Archaeological sites United Kingdom

A mecca for tourism, history, heritage and mystery, Stonehenge is on the bucket list of many visitors to the UK. It is surely Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. Immortalized in literature and film on numerous occasions, it is a Unesco World Heritage Site that still holds all its secrets. Indeed, there are still many questions as to why these enormous monoliths were placed there in the first place, and what techniques were used to move them. Recent renovations have seen the grassing over of a road that had spoiled the site's charm, and the construction of a new on-site museum that will tell you all you need to know about the site. While you can't get within 5 metres of the stones to ensure their preservation, you can admire them from the path around them and soak up their mystical beauty. Immerse yourself in this atmosphere and step back in time to the Neolithic era with the help of the excellent commentary on the audio guide, which will take you around the stones following the different orientations of the sun. A timeless experience.

Don't forget to book your visit online to guarantee admission. A shuttle bus from the modern visitor center can take you to the stone circle, 2 km away. Alternatively, you can take a walk and soak up the sights.

The site's history dates back some 5,000 years. Stonehenge was a Neolithic place of worship and burial, consisting of a ditch and an embankment. 4,000 years ago, the bluestones were brought down from the mountains of south-west Wales, and 500 years later, they were installed at the center of the circle of standing stones we see today, which originate from the Malborough Downs, some 30 km away. The site may have become a Druidic ceremonial place, but its origins are Celtic.

When the Celtic people, of Indo-European origins, arrived in Europe in the first millennium BC, Stonehenge was already abandoned. The Greek writer Ephoros describes the Celtic people as one of the four most remarkable barbarian civilizations, along with the Libyans, Persians and Scythians.

Reputed to be curious, intellectual, creative and resistant to any organized system, they undermined all the states of antiquity, without ever creating one themselves. Their favorite literary form was poetry, transmitted orally.

A must on this site: come on a solstice day when the sun is aligned with the axis of the megaliths.

The Neolithic dwellings in Barnhouse Village were probably occupied by those who built Maeshowe and the foundations give a good impression of what the houses looked like at the time. 1.5 km further on you will find the very romantic Ring of Brodgar. Its monoliths are said to be between 3,500 and 4,000 years old. Sitting enthroned in the heather, 27 of the original 60 are still visible. Between the two sites, you will pass the Ness of Bodgar, still under excavation.

This fascinating discovery centre reproduces daily life in the Iron Age, with the complete reconstruction of a dwelling of the time, called a crannog, which was erected on the surface of a loch. 4 of the 18 buildings are still present, out of the original 18. The remains that have been found are also on display and form real treasures, more than 2,500 years old. The visit is very instructive and fun thanks to the presence of costumed guides.

Fascinating reconstruction of an Iron Age fort. In each of the round, thatched houses, the interiors are reconstructed, based on the speculations of archaeologists. Very little information remains about the life of Iron Age man. In the houses, guides bake bread or spin wool, passionately recounting what we think we know about the period. Many discoveries about Iron Age techniques and knowledge were made during the construction of the site. Breathtaking!

The Calanais Standing Stones are among the best preserved prehistoric sites in the country. These stones were erected around 3,000 years before our era, in the shape of a cross around a circle of 13 monoliths. In the centre stands a 4.8m menhir, next to which a tomb was added generations later. Although we do not really know what happened here, some archaeologists have put forward the hypothesis of an astronomical observatory. The Callanish visitor centre aims to interpret the history of the site through its small retrospective exhibition.

The Standing Stones of Stenness would have been erected 5,000 years ago. They belong to a series of domestic and ritual monuments. There were twelve standing stones on this site, but only four remain today. Their forms and stature are absolutely stunning and the highest is 6 m high. A path perpendicular to the road and parallel to the field where they are located leads in a short time to Barnhouse Village, another site to visit if you are interested in Prehistory.

This stone circle is an impressive Neolithic site. It offers to see six stone circles. Erected monoliths, cairns, burial cists and circles marking habitation or plots are visible. They bear witness to a dwelling dating from 3500 to 1500 BC. These stone circles were associated with religious activities estimated at -4500 BC. You will have to walk a little from the car park to see the stones (a walk of about an hour).

An underground complex formed by three impressive cellars, including Dan-yr-Ogof, the largest cave open to the public in Great Britain. This complex of caves has been carved into the permeable limestone layers that make up the southern Beacon subsoil. And for the youngest or most enthusiastic, there is even a dinosaur park with about 220 animals. It's very well suited for children: interactive and a little informative; they love it!

