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Guidelines for visiting ancient sites

If you've been visiting ancient sites for a while, you may know that there are a few dos and don'ts. But you'll probably also know that some of them aren't immediately obvious.

Be sensitive to the appreciation of others: ancient sites are valued in a variety of ways – in terms of archaeology, heritage, botany and aesthetics. Some visit in search of a spiritual element and most people find an indefinable Spirit of Place at many sites.

Enjoy them as you wish, please try not to do anything to spoil the enjoyment of others. Be respectful in every way: a site that has survived for millennia can be changed in moments.

Please don’t damage the site or its surroundings.

• Don't climb on standing stones.
• Don't chalk or otherwise graffiti stones.
• Don't touch, stand or sit on rock art.
• Don't damage fences
• Don't light fires
• Don't dig holes
• Don't pick flowers
• Don't leave litter.

And litter includes 'tealights', candles, coins or anything else that isn't very quickly bio-degradable. Let your visit be without trace!

Generally, follow the countryside code, though there are many extra, subtle, aspects of ancient sites that could be vulnerable, for example:

• the site may extend much further than it appears — seemingly random outlying stones might be part of the original archaeology and should not be disturbed
• rare plants may be present and ancient colonies of delicate lichens may be growing on the stones.

And of course…

Be vigilant.

Report any damage to the local archaeology service or, if you prefer, email info@heritageaction.org.
We will make sure it reaches the right people.