Top Ancient Sites in Somerset

Somerset is a rural county in South West England, offering a wide range of prehistoric landscapes in addition to impressive ancient sites. The county has a long history of settlement and is known to have been settled from Palaeolithic times. It's steeped in history and folklore, making it the perfect place to explore England's past. Here is a list of the top ancient sites in this amazing county.


GLASTONBURY TOR

Glastonbury Tor is certainly one of the most iconic ancient sites in England. It's a hill with a 14th century tower on its top which is all that remains of St. Michael's Church. Glastonbury Tor is a conical hill that rises 158m above the Avalon Marshes. Its peculiar shape is due to a combination of the unusual geology and the distinctive terraces surrounding the hill. The top of the hill is formed from a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. These rocks sit upon clay and limestones deposited during the early Jurassic Period. Read more about Glastonbury Tor.



STANTON DREW STONE CIRCLES AND COVE

Stanton Drew Stone Circles is considered to be one of the largest Neolithic monument to have been built in Britain. The monument was built about 4,500 years ago. Although being the third largest complex of standing stones in England, the site doesn't receive the same level of interest and exploration as the more famous stone circles at Avebury and Stonehenge. In 1740 the site was surveyed by the antiquarian John Wood, who suggested the layout was based on the Pythagorean planetary system of worlds. According to this theory, the number and position of the stones correspond to the solar, lunar and earth cycles. Astronomical alignments and ley lines are common theories to explain the positioning of the stones at Stanton Drew. However, recent surveys have revealed that the circles and cove were part of a much more elaborate and important ritual site than had previously been imagined. The Cove is a group of three large stones located in the garden of the village pub. It has been shown to be around 1000 years older than the stone circles.



STONEY LITTLETON LONG BARROW

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow also known as Bath Tumulus is a Neolithic chambered tomb constructed around 3500 BC. The monument contains multiple burial chambers that were excavated in 1816. The excavations uncovered human bones and artefacts. Stones like Blue Lias and Forest Marble were used in the construction of the monument. The passage and the entrance are roughly aligned towards the midwinter sunrise. A fossil ammonite impression can be seen on the left hand door jamb as you enter the monument.



FLAGSTAFF HILL

Flagstaff Hill is a hill that was once part of a shrunken medieval village known as Christon. The Hill contains well defined earthworks, representing building platforms and terraces. It also contains an ancient stone row which it's believed to be part of an older settlement, possibly from the Saxon period.



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