The Last Battle

The 12th Century Welsh Annals record that Arthur died at the Battle of Camlann. On the eve of the battle Arthur rallied his men at Rhyd-y-Groes farm (Ford of the Cross) a river crossing that can still be seen today now marked by Shiregrove Bridge. The likelihood that the battle of Camlann was historically fought here is further supported by the name of the river, the Camlad – possibly a derivation of Camlann. In this strategic location it is
likely that the historical King Arthur made his last encampment before he fell on the field of battle. In the legend of the Magical Cauldron of Di-wrnach, the cauldron is said to contain the treasures of Britain and a magical
sword. The Cauldron lies hidden in a cave below the summit of Caer Caradoc. One Welsh tale recounts Arthur’s search
for the Cauldron of Diwrnach, and in another Arthur recovers the cauldron from the mystical isle of Annwn.The
themes of Avalon and the quest for the Holy Grail were probably based on these early legends. Caradoc hill rises 900ft above Church Stretton. On the summit there is a hill-fort and beneath the western fortifications is an artificial cave called ‘Caradoc’s Cave’, 3m deep and 2m high.