Explore the Past: Ancient England

From the infamous image of Henry VIII adorned in lavish attire to the impressive dome of St Paul’s Cathedral standing tall against London’s modern skyline, many of England's historical icons are relatively recent. It’s easy to overlook that this land has been inhabited for thousands of years.

With its sophisticated Roman settlements and enigmatic stone circles, this ancient era evokes a unique sense of wonder, piquing our curiosity. While England may not receive the same reverence as Egypt or Greece, it has its own captivating tales and remarkable sites waiting to be explored.

So relax and journey back in time through ancient England.

Celebrate the solstice at Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Beginning your exploration of ancient England anywhere but Stonehenge would be a missed opportunity.

Comparable in significance and age to the Great Pyramid of Giza, this iconic stone circle has graced the chalk plateau of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire for approximately 5000 years, offering a glimpse into a mysterious era that few can truly understand. The construction of Stonehenge unfolded over a millennium, traversing the Neolithic and Bronze ages, with its initial phase starting around 3000 BCE and the massive sarsen stones being meticulously added until around 1600 BCE.

The reasons for its existence remain a mystery, especially considering the immense labor involved in building Stonehenge. Nonetheless, it remains a must-see landmark for anyone visiting the UK.

The captivating Visitor Center features audiovisual exhibits detailing the site's extensive history, alongside displays of medieval arrowhead discoveries and a realistic model of a Neolithic man interred in a nearby long barrow.

A thin rope barrier, located about 14m (15yd) from the stones, prevents close access; however, you can reserve in advance for the Stone Circle Experience, allowing you to roam among the stones for approximately 45 minutes after hours.

Visitors are also permitted inside during the summer and winter solstices each June and December, when the stones align to create breathtaking silhouettes of sunlight at dawn and dusk—if the weather permits, of course, as this is Britain we're talking about.

Your visit can be complemented by a trip to the awe-inspiring Avebury Stone Circle, the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world, located just 40km (25 miles) to the north amid Wiltshire's picturesque countryside.

Stroll through the fields at Maiden Castle, Dorset

Despite its name featuring the term 'castle,' Maiden Castle is not a castle in the traditional sense.

As one of Europe’s largest and most intricate Iron Age hillforts, Maiden Castle was built around 600 BCE and is one of 31 hillforts in Dorset. Enclosed by formidable chalk ramparts on a 49-hectare (120-acre) hilltop, it served as a significant fortified settlement for centuries, likely housing multiple self-sufficient farming communities.

When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 CE, Maiden Castle remained occupied, although there is no definitive evidence that the Romans ever besieged it (a burial site containing 52 skeletons was discovered, though).

Currently, there is a parking area just a few hundred feet from Maiden Castle, and a straightforward trail meanders through a grassy field toward the impressive hill's stepped contours, providing a tangible sense of the site's immense scale.

For more ancient discoveries in the area, the nearby Nine Stones standing stone circle is just a short drive away. Additionally, a 30-minute drive south leads to Portland Castle, a 16th-century artillery fort built by Henry VIII that seems almost modern compared to Maiden Castle.

Relax in the tranquility of Castlerigg Stone Circle, Lake District

Though it may not rival Stonehenge in fame, the stunning setting of Castlerigg Stone Circle in the Lake District makes it just as unforgettable.

Encircled by heather-covered hills, misty mountains, and dense forests, it’s no wonder this ancient site is one of the most photographed in the UK and inspired lyrical tributes from poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. The stones themselves date back 3,000 to 4,000 years and are glacial erratics made of volcanic rock, arranged in a flattened circle measuring 32m (107ft) at its widest point.

Similar to Stonehenge, the purpose of Castlerigg remains a mystery, though it might have served as a trading hub or a site for religious ceremonies.

Situated approximately 2.4km (1.5 miles) east of lively Keswick, the stone circle can be accessed via a looped walk from the town, providing a delightful stroll on a pleasant day.

In general, it's a tranquil location with no admission fee or guided historical tours – just a stunning prehistoric site set in one of England's most picturesque areas.

For a truly memorable experience, consider visiting on a clear day at sunrise or sunset with your camera to capture stunning golden hour shots, avoiding the crowds typically found at Stonehenge.

Discover Roman Britain at Wroxeter Roman City in Shropshire

While it’s hard to imagine today, this small cluster of ruins in rural Shropshire was once the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain, home to around 15,000 residents.

Indeed, Wroxeter Roman City (Viroconium Cornoviorum) was comparable in size to Pompeii and served as a strategic base for legionaries to launch campaigns in western Britain. As it expanded, this frontier outpost evolved into a typical Roman town, highlighted by a grand bathhouse that showcased Roman values of cleanliness and hygiene. Its wealth stemmed from its central location along trade routes, near Wales.

The city waned following the end of Roman governance in Britain, yet its rural setting, distant from expanding industrial areas, allowed the site to remain largely preserved despite the loss of its structures.

This includes the Old Work, a standing 7m-high (23ft) wall from the Bath House, which is the largest free-standing Roman wall in the UK.

There's also a visitor center featuring a museum that displays various everyday items used by the inhabitants, such as perfume bottles, bone jewelry, and – intriguingly – a collection of tweezers for removing armpit hair. Directly across from the Bath House stands a meticulously reconstructed townhouse, built using only the tools and materials available during Roman times.

The site hosts events with guided tours available for advance booking.

Stroll through the streets of Chysauster Ancient Village in Cornwall

Situated on a grassy moor overlooking Cornwall's windswept Land's End Peninsula near Penzance, Chysauster Ancient Village exemplifies what could be described as a 'Romano-British' settlement.

Spanning the late Iron Age to the Roman invasion of Britain, this farming village was established around 100 BCE and thrived until the 3rd century CE. It mainly features about 10 courtyard houses lining a central “street,” likely inhabited by farmers raising goats and pigs and cultivating cereal crops in the nearby fields, with the settlement probably being unfortified.

At their peak, the stone houses would have boasted thatched roofs and were arranged in orderly rows. Today, the stone remnants of the walls remain, offering stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean as you explore the area.

A 15-space parking area is available close to the site, with a narrow half-mile tree-lined trail leading through fields to Chysauster Ancient Village (complete with a shop midway). Keep an eye out for the “fogou,” an unusual underground passage that might have served as storage, shelter, or a site for rituals. The air of mystery surrounding these ancient locations often adds to their allure.

If you're journeying through Cornwall, be sure to visit King Arthur's Hall – an intriguing megalithic enclosure situated on Bodmin Moor.