Free Sites with Audio Tours to Download
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The most complete surviving Cistercian monastery in southern England, with almost all the walls of its 13th-century church still standing, along with many monastic buildings. After the Dissolution, the buildings were converted into the mansion house of Sir William Paulet. Even in ruins, the abbey continued to be influential, inspiring Romantic writers and poets. -
Originally a tribal centre of the Iron Age Atrebates, Silchester became the large and important Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most Roman towns, it was never re-occupied or built over after its abandonment in the 5th century, so archaeological investigations give an unusually complete picture of its development. -
The ruins of a 13th-century Premonstratensian abbey, later converted into a Tudor mansion. The church was rebuilt as a grand turreted gatehouse. Information panels tell the story of the monastery and its conversion into a mansion. -
Fragments of the church and monastic buildings of the first Cistercian abbey in England, founded in 1128. -
Wolvesey has been an important residence of the wealthy and powerful Bishops of Winchester since Anglo-Saxon times. Standing next to Winchester Cathedral, the extensive surviving ruins of the palace date largely from the 12th-century work of Bishop Henry of Blois. The last great occasion her was on 25 July 1554, when Queen Mary and Philip of Spain held their wedding breakfast in the East Hall.
Free Sites with Further Information
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The substantial stone walls of a very early Norman 'enclosure castle', begun c.1085-7 and unusually little altered by later building works. This rare survival stands in an attractive village setting, not far from Lullingstone Roman Villa. -
Set like a lakeside temple in a landscaped park, Northington Grange is the foremost example of the Greek Revival style in England. Created between 1804 and 1809 when William Wilkins encased an earlier house in Classical facades, most strikingly the temple front supported on eight gigantic columns. It provides a stunning backdrop for the opera evenings which take place here in the Summer; call 01962 868600 for details. Filming at this site includes the 1999 film, Onegin, with Ralph Fiennes. -
The ruins of a small 12th-century Norman keep, with panoramic views over the Weald. -
A fine and atmospheric Neolithic chambered long barrow 2km (11/4 miles) along the Ridgeway from the Uffington White Horse: it was once believed to be the habitation of the Saxon smith-god Wayland.
