<< Our Photo Pages >> Thornborough N - Henge in England in Yorkshire (North)

Submitted by Mark_Williamson on Tuesday, 17 September 2024  Page Views: 17255

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Thornborough N Alternative Name: Thornborough North, Camp Wood
Country: England County: Yorkshire (North) Type: Henge
Nearest Town: Masham  Nearest Village: West Tanfield
Map Ref: SE28058005  Landranger Map Number: 99
Latitude: 54.215419N  Longitude: 1.571366W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

TheCaptain visited on 27th Sep 2022 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 4 Back to the car for the small drive round to the woodland at the western side of the northern henge, and there was room to park, and then follow one of several paths into the woodland. This northern henge is much more like it, very well preserved, both the banks and internal ditch. The atmosphere in this woodland is much more pleasant than the open fields of the other two. Time to look for a pub and a pint.

kthdsn visited on 13th Jun 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

drolaf visited on 17th Sep 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Anne T visited on 14th Jul 2014 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4 After visiting Thorborough Central (and having tried to see where Thornborough South was), we went back to the Northern Henge. Having driven past the first time and failed to find somewhere to park, this time we spotted where other people had parked, complete with a gap in the trees to nip through. The henge is completely covered in trees, although the outer banks, berm and inner ditch are visible, although not conducive to good photography. There is a footpath which leads all the way round the berm. We managed to get to the southern entrance of the henge and looked out to central henge. I've submitted a photograph of the view from one henge to another on the 'Thornborough Central' page. With the sun coming through the trees and no-one else around, this was a very atmospheric spot.

Richard13 visited on 1st Jan 2005 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 4



Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.8 Ambience: 3.8 Access: 3.6

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B : Jim Leary writes: A few weeks ago I received a wonderful & mysterious invite to an English Heritage event at the Thornborough henges, North Yorkshire. The event, which was today, celebrated the reunification of the henges under 1 owner (EH). The event was fantastic. Here is the new northern henge. Photo credit: Jim Leary (Vote or comment on this photo)
The northern henge is best preserved but is covered by trees and brambles, but not so much that it is not recognisable and accessible. The other two are more ploughed out, with the southern henge being the most damaged. All three henges are peculiar in that they have a wide berm between the outer bank and the inner ditch which is best seen at the northern henge.

There's a good description of the Ure-Swale plateau in Julian Cope's Modern Antiquarian, which I can heartily recommend.

Andy B adds: The northern of Thornborough Henges, the one in woodland, was put up for sale in June 2023, guide price £200,000 and was bought by English Heritage for what we understand is somewhat less than that using some grant money they fundraised. Unlike the two southern henges, the northern henge was privately owned and public access was not permitted but that has now changed and there is an information board and improved paths.

Note: Historic England has now acquired the northern Thornborough henge, managed by English Heritage, who have added an information board and public access for the first time. Today there was an official celebration led by local pagans that I [Andy B] had been hoping to attend - sadly it clashed with something I had to be around for at home. The photo here is by Duncan Wilson from Historic England, more on our three Thornborough pages
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Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by SumDoood : (Arriving only just in time, I had cut down the four Roman soldiers and told them to get their sorry European arses back to Boroughbridge, and not to bother my henge again. Meanwhile...) I was very impressed by this henge and the fact that it is still so complete, the ditch being on average 3.0m deep and the bank an average of 3.0m high. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by bec-zog : Thornborough North Henge (Vote or comment on this photo)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by bec-zog : Woodland Covered Thornborough North Henge (Vote or comment on this photo)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by chrispy : English Heritage staff and volunteers plus a few people from Harlow consulting lined the paths through the henge with dead tree trunks from the inner ditch then put down wood chippings to create paths through and around the henge to protect the bluebells and enhance the paths (Vote or comment on this photo)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by chrispy : English Heritage staff and volunteers along with a few people from Harlow Consulting cleared a lot of dead tree trunks from the North henge inner ditch so it can be can be seen more clearly

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Bladup : The very intact Thornborough Northern Henge, In this Lidar image you can see the damage the trees has done to the bank and how intact the interior of this fantastic henge is

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Bladup : Thornborough Northern Henge (Photo courtesy of Yorkshire Archaeological Aerial Mapping)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Bladup

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B : Photos from the English Heritage Thornborough celebration held on 17th September. Credit: Jennifer Wexler

