Thornborough Henges
You’ve heard of Stonehenge, but do you really know what a “henge” is? And did you realise that England possesses more than just the stone one in Wiltshire? The Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire are part of a major Neolithic site, a “sacred vale” covering an area of nearly twenty miles, rivalling Stonehenge in importance. (To see our 360º panorama of Stonehenge, click here.) The Thornborough site consists of three henges (flat, circular areas delineated by a ditch and bank), each of which is so large that it could contain 10 Stonehenges within its circumference. Such is their scale that it’s like having three massive cathedrals adjacent to each other, and we can only wonder about how many people came to worship here and from how far away. A walkway underneath the central henge is believed to have been constructed in about 3500BC and is in direct alignment with the constellation of Orion, giving Thornborough a claim to be one of the world’s first astrologically centred monuments. In February 2006, this amazing site, threatened by a plan to extract gravel, was saved following a campaign by conservationists.
NOMINATION 1021 OF 1160
This is a wonderful sacred site, every bit as important as Stonehenge!
Kate Hulme-Sheffield
I have not been there yet, but I will because these are my ancestor's henges. They are part of my family's past and I would like it to be their for my grandchildren to see and enjoy.
Phillip Thornbro
I visited Thornborough during a recent holiday in the N Yorks moors. I was appalled and disgusted by the state of the site. It is clear that there has been real attempts to hide the site, by removal of signs to the village. Further there is no access, with all gates locked and no stiles. The henges themselves are in a disgraceful conditions with broken and rusting fences and farm machinery, ruining the effect and rabbit warrend damaging the structure. There is no signage and without maps and prior access to the internet. I found it impossible to work out which henge was which to the point that I was unable to find the third (wooded) henge. Despite these ignominies the two henges have incredible presence and I recommend that as many people as possible climb the gates and visit them, carefully and with the respect they deserve. The thought that this wonderful legacy could be further damaged by the proposed quarrying is horrific. Please support the campaigns to get these magnificent monuments and the landscape in which they lie protected.
Keith
Keith Ball
