Exploring WLM: prehistory - WIKI LOVES MONUMENTS UK

With 1.3 million visitors in 2014, Stonehenge is just about the most famous prehistoric site in the UK. There are some striking monuments which have withstood the elements for thousands of years, and some examples from the previous editions of Wiki Loves Monuments are below.

"Wayland Smithy Long barrow" by Msemmettis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Wayland Smithy Long barrow” by Msemmett is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

"Badbury Rings" by Dormouse14is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Badbury Rings” by Dormouse14 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

There are about 3,500 hillforts across the UK from the Iron Age and Late Bronze Age. They can be absolutely huge, as big as 20 hectares and you often need some distance to appreciate them.

"Gwal y Filiast" by Karen Sawyeris licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Gwal y Filiast” by Karen Sawyer is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

"Silbury Hill,nr.Avebury" by Dave Yatesis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Silbury Hill,nr.Avebury” by Dave Yates is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This prehistoric mound is part of a landscape designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes Avebury and Stonehenge.

“West Kennet Long Barrow – Interior” by Ark3pix is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

You don’t often get to see inside a prehistoric monument.

"Ring of Brodgar, Orkney" by Stevekeiretsuis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Ring of Brodgar, Orkney” by Stevekeiretsu is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Orkney is renowned for its prehistoric sites, including Skara Brae (a Neolithic settlement) and the ring of Brogdar, a stone circle.

"Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria" by SusieAnnais licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria” by SusieAnna is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

"4 Ballynoe Stone Circle 1" by Irishdeltaforceis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “4 Ballynoe Stone Circle 1” by Irishdeltaforce is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

"Woodhenge, Wiltshire, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12" by Diego Delsois licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Woodhenge, Wiltshire, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12” by Diego Delso is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

"Stonehenge from the Distance" by ExtraMilePhotoUKis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. — “Stonehenge from the Distance” by ExtraMilePhotoUK is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

There are about 3,500 hillforts across the UK from the Iron Age and Late Bronze Age. They can be absolutely huge, as big as 20 hectares and you often need some distance to appreciate them.

This prehistoric mound is part of a landscape designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes Avebury and Stonehenge.

You don’t often get to see inside a prehistoric monument.

Orkney is renowned for its prehistoric sites, including Skara Brae (a Neolithic settlement) and the ring of Brogdar, a stone circle.

And of course no trip through the UK’s prehistory would be complete without Stonehenge!