<< Our Photo Pages >> Seahenge - Timber Circle in England in Norfolk

Submitted by bec-zog on Thursday, 19 August 2004  Page Views: 34656

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Seahenge Alternative Name: Holme-next-the-sea
Country: England County: Norfolk Type: Timber Circle

Map Ref: TF71124527  Landranger Map Number: 132
Latitude: 52.977459N  Longitude: 0.547209E
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
 Destroyed Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 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.
 1 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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43559959 cappy would like to visit

TheCaptain visited on 10th Jun 2024 - their rating: Cond: -1 Amb: 4 Access: 2 After many years, and a fair bit of planning, I got to visit the site of Seahange. I started from the pay car park at Holme, near the golf course, and followed the well marked and made coast path to the north then east, through the marshes and sand dunes. Whern I got to near where I thought the site was, I started looking for the signboard, but it had been knocked over so was not easy to find. I then tried to get down onto the beach, which was not easy with cliffs in the dunes and fences, so I retraced my steps back for a fair old way until I could get down onto the beach, before heading back east to the area of the site. After a fair bit of searching around, near to where it is marked on our map, I first saw a pole and stump sticking up, but nothing else. I wondered whether this was a marker for the site of the original Seahenge now removed.

Kith visited - their rating: Cond: -1 Amb: 3 Access: 4

Andy B kelpie have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: -1 Ambience: 3.5 Access: 3

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Andy B : The original 'Seahenge', now removed to safety, but much remains on Holme beach. Photo copyright English Heritage, used with permission (Vote or comment on this photo)
Timber Circle in Norfolk. The original 'Seahenge', now removed for study and reconstructed in Kings Lynn museum. See that page for more on the preservation and reconstruction of the timbers.

See the photos below and also our page for Holme II for another timber circle and other Bronze Age features still on the beach.

When Seahenge was being excavated, an early webcam was set up. This captured protesters complaining about the removal of the site. We have an exclusive archive of the webcam photos here.
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Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Bladup : Seahenge (Photo courtesy of Historic England) (Vote or comment on this photo)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Bladup : I thought the same as TheCaptain (Martyn) that this was once the site of the so called Seahenge (Vote or comment on this photo)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Bladup (Vote or comment on this photo)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain : After a fair bit of searching around on the beach, I first saw a pole and stump sticking up, but nothing else. I wondered whether this was a marker placed for the site of the original Seahenge now removed. w3w scribble.nearing.fence TF 7112 4527 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain (Vote or comment on this photo)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain : I followed the well marked coast path from Holme to the north then east, through the marshes and sand dunes. When I got to near where I thought the site was, I started looking for the signboard, but it had been knocked over so was not easy to find.

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by TheCaptain

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by NocaBaret : In the darkest hours of a moonless night I attempted to photograph the first of the Holme constructs-the one now so incongruously and un-naturally housed in Lynn Museum.The photos were poor. A few days ago I was inspired to render this conceptualisation from them. Then,today,by happenstance,I found this site;So-SEAHENGE-HOLME 1-2.36 a.m. (1 comment)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by bec-zog : Holme next the Sea: Bronze age timber structures are slowly being uncovered then, unfortunately, destroyed by tidal action as this area of coastline is gradually eroded. (3 comments)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by bec-zog : Holme next the Sea: Bronze age timber structures are slowly being uncovered then destroyed by tidal, & human, action.

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by bec-zog

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by bec-zog : Holme Next the Sea: Bronze age timbers slowing being exposed then eroded by the sea.

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Thorgrim : Seahenge at Dawn. Pastel by Peter Herring (4 comments)

Seahenge Laser Scanning
Seahenge Laser Scanning submitted by Andy B : Flag Fen Archaeological centre, Peterborough. Seahenge laser scan records earliest metal axe cuts found in britian. Alistair Carty (aka Alligator Descartes), director of Archaeoptics, scans the timbers using the laser scan. Pic: Gareth Fuller

Seahenge Laser Scanning
Seahenge Laser Scanning submitted by Andy B : Flag Fen Archaeological centre, Peterborough. Seahenge laser scan records earliest metal axe cuts found in britian. Chloe Watson, member of the scanning team, helps adjust one of the timbers in preparation for a scan. Pic: Gareth Fuller

