Prehistoric sites in Dorset, England

Dorset Travel Guide
A guide to Dorset, England, highlighting attractions, history, and visitor information.
Home > England > Dorset > Ancient sites
SITE MAP

Home
Accommodation
 Hotels
 Hostels
 B&B
 Self catering
Attractions
 England
  Dorset

Travel Guide

Gazetteer

Ancient Sites
Castles
Countryside
Gardens
Historic Houses
Museums

Travel Resources
Tourist Information Centres
Travel links

Accommodation
Dorset Hotels
Bed & Breakfast
Self Catering


 Scotland
 Wales
 London
Travel Services
 Tours
 Rail Tickets
 Car Rental
Tourist Info Centres
 England
 Scotland
 Wales
Heritage
 History
 Culture
Travel Directory
 England
 Wales
 Scotland
 B&B
 Hotels
 Tour Operators
 Car Rental
 Walking Holidays
 Waterways  Holidays
 more....
About
 Contact
 About us
spacer
  
England
Dorset Gloucestershire map

Prehistoric Sites

Badbury Rings
One mile from Shapwick, off the B3082 between Wimborne Minster and Blandford Forum.

Contained within the considerable estates of Kingston Lacy House is this Iron Age hillfort, surrounded by three concentric ditches and ramparts. It has been conjectured that Badbury is the site of Mons Badonicus (Mount Badon) - the great battle at which King Arthur defeated the advancing Germanic tribes of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in the late 5th or early 6th century. More about Badbury Rings >>

Cerne Abbas GiantCerne Abbas Giant
At Cerne Abbas, near Dorchester
The striking giant of Cerne Abbas is a 180 foot high figure of a man bearing a 121 foot long club, incised into the chalk of the hillside. It has been speculated that the giant may have carried a cloak over his left arm and gripped a severed head in his left hand. If that is so, no evidence of either head or cloak now remains. More about the Cerne Abbas Giant >>

Maiden Castle
1 m SW Dorchester, Dorset, off A354
Maiden Castle is the largest and most famous pre-Roman fortress in Britain. The site is not a "castle" in the medieval sense of the term, but a hilltop enclosure defended by high banks and ditches. Maiden Castle is nearly 47 acres in size, with banks as high as 80 feet. The term "maiden" may be misleading; it derives from the pre-Celtic (Brythonic) term "mai dun", which is usually translated as "great hill", but may also be rendered as "principle fort".
In 43 AD the Romans under Vespasian besieged the "castle" and defeated the Celtic Durotriges defenders in a fierce battle. More about Maiden Castle >>


Dorset Travel Guide

Dorset Overview - Dorset Tourist Information Centres - Dorset travel links

Attractions in Dorset - categories
Ancient Sites - Castles - Countryside - Gardens - Historic Houses - Towns & Villages Gazetteer

Featured attractions
Abbotsbury Swannery - Badbury Rings - Cerne Abbas Giant - Chesil Bank - Corfe Castle - Isle of Portland - Lyme Regis - Maiden Castle - Milton Abbas - Poole - Portland Castle - Rufus Castle - Shaftesbury - Sherborne - Weymouth

Dorset Photos
Abbottsbury - Abbottsbury Sub Tropical Gardens - Chesil Bank - Lyme Regis

Suggested Itineraries
Thomas Hardy's Dorset

Accommodation
Hotels in Dorset - Self Catering Cottages in Dorset

  


Accommodation
Dorset

The Orchard

Loders
Self catering cottage

The Orchard offers one double room, one twin room and a bunk bedroom. The cottage also offers kitchen and bathroom facilities and comfortable living … more >>
Sleeps 6

More cottages in Dorset >>


Dorset

End House

Lulworth Cove
Self catering cottage

This detached property offers 3 bedrooms including 1 double room, 1 twin room and 1 single room and can sleep up to 6 people. … more >>
Sleeps 6

More cottages in Dorset >>



Bournemouth (Hotel)

The Roundhouse Hotel

The Roundhouse Hotel is ideally situated, adjacent to the town's shops, clubs and restaurants, but only 5 minutes from East Cliff Beach. The hotel has its own private car park which is free to guests. All 192 bedrooms are well appointed rooms whilst Waves Restaurant, Bar and Terrace are open … more >>

More hotels in Dorset >>


Bournemouth (Hotel)

Inver House Hotel

The Inver House Hotel is an elegant town house, desirably situated upon the West Cliff of Bournemouth, just one minute walk away from the beach and five minutes to the town centre. All of the 28 en-suite bedrooms are fully equipped with television, DVD player and tea and coffee making … more >>

More hotels in Dorset >>