Exploring the past in England

From the enigmatic Stonehenge in the south to the monumental Hadrian’s Wall in the north, archaeology in England is as rich through time as it is in geographical distribution. The earliest evidence of humans dates back to before the Last Glacial period. Beginning just before the end of the Ice Age and on into the Medieval period there were successive arrivals of people who brought with them new ways of living: the first farmers, the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons, all contributing to the diversity of archaeological sites in England we can visit today.

Visit Britain, the United Kingdom's official Tourist Board, has launched a 'We're Good to Go' label for the tourism sector. This stamp of approval is awarded to businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry who have followed government and industry guidelines to provide a safe environment for staff and visitors. Detailed information about where you can visit and what is open in England now, up-to-date details can be found on the Visit England Website >>

As archaeological and historical attractions and museums re-open many are doing so with new measures and regulations in place. These are designed to protect staff and visitors alike. Read the Guidelines for Visiting Sites and Museums in 2020 >>

Our interactive map of England pin-points archaeology and history sites and museums, landmarks and memorials and other points of interest around the country. The map allows you to find places of historical interest using a number of different functions. You can look at all the sites and museums within a single county, or you can find sites near your present location. You can search for places to visit within a specified radius of a named location, as well as refining that search to suit your interests. Although the map displays best on desktops and laptops, it can also be used on mobile devices – particularly to find sites and museums near your present location. Go to the map >>

The division of England adopted here is primarily geographical, 12 regions defined by a distinct geographic identity. Archaeological sites and museums in each region are then listed according to the ceremonial counties of England. These ceremonial counties are appropriate here as they tend to be more geographic than administrative. Sites and museums that are located within the unitary authorities of Bournemouth or Poole can be found listed in the ceremonial county of Dorset. The following is a list of the 12 regions and their constituent counties.
 
The South-West Peninsular: Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly | Devon
 
Wessex and the West Country: Dorset | Somerset | Wiltshire
 
The Weald and Downland of south-east England: East Sussex | Hampshire | Isle of Wight | Kent | Surrey | West Sussex
 
Greater London: London
 
The Cotswolds and Upper Thames Valley: Berkshire | Gloucestershire | Oxfordshire | Warwickshire
 
The Chilterns and Northampton Uplands: Bedfordshire | Buckinghamshire | Hertfordshire | Northamptonshire
 
East Anglia: Cambridgeshire | Essex | Norfolk | Suffolk
 
The Midlands Plain and Welsh Borders: Cheshire | Herefordshire | Merseyside | Shropshire | Staffordshire | West Midlands | Worcestershire
 
East Midlands: Derbyshire | Leicestershire | Lincolnshire | Nottinghamshire | Rutland
 
Yorkshire and the Humber Basin: Yorkshire
 
The Lake District and the North-west: Cumbria | Greater Manchester | Lancashire
 
Northumbria: Durham | Northumberland | Tyne & Wear