Seahenge Laser Scanning
Seahenge Laser Scanning submitted by Andy B : Flag Fen Archaeological centre, Peterborough. Seahenge laser scan records earliest metal axe cuts found in britian. Alistair Carty (aka Alligator Descartes), director of Archaeoptics, scans the timbers using the laser scan. Pic: Gareth Fuller (2 comments)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Andy B : Seahenge before excavation Publicity photo, copyright English Heritage (1 comment)

Seahenge
Seahenge submitted by Andy B : A view of Seahenge before removal (3 comments)

Seahenge Toolmarks
Seahenge Toolmarks submitted by Andy B : Seahenge: Timber post from circle. Digital image of bronze axe marks from laser scan commissioned by English Heritage. Copyright: English Heritage Picture Credit: Archaeoptics Ltd

Seahenge Toolmarks
Seahenge Toolmarks submitted by Andy B

Seahenge Webcam 4
Seahenge Webcam 4 submitted by Andy B :

Seahenge Webcam3
Seahenge Webcam3 submitted by Andy B

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 116m ESE 104° Holme II* Timber Circle (TF7123445246)
 118m ESE 105° Holme IIb (Provisional) Timber Circle (TF7123545244)
 3.1km SSE 155° Beacon Hill (Norfolk) Ancient Village or Settlement (TF72534255)
 7.2km ESE 102° Branodunum Stone Fort or Dun (TF78214402)
 9.3km S 186° Sedgeford Iron Age Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (TF705360)
 9.3km E 98° Burnham Deepdale* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (TF804443)
 11.9km ESE 108° Burnham Market* Round Barrow(s) (TF826421)
 14.3km ESE 102° Leath House Roman Barrow* Barrow Cemetery (TF852427)
 16.0km SSE 159° Bircham Common Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (TF775306)
 16.3km E 94° Holkham Camp* Hillfort (TF87454468)
 16.9km SE 128° South Creake* Hillfort (TF848352)
 17.1km SSE 167° Harpley Common Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (TF755287)
 19.1km SE 142° Coxford Heath Barrow Round Barrow(s) (TF83493070)
 19.3km SE 140° Wicken Covert Barrow Round Barrow(s) (TF83973081)
 22.2km SSE 156° West Rudham Cursus Cursus (TF810254)
 22.2km SSE 156° West Rudham North* Long Barrow (TF8104325337)
 22.4km SSE 156° West Rudham South* Long Barrow (TF8094125116)
 22.9km SSE 155° West Rudham* Round Barrow(s) (TF81652495)
 23.6km ESE 103° Warham Camp* Hillfort (TF94374089)
 23.9km ESE 113° Our Lady of Walsingham Holy Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TF9355136894)
 24.0km ESE 113° Little Walsingham Holy Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TF93603678)
 25.3km ESE 102° Fiddler's Hill (Norfolk)* Round Barrow(s) (TF96134105)
 26.8km SSW 202° Kings Lynn Museum* Museum (TF62022005)
 28.9km NW 315° Burgh le Marsh Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (TF49936501)
 29.1km SSE 153° Weasenham Plantation* Barrow Cemetery (TF853198)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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"Seahenge" | Login/Create an Account | 10 News and Comments
  
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Re: Seahenge by Bladup on Friday, 25 April 2025
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The correct map ref of where Seahenge once was is TF7112345263, Which makes it further north than the map ref you have on here now.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Seahenge by TheCaptain on Friday, 25 April 2025
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    Hi Paul. Did you get this gridref from a source from the excavation, or is it for the place you visited (as I did) and thought might be the original place? I note that your position equates to the same as I found (within a few feet, out of the accuracy of a handheld device!). I have updated our sitepage position to this.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Seahenge by Bladup on Friday, 25 April 2025
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      The map ref was off Heritage Gateway about the excavation, I thought the same as you about that post marking the site, It was total guesswork from myself when i was there, I should really do this research before i visit somewhere not after, ha ha
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Seahenge by TheCaptain on Friday, 25 April 2025
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        Oh, excellent. It seems we not only now have the correct position for where the circle once was, but that we both found it by chance (more like intuition I reckon) not knowing where it was. I'd done quite a bit of research before I made my way out there, but never did find a definitive grid ref, so was sort of wandering around in a half kilometre square area just hoping to find something!

