WHAT ARE THE THORNBOROUGH HENGES?
Thornborough Henges is a unique triple henge complex, immediately adjacent to Nosterfield Nature Reserve. The Central and South Henges now the responsibility of English Heritage. Created from local glacial deposits containing magnesium limestone, the central henge has formed a rare magnesium limestone grassland habitat. Increasingly over the years the henge banks have been eroded and only pockets of this rare habitat remain.
Working with Tarmac and English Heritage, the Lower Ure Conservation Trust is helping to protect and restore the rare limestone flora that has been present on the henges for centuries.
WHAT WE’LL BE DOING:
As part of Heritage Open Days, we’ll be undertaking some habitat conservation work on the Thornborough Henges, cutting and raking off some of the rougher grass areas to improve the special wildflower and grassland habitat.
WHERE TO MEET:
Please meet by the gate to the Middle Henge at 11am.
It is possible to park on the road by the middle henge gate but please be aware that parking is limited and may be busy on the day. It is also possible to park in Nosterfield Nature Reserve car park and walk over, but this will take about 20minutes (see map below).
Event details:
The event is taking place on Saturday 16th September 2023, from 11:00am until around 1:00pm.
All ages welcome!
Gloves & equipment will be provided
Wear sensible footwear and clothes you don't mind getting dirty
Bring drinking water
Tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided!
Locations:
Middle Henge address: Thornborough Henges, Moor Lane, West Tanfield, North Yorkshire, DL8 2RA
Middle Henge What3Words: rider.drive.adopters
Nosterfield Nature Reserve car park address: Moor Lane, West Tanfield, DL8 2QZ
Nosterfield Nature Reserve car park What3Words: encoding.secure.chill
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
In addition to the Community Work Day, our friends at English Heritage are offering guided tours of the Central and South Henges. The tours will explain about the uniqueness of the henges and the creativity of our ancestors who built them, as well as what is being done to repair some of the more recent damage.
The Central Henge Tour will give an overall view of the henge’s complex development and feature specific points of interest, both archaeological and ecological. The South Henge Tour will focus on the archaeological features of the area around the South Henge and the henge itself.
The tour times are as follows:
Central Henge Tour: 11am - 12pm
South Henge Tour: 1pm - 2pm
Central Henge Tour: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main site is free to explore but the tours must be pre-booked
Booking Contact: Jess Whitfield.
Email: jess.whitfield@english-heritage.org.uk
Booking opens: 1 August 2023 00:00
Booking closes: 13 September 2023 00:00
Further info: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/tours-at-thornborough
Get in touch:
If you have any questions about this event please get in touch with Emma Higgs, Project Manager, at emma.higgs@luct.org.uk