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B : Duncan Wilson from Historic England tweeted this photo today: Visiting the English Heritage celebration at Thornborough Henges, led by local pagans reuniting all three henges and bringing them into the national collection of historic sites and monuments. Photo Credit: Duncan Wilson,

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Andy B : The new information board at the northern henge - now owned by English Heritage - and with permitted public access for the first time. Photo Credit: Jane Sparkes, English Heritage

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by chrispy : Thornborough North Henge 9 2 24 Now acquired by English Heritage the North Henge will be open to the public as soon as the tree work is completed and it is safe to do so. This was the best picture I could get

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by cavers35 : Hazel/Willow woven fence along the road side where you used to be able to enter

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by cavers35 : This may be of interest if you’re looking to visit a large locked gate has appeared where you used to be able to get to The Henge (3 comments)

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by TheCaptain : Thornborough North henge. The entrance through the outer bank on the southern side

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by TheCaptain : Thornborough North henge. The inner ditch on the southern side

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by TheCaptain : Thornborough North henge. The northern entrance through the outer bank.

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by TheCaptain : Thornborough North henge. The flat area between the inner ditch on the right, and the outer bank on the left.

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by TheCaptain : Thornborough North henge. The inner ditch.

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Postman : I was out walking in the woods and found this big circular something, anyone know what it is?

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Postman : Bluebells leaking off the central platform and into the ditch.

Thornborough N
Thornborough N submitted by Postman : Looking over the ditch, yaay there's a ditch, to the bluebelled interior.

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"Thornborough N" | Login/Create an Account | 12 News and Comments
  
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Re: Thornborough N by tantrictrick on Sunday, 11 February 2024
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Yay!!! Great and uplifting news news at a time when we all need a bit of hope and encouragement.
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English Heritage acquires the final of the three - Thornborough North henge by Andy B on Friday, 09 February 2024
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-Acquisition by the charity guarantees public access to all three monuments- 
-All three henges united under a single owner for the first time in 1,500 years-


One of Britain’s most significant prehistoric monuments – Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire – is now finally reunited, English Heritage announced today as with the generous support of The National Heritage Memorial Fund, Jamie Ritblat and family, and The SCS Trust, the charity has now acquired the monument’s third and final henge.

That northern henge now joins the central and southern henges within the National Heritage Collection and under the care of English Heritage. It is thought to be the first time that all three henges have been under one single owner for at least 1,500 years. The acquisition not only guarantees public access in perpetuity to the entirety of this remarkable Neolithic monument but allows English Heritage to share with visitors the full story of Thornborough Henges so that they can better understand the henges’ significance and scale as well as how each individual henge relates to the others.
 
Gerard Lemos CMG CBE, Chair of English Heritage, said: “The Thornborough Henges are a remarkable survivor from the prehistoric past, from deep, deep history. We are incredibly proud that all three henges are now reunited under one single owner and their future secure. English Heritage will ensure that the entire monument is given the care it deserves. Reuniting the henges like this means that the public is now able to explore all three and re-connect with the people who gathered here 4,500 years ago.”

Sometimes referred to by stupid journalists as “the Stonehenge of the North”, the Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire comprise three large circular earthworks (known as ‘henges’) each more than 200m in diameter. Dating from 3000 to 2500 BC, the henges are of outstanding national significance, a place where people gathered for ceremonies for at least 2,000 years. Thornborough is one of the most important prehistoric sites between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands in Scotland.
 
Currently under woodland, the northern henge is the best preserved of the three – and one of the best preserved henges in the country – and gives a strong impression of how the others would have appeared originally.

At the start of 2023, the central and southern henges plus their surrounding lands were gifted to Historic England and English Heritage by the construction companies Tarmac and Lightwater Holdings. English Heritage – with the support of £150,000 from The National Heritage Memorial Fund as well as support from Jamie Ritblat and family, and The SCS Trust – has now purchased the northern henge from its private owner, represented by global property consultancy Knight Frank. We understand some haggling from the original asking price went on.

Entry to Thornborough Henges is free although the northern henge is currently closed as a number of trees were damaged in the recent storms and English Heritage is carrying out some works to ensure that area of the site is ready to welcome visitors soon. Later this year, the northern henge will receive new interpretation explaining its significance.
 
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “The National Heritage Memorial Fund is proud to have supported this magnificent acquisition, reuniting the henges in single ownership and securing public access. Adding the henges to the National Heritage Collection in the expert care of English Heritage is a long-held ambition and the Fund offers its congratulations to those who made it possible.”
 
