Issue 41 Spring web - Flipbook - Page 98
"Having recently visited the henges site, I know how truly
remarkable the totality of the monument is. Bringing all
three henges together in the ownership of English
Heritage ensures their preservation and enhances the
charity's ability to tell the story of the earthworks and their
importance to the pre-history of our nation."
start of 2023, the central and southern henges plus their
surrounding lands were gifted to Historic England and
English Heritage by the construction companies Tarmac
and Lightwater Holdings. English Heritage - with the
support of £150,000 from The National Heritage Memorial Fund as well as support from Jamie Ritblat and family,
and The SCS Trust - has now purchased the northern
henge from its private owner, represented by global
property consultancy Knight Frank. This purchase places
all parts of the monument under one single owner for the
first time in at least 1,500 years and sees Thornborough
Henges – in its entirety – joining Stonehenge, Iron Bridge,
Dover Castle, Kenwood and numerous Roman sites on
Hadrian’s Wall within the National Heritage Collection,
under the care of English Heritage. Entry to Thornborough Henges is free although the northern henge is
currently closed as a number of trees were damaged in the
recent storms and English Heritage is carrying out some
works to ensure that area of the site is ready to welcome
visitors soon. Later this year, the northern henge will
receive new interpretation explaining its significance.
Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley
Bay said: “I'm delighted that these three very special sites
have been reunited, providing an extraordinary opportunity for people to immerse themselves in Yorkshire's
prehistory. Generous support from English Heritage and
The National Heritage Memorial Fund means that this
unique and intriguing monument will now be accessible
to the public for generations to come as part of our
National Heritage Collection.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England,
said: “Thornborough Henges is one of England’s most
impressive and important prehistoric monuments so it’s
wonderful news that the entire site is now in the care
of English Heritage for the benefit of the nation. The
acquisition of the third henge marks the culmination of
years of hard work and tenacity to unite and safeguard
Thornborough Henges for future generations.”
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage
Memorial Fund, said: “The National Heritage Memorial
Fund is proud to have supported this magnificent acquisition, reuniting the henges in single ownership and
securing public access. Adding the henges to the National
Heritage Collection in the expert care of English Heritage
is a long-held ambition and the Fund offers its congratulations to those who made it possible.”
Thornborough Henges, West Tanfield, North Yorkshire
DL8 2RA
The northern henge is currently closed to the public as
English Heritage gets it ready for visitors.
For more information, click here.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/pr-stonehenge-of-the-north-reunited/
Rishi Sunak MP, whose Richmond (Yorks) parliamentary
constituency includes Thornborough Henges, said:
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