aerial photograph of North Stoke hillfort in Somerset England UK. North Stoke hillfort is a large univallate hillfort on a spur of Lansdown Hill known as Little Down. Most such hillforts date from the Iron Afe between around 400BC and 100AD..Why so many hill forts were constructed during a relatively small period of history is unknown, however their appearance coincided with the adoption of iron and an increase in population. It may be that the pressures of an increasing population coupled with new weaponry resulted in conflict. The site is well preserved with ramparts up to 2m high and ditches up to 3m deep. The site is protected as a Scheduled Monument.