Normanton Down

Downs, Moorland in Wiltshire

England

Normanton Down

Long barrow at Winterbourne Stoke The largest of a group of ancient monuments close to the crossroads of the A303 and A360. Scheduled Ancient Monument no. 1011841. — Long barrow at Winterbourne Stoke Credit: Stephen Craven

Normanton Down is a well-known archaeological site located in Wiltshire, England. Situated on the edge of the Salisbury Plain, this area encompasses a mix of downs and moorland, making it a unique and diverse landscape. The site covers an area of approximately 100 hectares and is of significant historical importance.

Normanton Down is renowned for its Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. The most notable feature is the impressive collection of over 40 round barrows, which are burial mounds dating back to 2600-1600 BC. These barrows are scattered across the landscape and provide valuable insights into the burial practices and beliefs of the ancient inhabitants.

In addition to the barrows, there are also evidence of settlement remains in the form of hut circles and enclosures. These structures indicate that Normanton Down was once a thriving community, with evidence of occupation spanning several millennia.

The site has been subject to extensive archaeological investigations, including excavations and surveys, which have uncovered a wealth of artifacts and information. These findings have contributed significantly to our understanding of the prehistoric period in this region.

Normanton Down is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity. The area supports a variety of plant species, including orchids, and is home to several bird species such as skylarks and stonechats.

Due to its historical and ecological significance, Normanton Down is protected by law and managed by relevant authorities to ensure its preservation for future generations to appreciate and study.

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Normanton Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.169229/-1.8321344 or Grid Reference SU1141. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Long barrow at Winterbourne Stoke

The largest of a group of ancient monuments close to the crossroads of the A303 and A360. Scheduled Ancient Monument no. 1011841.

Stephen Craven

Tumulus near Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Heel Stone and Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Stonehenge with approaching storm

Anthony Parkes

Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Tumulus on Normanton Down

Seen from the A303.

Trevor Harris

Arable fields by the A303

On Salisbury Plain, South of the road and just east of Longbarrow Cross Roads.

Trevor Harris

Students sitting on Stonehenge stones, 1926

Original 127 size print shows one upright sarsen with no cap, but there are heavy fingerprints on the top of the stone in the print, so it has been cropped. The people are students from University College London, at the time it was normal to touch and even sit on the stones.

John A Hawgood

Heel Stone with Cut Benchmark Visible

A cut Ordnance Survey benchmark is visible in this shot about 0.3m up from the ground, slightly right of centre (central to and slightly above the grey and yellow patches of lichen). There is at least one other cut benchmark on the main stone circle too. They were carved in the days before such acts were considered to be vandalism.

Paul Collins

Dew Pond near Stonehenge

Once a common sight on dry downland pastures, you can still find dew ponds from time to time. Clay lined to collect rainfall, they were often the only source of drinking water for livestock.

Des Blenkinsopp

Fargo Plantation

Part of the National Trust's Stonehenge Landscape site. This area is not very well wooded, and what trees there are tend to be confined into small plantations like this one.

Des Blenkinsopp

Tumulus in Fargo Plantation

There are dozens of these Bronze Age burial mounds all around Stonehenge, which is why the whole area is a protected landscape in the care of the National Trust.

Des Blenkinsopp

Tumulus and Gate

There are dozens of these burial mounds all around Stonehenge. They come in various shapes and sizes. These two are some of the larger ones and are fenced off in their own enclosure.

Des Blenkinsopp

Bus To The Stones

One of the buses which take visitors on the 2 km trip between Stonehenge and the Visitor Centre. Quite a few people go on foot, especially on a nice day like this, hence the walkway along the roadside. The buses are the only regular traffic along what used to be the A344, a former main road which has now been closed.

Des Blenkinsopp

Memorial to an Aviator

A short distance away from a similar memorial outside the Stonehenge Visitor Centre to two pioneer airmen who crashed near there in 1912, this roadside cross is in memory of Major Alexander William Hewetson who was killed whilst flying on the 17th July 1913.

Des Blenkinsopp

English Heritage Land Rover at Stonehenge

A very clean looking vehicle belonging to English Heritage who look after Stonehenge.

Des Blenkinsopp

Visitors by the Heel Stone

A single sarsen standing stone a short distance away from the main stone circle, the Heel Stone marks the place on the horizon where the summer solstice sunrise appears when viewed from the centre of the stone circle.

Des Blenkinsopp

Crows at Stonehenge

There don't seem to be any pigeons at Stonehenge. The crow family, crows, rooks and jackdaws, seem to have the business of scrounging off visitors all to themselves here. Some are quite tame and will perch on you arm if you've got anything to eat. The main stone circle is just behind me, with a small outlying stone and some earthworks visible here at the edge of the site.

Des Blenkinsopp

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Normanton Down is located at Grid Ref: SU1141 (Lat: 51.169229, Lng: -1.8321344)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire