Grimes Graves

About

Grimes Graves is an English Heritage site with 433 Neolithic flint mines - one of which has been excavated and is open to the public. A fantastic opportunity to experience real history from 4600 years ago, and enjoy a truly unique landscape with its lunar-like craters above the in-filled mine-shafts There is a small exhibition centre, with a shop that has coffee facilities and packaged snacks, and there is a 96 acre grassland area of special scientific importance for walking and picnics (dogs, on leads, are welcome). Children are provided with a bag of binoculars, bug-boxes, colouring-pages and pencils to help them enjoy the site The exhibition has wall displays, samples of the tools and materials being excavated and videos that explain the history of the site and flint-knapping A very special geological feature is visable from the site: periglacial striations (which were caused by freezing and thawing the chalk substrate in the last ice-age) have created amazing straight lines of alternating vegetation and were formed over 10,000 years ago Whilst the site is open to everybody, with a small carpark, the mine, which is accessed by a robust 32-step ladder to a depth of over 7 metres has, for health and safety requirements, an age restriction for children who have to be 10, or over. It is also a requirement that a helmet (provided) is worn at all times whilst in the mine-shaft Whether you are an archaeologist with a special interest or a family looking for a unique experience, the team at the site welcome you and encourage you to ask questions and learn about Neolithic-man and the importance of flint as a Stone-age tool The site is open from April to September, everyday from 10.00am until last entry at 5.30pm, and is also open in October but only Wedneday to Sunday from 10.00am, with last entry at 4.30pm

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes