Prehistoric Wessex Trail
This route runs through the West Country of England. From approximately the 6th to 10th centuries, the area was the Kingdom of Wessex.
Understand
Explore Prehistoric Wessex - this trail links the most significant archaeological sites and museums in Wiltshire and Dorset.
Prepare
Find out more about prehistoric sites and museums in Wiltshire from this guide to Prehistoric Wiltshire
Get in
By bus
To Devizes, West Kennet, Silbury Hill and Avebury
By train
To Salisbury
- By train from London
To Dorchester
- By train from London
By car
- From the M4 at Swindon via Marlborough
To Salisbury
- From the A303 take the A338 to Salisbury
To Dorchester
- From the M3, take the A31 to Ringwood and then the A35.
Go
- West Kennet Long Barrow
The most impressive and accessible Neolithic chambered tomb in Britain. Built in around 3650 BC, nearly 50 people were buried in its five stone-built chambers.
- Silbury Hill
The largest man-made mound in Europe, mysterious Silbury Hill compares in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids.
With its huge circular bank and ditch and circles of standing stones, Avebury is at the centre of a remarkable complex of monuments, including the West Kennet Avenue.
New for summer 2013 - Prehistoric Wiltshire displays, telling the story of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site
- Durrington Walls
A massive henge, the site of the recent discovery of Neolithic houses, where the people who gathered from across Britain to build Stonehenge may have lived.
- Stonehenge
The most sophisticated stone circle in the world, at the centre of a remarkable sacred landscape. Includes the cursus, a 3km long earthwork and the Avenue, leading from the River Avon.
- Old Sarum
The original site of Salisbury – the remains of a Norman castle and cathedral, set within the impressive earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort.
Salisbury Museum is home to the famous ‘Amesbury Archer’ and unique finds from Durrington Walls and Stonehenge. A new gallery dedicated to the archaeology of Wessex will open in spring 2014.
- Dorset Cursus
Remains of the banks and ditches of a Neolithic cursus that runs for six miles, surrounded by barrow cemeteries. Contact in advance to arrange a visit to the private museum at Down Farm, and for a landscape tour.
- Ancient Technology Centre
Visit during a special open day to take a step back in time. Experience the realities of daily life in the past and learn ancient skills in an authentic landscape.
- Knowlton henge
An impressive Neolithic henge, with a Norman church built inside the bank and ditch. You can also see other nearby barrows and burial mounds.
- Maiden Castle
The largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe. Multiple ramparts once protected an important settlement, but the site has 4,000 years of history, from a Neolithic causewayed enclosure to a small Roman temple.