Rishi Sunak MP, whose Richmond (Yorks) parliamentary constituency includes Thornborough Henges, in a break from his latest culture war escapade said: "Having recently visited the henges site, I know how truly remarkable the totality of the monument is. Bringing all three henges together in the o

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    Re: English Heritage acquires the final of the three - Thornborough North henge by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Saturday, 10 February 2024
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    Yes Yes Yes. I feel great joy knowing our beloved henges are safer than before. I have tears in my eyes. The Thornborough complex is magical
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Re: Thornborough N by cavers35 on Monday, 10 July 2023
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I visited today and a large gate and a willow/hazel fence has been erected along the roadside where you used to be able to get through to visit The Henge
If you were determined you could probably climb over but I didn’t feel comfortable doing that
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What to do about Thornborough North henge? by Andy B on Sunday, 02 July 2023
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Discussion thread:
https://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=9191&forum=1
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Thornborough North Henge up for sale by Andy B on Monday, 26 June 2023
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Khight Frank write: A unique opportunity to acquire the freehold of the most northern henge of the Thornborough Henges which are known to be one of the most important clusters of Neolithic monuments in the UK.

7.26 acres of freehold mixed broadleave woodland with roadside access. It is also known as Camp Wood.

An area of broadleaved woodland containing both native and non-native species. The woodland floor has a diverse flora including purple orchid, barren strawberry, figwort, bluebell, dogs mercury and common dog-violet. The majority of the monument, excluding the outer ditch, is contained within a circular boundary, with the area being covered in broadleave trees of modest diversity, including oak, elm and beech. Although the woodland is long established, it has not been considered to be 'ancient'.

Camp Wood is the northern henge of the historic cluster of Neolithic monuments known as Thornborough Henges. Sometimes referred to as 'Stonehenge of the North' it is believed that the monuments were built nearly 4,500 years ago.

The northern henge, forming part of this sale, is thought to be relatively well preserved due to its dense broadleave tree cover protecting it. The surviving earthworks show the impressive scale of the monuments when they were first built.

Guide Price: £200,000

More:
https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/west-tanfield-dl8/hub2306939
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Re: Thornborough N by drolaf on Thursday, 12 November 2015
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Visited summer 2015. All the henges were clean and tidy, with no farm animals. The main problem with the northern and central henges seems to be rabbits/warrens. The estate gamekeeper is perhaps fighting a losing battle, but was still cheerful, and very interested in the archaeology. Like any farm setting, politeness is a key ingredient to access.
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    Re: Thornborough N by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Thursday, 12 November 2015
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    Thanks for the update. I've not been for 3 years and it is good to know my old friends are well(ish)
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Access at Thornborough north hange by Anonymous on Friday, 15 June 2012
Many people who visit Thornborough also take the opportunity to visit the northern henge which is the best preserved of the three.

Attached is a photograph (to follow shortly) of one of the signs which appeared without warning at the northern henge last month. It says PRIVATE WOODLAND - NO PUBLIC ACCESS.

They appeared after the equinox and ironically you actually have to enter the wood to read them! I have lived here for over fifteen years and this is the first time access to the northern henge has been denied by the landowner, although he has made such mutterings in the past, and people living in the village (Nosterfield) say that they used to play in the wood as children.

For several years people have been visiting the northern henge at the equinoxes and solstice and there was a small group there overnight for the Spring equinox. However, they have never caused any problems or damage, the henge is always left immaculate and if you had not seen them you would not know they had been there. Last month they even cleared away the mess left over from a drinking party some spotty youths from the next village held recently.

Ironically, more damage is being done to the northern henge by the land owner's lack of tree management. Saplings spring up everywhere. The owner of the central henge has let the field in which it stands to a local farmer. He currently has cattle on the land and they are causing a lot of damage to the remaining banking and churning up the centre of the henge where he has placed a feeder. EH in York have been informed but don't seem to be bothered.

Would you consider publicising the situation at the northern henge on your web site?

Many thanks.

Woadrunner
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Street View by coldrum on Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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Re: Thornborough N by PeterCrump on Wednesday, 19 November 2003
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It's worth re-stating, I think: please sign the online petition to save the Thorborough henges from quarrying operations:

Friends of Thornborough

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Re: Thornborough N by Anonymous on Wednesday, 12 November 2003
my maiden name is Thornbrugh and i was told my people came from the Yorkshire area . Could the fact my fathers family used to spell our name the same as this be significant? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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