Grime's Graves, Norfolk (Norfolk)

Grime's Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain.

Summary Gift shop Information provided

Introduction

Grime's Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. A grassy lunar landscape of over 400 shafts, pits, quarries and spoil dumps, they were first named Grim's Graves - meaning the pagan god Grim's quarries, or 'the Devil's holes' - by the Anglo- Saxons.

History to the present day

It was not until one of them was excavated in 1870 that they were found to be flint mines dug over 5,000 years ago, during the later Neolithic and early Bronze Ages.

What the prehistoric miners sought here was the fine quality jet-black flint 'floorstone', which occurs some nine metres below surface level. This was prized as an easily 'knapped' material for axes and other tools - and much later elsewhere for well-sparking musket flints. Digging with red-deer antler picks, they sank shafts from which radiated gallery-tunnels, following the seams of flint. Today visitors can descend 9 metres (30 ft) by ladder into one excavated shaft an unforgettable experience.

The small exhibition area illustrates the history of this fascinating site.

Set amid the distinctive Breckland heath landscape,Grime's Graves is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the home of a wide variety of plants and fauna.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Grime's Graves, Norfolk, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

1-31 March: 10am-5pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Apr-30 Jun: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week
1 Jul-31 Aug: 10am-6pm, 7 days a week
1 Sep-30 Sep: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week
1 Oct-1 Nov: 10am -5pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
2 Nov - 28 Feb: Closed
 

Prices:
Adult:£3.00

Children:£1.50

Concession:£2.60

Family Ticket: £7.50

No entry to the mines for children under 5 years of age

 

Photographs are copyright of English Heritage Photo Library