An event celebrating the landscape of a Dorset town rich in earthworks and the people that have lived there for over 6,000 years is back.

Following the success of last year’s event, Home of Hillforts and Henges is returning to Dorchester from July 28 to 30.

The event celebrates the historic landscape of Dorchester with its many hillforts and henges and is a great opportunity to find out more about Dorchester’s Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age heritage.

There will be lectures, guided walks and other activities.

As well as demonstrating pride in ancient heritage, Home of Hillforts and Henges aims to promote wellbeing and good mental health through appreciation and enjoyment of nature and the local habitat.

Alistair Chisholm, Mayor of Dorchester, and Town Crier, said “Building on the undoubted success of last year’s event, this three-day celebration of the county town’s extraordinary wealth and variety of prehistory is certain to provide both interest and entertainment for all the family culminating in Hengefest inside Maumbury Rings.

“Henge City could serve as a nickname for Dorchester with its many Stone Age wooden henges of all sizes. Like its hillforts these henges take us back to our prehistory where, despite the many modern advances in archaeological investigation, there is still plenty of scope for reasoned conjecture and the imagination.  Enjoy our plethora of sometimes puzzling prehistoric places.”

There will be many activities taking place during the festival, including lectures and guided walks, concluding with a big day of discovery and fun at Maumbury Rings with HengeFest.

Hengefest will take place on Sunday, July 30 and is a free family day out, taking place inside the ancient monument complete with trade stands, local food and live music, as well as a pebble labyrinth, bushcraft, living history displays, nature crafts and natural therapies.

The event is part of the National CBA Festival of Archaeology 2023 and activities will take place at multiple locations across the town.

It is sponsored by Kingston Maurward, Dorset Hideaways and Dorchester Town Council.

Also, Duchy of Cornwall, Humphries Kirk and Grassby Funeral Service and Partners: Dorchester Association

For more information visit: https://discoverdorchester.co.uk/home-of-hillforts-henges-2023/.