Cadbury Castle, near Sparkford (2 m. away), is the most remarkable of all the Somerset earthworks.  Besides its antiquarian importance, the “Castle” derives a romantic interest from its popular association with the fabled Camelot.  The hill is best ascended by a lane near a farm-house to the S. of S. Cadbury Church.  Though much covered with timber, the fortifications are still clearly traceable, and consist of a quadruple series of ramparts and ditches.  The interior “ring” is faced with wrought masonry.  The fortifications enclose an area of some 18 acres, and the crest of the hill is crowned by a mound locally known as King Arthur’s Palace.  The defensive works must originally have been of great strength, and are impressive even in their decay.  The S. face of the hill is fashioned into a series of terraces, possibly with a view to cultivation.  A well, called King Arthur’s Well, will be found within the lowest rampart by taking the path to the right of the entrance gate.  Another well—­Queen Anne’s—­is in the neighbourhood of the keeper’s cottage.  The country-side is rich in Arthurian traditions.  King Arthur and his knights are said on moonlight nights to gallop round the fortifications on steeds shod with silver shoes.  A hardly traceable forest-path runs at the base of the hill in the direction of Glastonbury.  This is King Arthur’s hunting track.  Apart from these legendary associations, Cadbury must have played a considerable part in the British struggle for freedom.  It may have been here (instead of at Penselwood) that the West Welsh made their last effort against Cenwealh, when he drove them to the Parrett (see p. 12).  For so low an eminence, the “castle” commands a remarkably extensive view.  The great plain of Central Somerset spreads away at the foot of the hill.  In the foreground is the ever-conspicuous Glastonbury Tor; the Mendip ridge closes the horizon on the right; the Quantocks and Brendons are in front; and the Blackdowns and Dorset highlands lie jumbled together on the left.

Camel, Queen (1 m.  S.W. of Sparkford Station), is a large and attractive village, owing its name to the neighbouring stream, the Cam.  Its church is a dignified structure with a lofty tower, which has its turret unusually placed at the N.W. angle (cp.  Yeovil and Martock).  The arcade has octagonal piers.  Two of them have small niches, and there is a clerestory above.  The roof has embattled tie-beams, the space above them being filled with Perp. tracery.  The E. window is lofty.  The chancel has a screen and rood-loft, with fan tracery E. and W.; the staircase is in the S. pier of the arch.  At the E. end is a piscina and a sedile, each under an elaborate triple ogee canopy.  The Perp. font is unusual, being supported on pillars which have niches containing figures.  On the S. side of the church there is an incongruous “classical” porch (cp.  Sutton Montis).  In the parish is a mineral spring with properties resembling those of Harrogate waters.