        It all felt well worthwhile when I found the remains of the second circle starting to poke above the sea, and now I know I found the first site also gives another buzz. That post had to be there for something!
        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: Seahenge by Bladup on Friday, 25 April 2025
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          I couldn't agree more, Good old intuition. It's a fantastic place, I did try visiting not long after 'Seahenge' was removed but the tide was in and i thought everything was gone anyway, So i've waited a very long time to visit the second circle (I found out about that one just after my attempted first visit), I was really glad the second (and more interesting) circle was still there to greet me this time.
          [ Reply to This ]

Video Talk: The Excavation of Seahenge with Neil Moss by Andy B on Wednesday, 11 May 2022
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Premiered earlier today: In 1999 on the north Norfolk coast the enigmatic timber circle known as Seahenge was excavated sparking both interest and controversy. Neil Moss brings you a talk about the hows and whys and some recollections from this extraordinary site excavated under extraordinary circumstances.

This event is inspired by ‘The world of Stonehenge’ exhibition at the British Museum from 17 February, featuring Seahenge, on display for the first time outside Norfolk.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3i6hDShz2w
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Re: Seahenge to feature in Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum next February by AngieLake on Wednesday, 08 December 2021
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Bronze age timber structure dubbed Seahenge goes on display at the British Museum 20 years after being uncovered by low tide off Norfolk coast
World of Stonehenge is due to open at the British Museum on February 17 and will run until July 17
Stonehenge of the Sea will be displayed for the first time since it was uncovered in Norfolk in 1998
Next year's exhibition will tell the story of the stone circle in Wiltshire with 430 objects and artefacts

Link to article here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10286203/Bronze-age-timber-structure-dubbed-Seahenge-goes-display-British-Museum.html

Also features several interesting photos of other related artefacts.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Seahenge by Anonymous on Friday, 19 July 2019
The site of "Seahenge" lies on a strong alignment that stretches from Carn Lês Boel near Land's End & passes through many sites especially Cornish Rounds but also Boscawen-ún & Stannon stone circles etc. etc. It runs from 230 degrees (geometric midwinter set) to 50 deg. (geom. midsummer rise) it is studied & followed by satellite in the following link;
https://ancientwhisperspenwith.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-carn-les-boel-seahenge-drombeg.html
[ Reply to This ]

Was the excavation of Seahenge the best outcome for the site? by Andy B on Saturday, 06 January 2018
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Caroline Seawright writes: Excavation was the best outcome for Seahenge for three main reasons. Firstly there were concerns about erosion. Had Seahenge been left in situ, little would be left of the site
today due to the rapid erosion of the area. Secondly, it was required for new scientific
investigations into the construction of the site by the Bronze Age community. Much unique
knowledge about how and by whom Seahenge was built, the symbolism of the monument,
and the ancient ecosystem has been discovered through investigation after excavation.
Thirdly, the salvage excavation had to be completed to be able to preserve the circle for
everyone. Now housed in a museum, Seahenge is open for people to learn about and
enjoy the monument. For these reasons, it is clear that excavation had to take place and
was the best option for the site.

Read More

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4,000-year-old Seahenge to rise again – but not until 2008 by coldrum on Tuesday, 16 January 2007
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CONSERVATION work on the Seahenge wooden circle is continuing apace – but it will be at least a year before the Bronze Age monument will be on display in Lynn.
The 4,000-year-old structure was uncovered by waves on the beach at Holme in 1998, sparking frenzied interest from the archaeological community.
In 1999 the pieces were excavated and preserved before they were handed to the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth for conservation, with the ultimate aim of putting them on display in Lynn.
The pieces chosen to go on display in Lynn Museum are currently being removed from a waxy substance called peg, which holds the wood fibres together.
Over the next two or three months they will be freeze-dried to remove any remaining water, before they are cleaned by experts and transported to Lynn Museum.
Robin Hanley, area museums manager for West Norfolk, said staff will spend the following six months painstakingly creating mounts and supports for the individual pieces.
He said: "It is a slow and complicated process, and one which there is no value in rushing."
Work on creating the Seahenge display will not begin until work on The Story of West Norfolk display is complete.
Half the museum will be closed after Christmas, and work carried out on the historical journey from the Iron Age to present day.
It is expected to be complete by September.
When the display is up and running the other half of the museum will close, allowing work to begin on the Seahenge display.
Mr Hanley said: "We hope to be able to allow people to see work on the Seahenge display going on for themselves."
The display will also include audio tours of the gallery and animations illustrating the process of landscape change, which have been funded by a £65,000 of Government money.
He said: "We hope it will be open to the public by the start of January 2008, but we have to be flexible with the timing."

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