen Camel and West Camel, the modern limestone and sandstone hill stands 500 feet above sea-level, at its summit, surrounded by four lines of forested bank-and-ditch defense. In the spring, the area grows bluebells and primroses. 18 acres make up the defended area, which rises to a central plateau. The entrance to the original hillfort was at the southwest, above the village of Sutton Montis.


John Leland, in 1542, is the first historian to make the connection between South Cadbury and Camelot. "Right at the South end of South Cadbury Church stands Camelot. This was once a noted town or castle, set on a real peak of a hill, and with marvellously strong natural defences..... Roman coins of gold, silver and copper have been turned up in large quantities during ploughing there, and also in the fields at the foot of the hill, especially on the East side. Many other antiquities have also been found, including at Camelot, within memory, a silver horseshoe. The only information local people can offer is that they have heard that Arthur frequently came to Camelot."


Today, some residents of South Cadbury attest to the legend that King Arthur and his knights sleep in a hidden cave beneath the hillfort.



Archaeologists have discovered that Caer Cad has post-Roman fortifications. From Early British Kingdoms: "The ramparts were strengthened with large quantities of dressed masonry from derelict Roman buildings and mounted by raised wooden walkways. These were pierced at the South-West corner by a sturdy wooden gate-house through which passed a cobbled roadway (10ft across). The remains of a large timber feasting hall (63 by 34 feet) with an internal partition towards the east end were discovered at the centre of the site. It was easily dated to the 5th/6th centuries from large amounts of imported Mediterranean pottery scattered over the floor and in the postholes.


"Similar pottery was discovered in a possible kitchen just to the north. Smaller buildings in the surrounding area were of uncertain date. The whole area probably went out of use in the early 7th century, but there was extensive evidence for the use of the fort in later ages. The most interesting was perhaps the discovery of an unfinished cruciform Saxon Church from the fort's time as one of King Aethelred's defensive Burghs."

Somerset

British Kingdoms

King Arthur's Knights

Cadbury Castle - Brittania

Cadbury Castle - Wikipedia