Prehistoric England A-Z (N-Z)

A-B - C-M - N-Z (this page)
See also: Ancient Scotland | Wales

Nine Ladies Stone Circle    A small circle of nine stones, with an outlying stone some 40 metres away. The location is wonderful, though somewhat unusual in that the circle is surrounded by woods. Most of the stone circles that I personally have visited have been in much more exposed locations. In this case the location gives an atmosphere of quiet and sheltered peace. There is an interpretive panel on the site. Stanton in Peak, Derbyshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Off minor road S of Stanton in Peak. There is no parking facility per se; you'll just have to pull over to the side of the lane to park. Details of Nine Ladies Stone Circle OS SK249 635 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Notgrove Long Barrow   A neolithic long barrow. The barrow has been filled in to avoid damage to the site. Notgrove, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Off the A436, near Bourton on the Water Website: Notgrove Long Barrow English Heritage Details of Notgrove Long Barrow OS SP097 210 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Nympsfield Long Barrow   A Neolithic burial mound dating to about 2900 BCE, in a superb setting atop a high ridge of the Cotswold escarpmet, with views out over the Severn Valley towards Wales. The barrow internal burial chambers have been exposed for easy viewing allowing visitors to get a good sense of the chamber layout. B4066, Nympsfield, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Located directly on the B4066 1 mile northwest of Nympsfield village, almost opposite the drive to Woodchester Manor. Website: Nympsfield Long Barrow English Heritage - Photos of Nympsfield Long Barrow OS SO794014 Heritage Highlight: Exposed burial chambers Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Old Oswestry Hillfort    A multivallate (having multiple banks and ditches) hillfort in north western Shropshire about a half mile north of Oswestry. In this case multivallate is a most appropriate description, as Old Oswestry Hillfort has no fewer than 5 banks and ditches pierced by entrances on the east and west. Oswestry, Shropshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On a minor road half mile north of Oswestry, off the B4069. Open access site. Website: Old Oswestry Hillfort English Heritage OS SJ294308 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Pimperne Long Barrow    A long barrow that really is *long*! Pimperne barrow stretches to 320 feet in length and is about 75 feet wide at is widest point. The barrow can be roughly dated to 4000 BCE. Pimperne, Dorset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Located 350 yards north of the A354. Parking in laybys on both sides of the A road. OS ST916105 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Rollright Stones   Neolithic stone circle 100 feet across, set in a wooded clearing. Across the road is a larger solitary King Stone, while a short distance away is a group of large stones leaning together (the Whispering Knights). The legend goes that the king left his troops (the stone circle) to have a look at the valley, and while he was so occupied a group of his knights gathered together to plot treason. Another tale tells that the king encountered a witch, who promised him "If Long Compton you can see, then king of England you shall be". Since Long Compton is so close, the king thought the task an easy one, but the hillside obstructed his view, whereupon the witch turned him and his men into stones. Long Compton, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 1 mile SE Long Compton, off the A3400 Website: Rollright Stones Under private ownership Details of Rollright Stones OS SP296308 Heritage Highlight: What really makes the Rollright Stones fascinating are the legends associated with the site. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Rough Tor    The remains of over 100 Bronze Age huts cluster on the southern slopes of Rough Tor. A smaller village is on the north slope, and a holy well, numerous cairns and burial chambers are nearby. The dramatic ruins of St Michael's chapel cling to the top of Rough Tor. Camelford, West Country, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric OS SX145803 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Silbury Hill   An enigmatic, conical neolithic mound, begun about 2900BC; the largest purpose-built structure in Europe. Yes, but what was it used for? No one really knows; the conjecture ranges from astronomical observatory to grave site, although no graves have been found in several attempts at excavation. The hill can only be viewed from the road. Please observe the posted warnings not to climb it! West Kennet, near Avebury, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 1 mile W of West Kennet on A4. Parking available. Website: Silbury Hill English Heritage Details of Silbury Hill OS SU099686 Heritage Highlight: Oh, the mystery! Why was it built? Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

South Cadbury Castle   A hill fort associated with the legends of King Arthur. South Cadbury Castle stands 150 metres above sea level and the hill is ringed by four terraced earthworks ditches and banks. South Cadbury is one of several sites proposed as the location of Arthur's capital, Camelot. South Cadbury, Somerset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: in South Cadbury, Somerset English Heritage Details of South Cadbury Castle OS ST628 251 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St Breock Downs Monoilth    The tallest and heaviest standing stone monolith in Cornwall. The stone was originally 16 feet high, and weighs over 16 tonnes. The stone is located on the top of the down, offering wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. Located very near the Nine Maidens site. No entry fees. Wadebridge, West Country, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On St Breock Downs, roughly 4 miles south west of Wadebridge, off the unclassified road signposted to Rosenannon Website: St Breock Downs Monoilth English Heritage OS SW968683 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stanton Drew Stone Circles   The third largest stone circle complex in the UK. For some reason Stanton Drew has neer received the publicity of more well-known circles such as Abor Low or Avebury. Stanton Drew is composed of three stone circles with associated stone rows, and a 'Cove', a closely spaced set of three stones. Stanton Drew, Somerset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Signposted from the B3130. The Cove is open access at the Druid's Arms pub. The two main stone circles are on private land, and there is an honesty box at the access gate. The southwest circle is not generally accessible. Website: Stanton Drew Stone Circles English Heritage - Photos of Stanton Drew Stone Circles OS ST601633 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stanwick Camp    Extensive earthwork remains of a 1st century Iron Age fort established by the Brigantes tribe. The site was not purely defensive, but was used as a trading centre and administrative capital for the Brigantes. Excavations have found Brigantian and Samian pottery, as well as Iron Age weapons, and a skull. Forcett, Yorkshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: In Forcett village, on a minor road off the A6274 Website: Stanwick Camp English Heritage OS NZ179122 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stonehenge   The most famous ancient site in Britain. Built in several stages between 3000 and 1500BC, incorporating stones from as far away as the Preseli Mountains in Wales (219 miles). Stonehenge in depth Amesbury, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 2 miles W of Amesbury, at junction of A303 and A344 Website: Stonehenge Phone: 0870 333 1181 English Heritage Details of Stonehenge - Photos of Stonehenge OS SU123 422 Heritage Highlight: Stand amazed at what the builders of this magnificent site were able to accomplish. The sheer size of the stones is awe-inspiring. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stonehenge Landscape   The Stonehenge Landscape takes in much of the World Heritage Site around the famous stone circle. The National Trust owns 830ha of land surrounding Stonehenge, and within the extended landscape around the stone circle are burial mounds and a huge ‘cursus’ enclosure. 3-4 Stonehenge Cottages, King Barrows Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, SP4 7DD Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: There are car parks at Stonehenge Stone Circle and at Woodhenge, and footpaths from Amesbury and Durrington. Website: Stonehenge Landscape Email: stonehenge@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01980 664780 National Trust Location map OS SU120423 Heritage Highlight: An extraordinary prehistoric landscape surrounding Stonehenge Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow    A Neolithic long barrow with multiple burial chambers. Stone Littleton is one of the most easily accessible long barrows in Britain. The barrow is oriented north west - south east, and is about 30 metres long. It is 12 metres wide at its widest, and 2 metres high. Wellow, Somerset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Off the A367, 1 mile south of Wellow village. Limited parking. Website: Stoney Littleton Long Barrow English Heritage OS ST734572 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Sutton Hoo    In 1939 archaeologists unearthed an astonishing Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Woodbridge, Suffolk; astonishing both for the state of preservation of the objects within the tomb, but also astonishing for the sheer rich quality of the artifacts. The burial goods from Sutton Hoo are remarkable - gold weapons and armour, inlaid ornaments, silver and tableware. Also found with the body was a purse containing 37 gold Merovingian (Gaulish) gold coins dating from the 620's AD. Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo Woodbridge, East Anglia, Suffolk, England, IP12 3DJ Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On B1083 between Melton and Bawdsey. Website: Sutton Hoo Email: suttonhoo@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01394 389700 Fax: 01394 389702 Location map Details of Sutton Hoo OS TM288491 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

The Hurlers Stone Circles   S series of three stone circles aligned in a row. This is the only known example of a stone circle linear grouping in England. The stone circles stand on flat ground below the rock formation known as The Cheesewring. Minions, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Parking at the south west end of Minions village, on the minor road towards St Cleer Website: The Hurlers Stone Circles English Heritage - Photos of The Hurlers Stone Circles OS SX258717 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

The Nine Stones    A small stone circle set in a woodland glade. As the name suggests, the circle is composed of nine stones. It was constructed in the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, around 2000 BCE. A35, Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On the A35 1.5 miles south west of Winterbourne Abbas. Parking in a layby opposite. Open access site. Website: The Nine Stones English Heritage OS SY611902 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Three Shires Stones    A Neolithic burial chamber marks the point where the historical boundaries of the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset met. Marshfield, West Country, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric OS ST796700 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tregiffian Burial Chamber   The Tregiffian Burial Chamber is a Neolithic or early Bronze Age chambered tomb. The site features a 15 metre wide mound edged with kerb stones. A funereal chamber has been set into the south west corner of the mound. Lamorna, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On a footpath off the B3315 west of Lamorna. This is an open access site. Website: Tregiffian Burial Chamber English Heritage OS SW433241 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Trethevy Quoit   A large Neolithic dolmen, or quoit, that is probably the best preserved example in Britain. The dolmen is composed of two large upright stones on each side, capped with a huge, sloping capstone. There is a small stone to enclose the back of the burial chamber (now fallen) and a frontal stone. St Cleer, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On a minor road 1 mile north neast of St Cleer, off the B3254. Open access site. Website: Trethevy Quoit English Heritage - Photos of Trethevy Quoit OS SX261689 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Uffington White Horse    Well, it might be a horse, or it might be a dragon, and it might be Celtic, and it might be Iron Age, and the fact that it is terribly hard to see the whole thing from anywhere but up in the air has given rise to theory that it is a signal to extraterrestrials, but you must admit that the White Horse is impressive. Cut into a hillside just below an Iron Age hill fort, and only a mile from Wayland's Smithy. Uffington, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: off B4507 Website: Uffington White Horse English Heritage Details of Uffington White Horse OS SU301866 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Uley Long Barrow (Hetty Pegler's Tump)   Uley Long Barrow is a Neolithic chambered long barrow located high on Crawley Hill, on the Cotswold escarpment, overlooking the Severn valley. The barrow is of the Cotswold-Severn type, similar to Nympsfield Long Barrow a mile away. B4066, Uley, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On the B4066 3 miles north of Dursley Website: Uley Long Barrow (Hetty Pegler's Tump) English Heritage - Photos of Uley Long Barrow (Hetty Pegler's Tump) OS SO789000 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Wayland's Smithy   Originally a megalithic mortuary house, later a chambered tomb fronted by an elaborate entrance (see photo). Ony a few yards off the ancient Ridgeway track, and less than a mile from the Uffington hill fort and the famous White Horse. The name "Wayland " refers to Wayland the Smith, the Scandinavian Wodin, and the story goes that if you leave your horse at the site along with a few pennies, the animal will be reshod when you return. Uffington, Oxfordshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On a signposted path off the B4507 Website: Wayland's Smithy English Heritage OS SU280854 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

West Kennet Long Barrow   Long, tapering chambered tomb, with several galleries off the main passage. May have been linked with the nearby Avebury complex in ritual observances. Avebury, near Avesbury, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: along footpath off A4 Website: West Kennet Long Barrow English Heritage OS SU104677 Heritage Highlight: Wonderful views across the Silbury Hill Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

West Kennett Avenue   A long, winding avenue, composed of parallel rows of standing stones, stretching the the southern end of the henge at Avebury to The Sanctuary on Overton Hill, over 1.5 miles away. Over 100 pairs of stones still stand, most near the Avebury end of the Avenue. B4003, Avebury, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: The best way to visit is to park in the National Trust parking lot in Avebury and walk across Avebury henge to the begining of the avenue. Try to avoid visiting at the time of the summer solstice, as the crowds can be very large. Website: West Kennett Avenue English Heritage OS SU105695 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Windmill Hill   The most famous of the causewayed camps, it even gave its name to the culture which created them. It may have been used as a communal gathering-place, and for religious observances. Avebury, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On a minor road at the north end of Avebury Trusloe village Website: Windmill Hill English Heritage OS SU087710 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Windmill Tump   A Neolithic long barrow with at least three chambers, contained within three concentric ditches. Remains of animal bones were found when the site was excavated. The barrow interior cannot be entered. Oathill Lane, Rodmarton, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On Oathill Lane, off the A433 1 mile south of Rodmarton Website: Windmill Tump English Heritage Details of Windmill Tump - Photos of Windmill Tump OS ST 933973 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows    A large cluster of 44 Bronze Age burial mounds on either side of the A35. The barrows have been described as a Bronze Age cemetery. What is fascinating about the site is that so many different types of barrows are clustered so close together. Here you will find disc barrows, bell barrows, bowl barrows,pond barrows, and the remains of what may be a hut circle. Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On the A35, 2 miles west of Winterbourne Abbas. No adjacent parking. Best access is via Wellbottom Lodge, 200 yards east from A35 junction with the minor road to Compton Valence. Website: Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows English Heritage OS SY590906 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Woodhenge   Ditched enclosure that once housed a wooden building made up of six concentric circles. Possibly the site of child-sacrifice; the skeleton of an infant was found in a grave within the henge, its skull split in two. Durrington, Wiltshire, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Just off the A345 immediately south of Durrington Website: Woodhenge English Heritage OS SU150431 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Yeavering Bell Hillfort   Yeavering Bell is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Northumberland, situated atop a high hill on the edge of the Cheviot Hills, within the Northumberland National Park. The 'Bell' is actually the entire hill, at the top of which is an area of about 5.6 hectares surrounded by a stone wall which originally stood to a height of 2.5 metres and is up to 4 metres in width. Within the enclosed area can be seen the remains of Iron Age roundhouses. At its height, the community on Yeavering bell supported up to 130 houses. Within the enclosure is a smaller area surrounded by a ditch, where the remains of an burial cairn can be found, a sign that the hill was used by inhabitants of the region as far back as Neolithic times. At the foot of Yeavering Bell is Gefrin, the site of a palace used by the the Saxon kings of Northumberland. Old Yeavering, Northumberland, England Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On the south side of the B6351 between Akeld and Kirknewton. OS NT928293 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

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