Type of Walk: Prehistoric Sites

The Category Prehistoric Sites is a subset of Heritage and History.

'Discover exciting wildlife in this fascinating reserve with a prehistoric past ... Wander along the forest tracks between the pine trees to look and listen for unusual birds such as crossbill, goldcrest and raven. You may glimpse the iconic red squirrel leaping from branch to branch. With no introduced grey squirrels on the Island, their smaller cousin thrives here ...'

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Bouldnor Cliff [Wikipedia]

'One of the most striking and historic features in the landscape of eastern Leicestershire. The well-preserved Iron Age hill fort dramatically crowns a steep-sided promontory of land reaching 210m (690 ft), with superb views. A prominent landmark and ready-made arena, the hill has long been a place for public recreation. As well as the grassy hilltop the country park offers diverse wildlife habitats and varied areas to visit ... Since 1970 Leicestershire County Council has leased this 35 hectare site from the Ernest Cook Trust.'

Leicestershire Country Parks

'The Archaeological Way programme is aiming to develop an 11 mile (18.5km) multi-user trail between Pleasley Pit Country Park and Creswell Crags, to provide a key missing section of the Derbyshire - Nottinghamshire trails network. Phase 1, from South Shirebrook to Poulter Country Park, was opened to the public in spring 2015.'

Derbyshire County Council

'A walk through ancient history on the gorgeous chalk downlands of Salisbury Plain.'

WalkScene

'A superb walk with a few short climbs to reach the ridge for fantastic views and one the UK’s most spectacular Bronze Age cemeteries.'

South West Coast Path

'The BBC ceased their broadcasting from Daventry in 1992, and demolished the two 500ft aerial masts that had sat on top of Borough Hill. Borough Hill itself is now owned by Daventry District Council and is a very pleasant country park. Visitors can walk around the site, which has a long history prior to the BBC’s arrival ...'

British Society for History of Science

Borough Hill [Daventry District Council]

'Limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Further evidence came to light in 2003 with the discovery of Britain's only known Ice Age rock art.'

Creswell Crags Museum & Heritage Centre

'Danebury is one of the most extensively studied hillforts in Europe. "Iron Age" describes the period between the end of the Bronze Age and the start of the Roman period (700BC - AD43). Evidence found suggests that the Fort was built 2500 years ago and occupied for nearly 500 years.'

Hampshire County Council

'A waymarked trail to follow by car or bicycle, with stops to walk to nine impressive prehistoric sites.'

Langholm Walks

'Why not visit both parts of the Stonehenge and Avebury WHS? The best way to appreciate both sites is on foot ... Publications on walks are available from the Stonehenge Visitor Centre shop, at Avebury, from the National Trust and the Henge shop. You can also find an interactive map of the Stonehenge landscape on the English Heritage website and circular walks around Stonehenge on the National Trust website. Find suggestions for exploring Avebury on the Ridgeway National Trails website.'

Stonehenge & Avebury - World Heritage Site

'The Fleam Dyke and Roman Road Walk is a waymarked route incorporating two of Cambridgeshire's ancient linear sites ... A Guide Book ... gives detailed directions and route maps and includes information on flora, fauna and places of interest along the way, illustrated with colour photographs. It also lists places to eat and drink and a number of pubs and guest houses offering accommodation along the route.'

Friends of the Roman Road and Fleam Dyke

'Foula is the most remote inhabited island in the British Isles, lying 20 miles to the west of the Shetland Islands. The island boasts dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife. Inhabited since Neolithic times, the island is rich in historical significance.'

Walkhighlands

'Walking route being developed ... along existing public rights of way, through the ancient landscape and varied, stunning scenery between the World Heritage Sites of Avebury and Stonehenge.' Unfortunately at the time of Review the 'Great Stones Way' Website was inaccessible; so I have replaced the Link with one to the LDWA Website.

The Friends of the Ridgeway

The Great Stones Way by Steve Davison (Cicerone, 2014)

'Surely no other walk in the UK offers neolithic burial chambers, Edwardian gardens and supernatural legends all within an easy 7.5 mile country trail?: St Nicholas, Dyffryn Gardens and St Lythans: 7.5miles / plus 3.5mile optional walk. The burial chambers of Tinkinswood and St. Lythans, both older than Stonehenge, provide early highlights of this appealing walk ...'

Visit the Vale

'Unique among long distance tracks because it can claim to be "the oldest road in Britain". Extending from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk, it consists of prehistoric pathways, ancient when the Romans came. Dotted with archaeological remains, it survives as splendid tracks and green lanes along the chalk "spine" of England.'

Icknield Way Association

'Crossing six counties, the Icknield Way Trail is a 170 mile (274 km) route linking the Peddars Way National Trail in Suffolk with the Ridgeway National Trail in Buckinghamshire, which in turn links with the Wessex Ridgeway.'

Tom Chevalier

'Circular walks of 5 or 2.5 miles from Cholesbury near Wendover past an Iron Age hillfort and through woodland and farmland.'

Chilterns AONB

'Wales has long been a popular destination for walkers, and with some justification – the rugged peaks of Snowdonia and the majestic Brecon Beacons in particular. But other areas also have plenty to offer. For those walkers with an interest in history and archaeology a series of self-guided walks is being developed to help them explore a range of archaeological sites.'

The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

'Discover prehistoric sites and rare species preserved on Salisbury Plain.'

Discovering Britain

'We have created a series of archaeology audio trails around the Yorkshire Dales ... Our aims are to increase your enjoyment of the Yorkshire Dales and to help you understand more about the unique cultural landscape of the area created through the interactions of people and nature over thousands of years.'

Out of Oblivion

'Suggests a few walks for those interested in visiting the ancient settlements and antiquities such as stone rows and stone circles on Dartmoor. The walks featured are all based on the use of public transport.'

'Check with TravelineSW before travelling !'

'Sundon Hills and The Sharpenhoe Clappers are part of the Chilterns AONB. The ancient Icknield Way, said to be the oldest path in Britain, runs across the Sundon Hills and there is an Iron Age settlement to the North of the site ...' (The Walk originally referenced here no longer seems to be accessible via the Let's Go Bedfordshire Website.  So I have replaced the Link.)

Sharpenhoe - National Trust

'Snowdonia is immersed in archaeological history and within the boundaries of the National Park there are sites of archaeological interest showing how people inhabited the area through the years. There are a number of key areas where visitors and locals can trace archaeological developments and see for themselves the historical importance assigned to this area ... ' Note Link replaced as that from Snowdonia National Park Authority seems no longer accessible.

Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

'The South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership brings together people from many interests and backgrounds in an inspiring programme to learn about, care for and enjoy this special place. When you stand on the South Dorset Ridgeway you are surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in England.  Everywhere you look you see history in the landscape; this is one of the most important pre-historic landscapes in Europe.'

South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership

South Dorset Ridgeway [National Trails]

The original Link I had about The Tinners Way from the Save Penwith Moors Website seems to have been removed (but it was to a reprint of a 1994 Booklet). So I have replaced it with a Link to Oliver's Cornwall's detailed coverage Zennor Churchway and Tinners Way.

Oliver’s Cornwall

Zennor Churchway and Tinners Way

'Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Jurassic Coast Team have pulled together a series of lovely short walks for you to enjoy.'

Jurassic Coast Trust

'A route, originally created by Wiltshire Ramblers with assistance from Wiltshire Council, through Pewsey, Marlborough, Broad Town, Cherhill, Devizes, Steeple Ashton and Bratton providing views of the eight white horses which are cut into the turf of the chalk hillsides of Wiltshire. As well as visiting many other historic and prehistoric locations, passing close to the start of the Ridgeway, use was made of part of the Kennet and Avon Canal.'

The Long Distance Walkers Association