Name: Knowlton Church and Earthworks
Rating: 5.0

Knowlton Church and Earthworks

Knowlton, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 5AE, UK

1-15 Years

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Description

Knowlton Church and Earthworks This Norman church, which was built in the 12th century, is situated at the centre of a Neolithic ritual henge earthwork. The unusual pairing of the henge and the church symbolises the transition from pagan to Christian worship.

Not many parish churches stand in ruins, and fewer still occupy sites associated with prehistoric rituals. Four thousand years separate the main late Neolithic earthwork at Knowlton and the Norman church that stands at its centre. The earthwork itself is just one part of a landscape which is one of the great Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial complexes in southern England.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Knowlton Church and Earthworks: Not many parish churches stand in ruins, and fewer still occupy sites associated with prehistoric rituals. Four thousand years separate the main late Neolithic earthwork at Knowlton and the Norman church that stands at its centre. The earthwork itself is just one part of a landscape which is one of the great Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial complexes in southern England.
The main earthwork at Knowlton is of a type known as a henge. There are nearly one hundred henges in Britain and Ireland, dating from about 3000 to 2000 BC. Although they are generally believed to have been ceremonial sites, it is likely that they fulfilled many functions, and may have changed their role through time.
Church Henge, as it is now known, has been protected from plough damage; the earthworks in the surrounding landscape have been less fortunate, but are still clearly visible in aerial photographs.
There are three other main earthworks nearby: the Northern Circle and ‘Old Churchyard’ (both to the right of Church Henge in the photograph); and the Southern Circle, which encloses Knowlton Farm (top left), and is surrounded by a ditch 240 metres (790 feet) in diameter.
Nearby Barrows: Associated with this group of henges is one of the greatest concentrations of round barrows, or burial mounds, in Dorset. The clump of trees 60 metres (200 feet) to the east of Church Henge marks the enormous Great Barrow, the largest individual barrow in the county.
Many other barrows and ring-ditches survive within a one-mile radius: stretching away to the north-west, for example, is the Dorset Cursus, twin banks of chalk about 2 metres (6 feet) high running for over 9km (6 miles), defining another zone in this ceremonial landscape.
The Church: The church was built in the 12th century and was in use until the 17th century, serving a now vanished hamlet by the riverside. Its Norman origins are evident from the plain round arch leading into the east end or chancel, and from the round-headed arches of the arcade dividing the nave from the north aisle. The south door also looks Norman.

Facilities

Parking: There is very limited parking in the layby at the site entrance on Lumber Lane.
Food & Drinks: There are pubs and restaurants located in the town of Verwood, which is 5 miles away.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Knowlton, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 5AE, UK

Post Code: BH21 5AE

Council: Dorset

County: Dorset

Road Access: 3 miles / 5 km south-west of Cranborne on B3078.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is Dewlands Common, Verwood, a walk of 4 miles / 7 km to Knowlton Church. OS Landranger Map 195 advised. Catch Morebus Service X6 from Poole Bus Station. This route runs daily.
Train Access: Poole Station (14 miles / 22 km). Bus X6 to Verwood departs from nearby Poole Bus Station (10 mins walk).
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is very limited parking in the layby at the site entrance on Lumber Lane.