A Tour of the Ancient Architecture of Thornborough’s Northern Henge

With banks over 3m high and ditches approx. 3.5m deep, the Northern Henge is the best example of how the three henges would have looked when they were originally constructed. Visitors can admire the skill of our Neolithic ancestors who built the henges just using basic tools, learning how this was achieved. They will also find out about the lives of Neolithic people and why they built the henges here.

The field to the north of the henge contains significant hidden archelogy which was recently confirmed in 2024. This tour explains what has been found and the potential significance of it. The area around the northern henge became important during the Iron Age and the tour explains how the now quarried out important features including two square barrows and a rare quadruple horse burial relates to the henge complex.

Unlike the central and southern henge which were more recently used for agricultural purposes, the northern henge was planted as managed woodland. The trees have helped preserve the henge and give it a unique feel. Snowdrops can be found in late Winter, whilst during the Spring it is carpeted with bluebells, and at least two types of orchid can be found on the henge banks. There has not been a lot of archaeological exploration of the northern henge and the tour will talk about the most recent investigations and plans for further archaeological investigations.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

11am

Location & directions

Thornborough Henges, North Yorkshire, West Tanfield, North Yorkshire, DL8 2RA

Directions:

The closest parking available for the Northern Henge is at the Nosterfield Nature Reserve Car Park, off Moor Lane. What3words location: ///livid.caps.sailing . The entrance to the Northern Henge is approximately a 10min walk, heading North via the public footpath from the nature reserve car park. Parking is prohibited on the roadside. Please park respectfully and safely.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thornborough-henges-volunteers-english-heritage-76368099673

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thornborough-henges-volunteers-english-heritage-76368099673

Accessibility details

The Northern Henge is accessed via the main entrance gate off Nosterfield Lane, or via the pedestrian gate along the public footpath which runs between Nosterfield Lane up to the B6267 (Please take extra care to check for oncoming vehicles when crossing main roads). Footpaths around the site are relatively flat, but uneven and grassy. The henge fields are currently being used for sheep grazing and will hold in-lamb ewes in their gestation period for the coming weeks. We kindly ask all visitors and local dog walkers to keep dogs on leads at all times and please keep to footpaths and desire lin

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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