Walk of the Dead

Welcome to the Walk of the Dead!

Journey Through Time: Burial, Belief, and the Night Sky at Hengistbury Head

Step into the ancient landscape of Hengistbury Head for a guided walk that explores how prehistoric communities understood life, death, and the cosmos. As we trace the footsteps of Bronze Age ancestors, we’ll uncover the secrets of the round barrows where they laid their dead to rest—monuments that still shape the land today.

Along the way, we’ll visit the site of a Stone Age hunter-gatherers’ camp, imagining what life was like 12,000 years ago. What did these early people believe about the stars above? Were they filled with wonder, fear, or reverence as they gazed into the night sky?

As the path rises toward the headland, we’ll shift our focus from the earth to the heavens. Discover how myths, celestial cycles, and constellations have long been woven into beliefs about death and the afterlife. From burial rites to sky lore, this walk reveals how ancient people connected the ground beneath their feet with the stars above.

Expect surprising insights, thought-provoking questions, and a deeper connection to the landscape and its stories. Whether you're drawn by archaeology, mythology, or the mysteries of the cosmos, this is a walk not to be missed.

This is an outdoor event, please ensure you wear suitable clothing and footwear.