The Giant's Ring Dolmen is a tomb composed of five upright stones and one large corner stone, in the center of a vast circle of almost perfect earthwork and about 200 meters in diameter. "The Giant's Ring is believed to date from the Neolithic period, around 2700 BC.

Giant's Ring Trail : it's a marked trail of about 1h30 (5 km) which starts from the Minnowburn parking lot, not far from Shaw's bridge, and which leads you to the dolmen with spectacular views over the Lagan valley. Not to be missed to stretch your legs.

You will have to check the tides before going to this small island, whose access depends entirely on them. There are interesting Pictish and Viking remains, although much more recent than all the neighbouring attractions. The area was densely populated between the 7th and 13th centuries and witnesses to the past include a large Celtic stone (a replica, the original is on display in Edinburgh), ruins of Scandinavian dwellings and a Romanesque church. The info point contains information and objects found during excavations.

Built between 500 and 200 BC, this Iron Age site is admirably well preserved and complete for its great age. A brooch is a construction unique to Scotland of this period and formed a defensive tower to protect the villagers from frequent raids. There are about 500 brochs left in the whole country and this one is one of the most impressive and remarkable in the country. Surrounded by dwellings, the whole site is spread over 45m and surrounded by a moat. The small museum displays everything that has been found on the site.

Discovered in September 2010, this Neolithic tomb is still being excavated today. It is believed to be 5,000 years old and contained otter bones, in addition to the human remains that have been exhumed. Many are still present, clearly visible, and belonged to both adults and children. The visitor centre reveals the secrets that have already been uncovered and exhibits some of the discoveries. It is located a few minutes from the Tomb of Eagles: the two visits often go hand in hand and are recommended.

Some 5,000 years of history were unveiled here when Ronnie Simison, a local farmer, discovered two major prehistoric sites on the island by digging under horizontal stones that intrigued him. The first is a vast Bronze Age ruin, probably a dwelling or meeting place. The second is a very elaborate Stone Age tomb. Excavations have uncovered many artifacts and as many as 16,000 human bones, as well as a few eagles, which gave the attraction its name.

This stone, attributed to the Picts, is one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland. Indeed, no one has ever been able to know who built this building, when and what it was used for. The only certainty is that there was once a Pictish fort at Burghead, built between 2000 and 1500 BC. It has been said that this hollow was once a well. The current hypotheses are: a sanctuary for Celtic water deities, a place of ritual execution, an early Christian baptistry or a Pictish cult space.

Archaeological sites and Celtic shrines along the way recall the passage of Irish settlers along the coast. There are remains of the chapel of St. Patrick, who went to preach the divine word on the Green Island; the Warrior's Dyke, a defensive rampart dating from the Iron Age (750 BC to 100 AD); the Coetan Arthur, a Neolithic burial chamber and two other cromlechs at the top of Carn Llidi, at an altitude of 181 metres. From the volcanic promontory of St. David's Head, there are superb views of Ramsey Island.

Just off the A4080, 3.2 km northwest of Aberffraw. This prehistoric burial chamber has the peculiarity of having incisions on its stones, zigzags, spirals and diamonds. It is likely that these primitive drawings are a representation of the mother goddess. If you would like to visit the interior of the room, please contact the Wayside Stores in Llanfaelog by phone, ideally a little early! The visit is worth the detour.

Let us take you on a half-day tour of Stonehenge, one of England's most mysterious sites. Comfortably seated in your purple minibus, you'll be able to observe the splendid surrounding countryside while enjoying the commentary of your driver and guide, who will be delighted to pass on his knowledge of the area and answer any questions you may have. The tour lasts a total of 4 hours, from pick-up to return to the city. The meeting point is in front of the Abbey Hotel in the center of Bath.

Let us take you on a half-day tour of Stonehenge, one of England's most mysterious sites. Comfortably seated in your purple minibus, you'll be able to observe the splendid surrounding countryside while enjoying the commentary of your driver and guide, who will be delighted to pass on his knowledge of the area and answer any questions you may have. The tour lasts a total of 4 hours, from pick-up to return to the city. The meeting point is in front of the Abbey Hotel in the center of Bath.

It is one of the most beautiful tombs of this type in Europe, among those built about 5,000 years ago. The entrance passage to Maeshowe is aligned with the mid-winter sunset, so that light illuminates the interior of the tomb. Vikings broke into Maeshowe in the mid 12th century, long after it had fallen into disuse and oblivion. They too left their mark on the site: this time in the form of graffiti carved in runes on the walls of the main chamber.