OTHER EXTRAORDINARY NEOLITHIC SITES...
1. Knap of Howar Orkney
Two superbly preserved early Neolithic houses in sand dunes. They are entered by short stoneroofed corridors to protect them from Atlantic gales. Constructed around 3600 BC, they are about five centuries older than the Neolithic houses at Skara Brae. Free. Open daily. Papa Westray, KW17 2BU. historicenvironment.scot
4. Wayland’s Smithy Oxfordshire
A fine chambered long barrow in a wooded setting a short walk off the Ridgeway, about a mile from the Bronze Age Uffington White Horse. The site was built in two phases, first around 3570 BC, then a century later. It is this later tomb that visitors can see. Free. Open daily. Near Ashbury, SN6 8NX. english-heritage.org.uk
7. Hambledon Hill Dorset
Part of a national nature reserve, this site is best known for its large Iron Age hillfort, the ramparts of which dominate the steep-sided hill. But within the hillfort are the well-preserved remains of two causewayed enclosures and at least two Neolithic long barrows. Free. Open daily. Child Okeford, DT11 8HD. 01297 489481, nationaltrust.org.uk
2. Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae Orkney
The best preserved Neolithic and early Bronze Age landscape in Europe (allow two to three days). Sites include the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, the Stones of Stenness, the chambered tomb of Maes Howe and the Skara Brae settlement. All sites are open daily, most are free. Skara Brae, £7.50. Sandwick, KW16 3LR. historicenvironment.scot
5. Belas Knap Gloucestershire
Excavated in Victorian times, this chambered long barrow was has been well restored recently. The excavators discovered the remains of 31 individuals. The site is located just off the Cotswold Way National Trail, with good access for walkers and cyclists. Free. Open daily. Near Winchcombe, GL54 5AL. english-heritage.org.uk
8. The Museum of London
Collections include Neolithic pottery vessels, as well as polished stone axes and mace heads, many dredged from the Thames when it was deepened for shipping in the 19th and 20th centuries. These items had probably been placed in the river as offerings. Free. Open daily. EC2Y 5HN. 020 7001 9844, museumoflondon.org.uk
3. Grime’s Graves Norfolk
This Neolithic site is the only flint mine in Britain open to the public. Visitors (but not children under 10) can enter the deep mines to see the jet-black flint. The shaft open to the public is one of over 400 that were dug 5,000 years ago. £4.60. Open to 1 October. Lynford, IP26 5DE. 01842 810656, english-heritage.org.uk
6. Castlerigg Stone Circle Cumbria
This impressive stone circle in a dramatic Lake District setting was erected around 3000 BC; its alignment may have had astronomical significance. Note the large stones on either side of the entrance and the very rare setting of four stones in the interior. Free. Open daily. Near Keswick, CA12 4RN. 0370 333 1181. english-heritage.org.uk
9. Callanish Stones Outer Hebrides
These standing stones on the Isle of Lewis are arranged in a cross shape, with a 5,000-year-old central stone circle. Erected in the late Neolithic era, they were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age. The visitor centre has a Story of the Stones exhibition. Free. Open daily. Callanish, HS2 9DY. callanishvisitorcentre.co.uk