Cultural Devon / Cultural Attractions in Devon / Prehistoric Sites in Devon

Prehistoric Sites in Devon

Take a geological tour through time along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site or wander across ancient landscapes in search of signs of our distant ancestors - Devon has plenty of places where you can get in touch with the remote past.

Over 185 million years of earth's history unfold along the Jurassic Coast's 95 amazing miles, with evidence of ancient river beds and deserts, layers of mud and fossils and fantastically weathered rocks and cliffs. It's a unique experience!

Scattered across Devon's landscape is plentiful evidence of human activity going back many thousands of years. Forts and barrows, standing stones and cairn circles, ditches and traces of huts all bear witness to our unknown ancestors. Dartmoor is rich in prehistoric settlements - at the best-known, Grimspound, the remains of 24 stone houses still linger within a massive boundary wall.

At Iron Age hill-forts like Blackdown Rings, Musbury Castle and Chapel Wood you can still see the protective ditches and ramparts. But for a tantalising glimpse of the deepest past visit Kents Cavern, where the caves have been inhabited for over 500,000 years.