The Museum of the Iron Age tells the story of Danebury hill fort which lies  to the south west of Andover. The hill fort was excavated by Professor Barry Cunliffe between 1969 and 1988 and is one of the best studied sites of the British Iron Age.

The museum uses real objects from Danebury alongside life size models, reconstructions and dioramas to bring the Iron Age to life. Stand alongside our fortified ramparts and imagine eating dinner around the cooking cauldron inside our roundhouse room.

Themes which are covered include; farming, religion, trade, crafts and warfare. As well as Danebury, there is also information and finds from other sites which help to tell the story of the Iron Age and Roman periods in north west Hampshire.

Resources Room

We have a selection of material to help with research on local archaeological and historic topics, including local history and archaeology books, excavation reports, periodicals, trade directories, photographs and cuttings. If you wish to use this resource we recommend you contact us to check the room’s availability. Please note we don’t lend items out.

There is a gift shop selling related books and gifts, and coffee shop selling tea/coffee and biscuits.

Group Visits

Whether you are an archaeological society or a University, we recommend a visit to the Museum combined with a trip to Danebury hill fort. We suggest you visit the museum first followed by Danebury. Please book your museum visit tel 01264 366283. Although booking isn’t required for Danebury it is recommended that you contact the Countryside Service to ensure there are no restrictions. Tel 01962 860948.

Vistit the Hantsweb website for more details.

The mass of Danebury Hill lies to the north-west of Stockbridge and is a short distance off the road linking the A30 on Salisbury Hill with the A343.

It provides a very enjoyable walk and spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

It is a nationally important Scheduled Ancient Monument and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Danebury is 4km north west of Stockbridge (sign posted from Nether Wallop near Stockbridge).

The site is open all day, every day, free entry with ample free parking, and toilets are open from April to October. Telephone Hampshire County Council to check for occasional closures for essential works or unforeseen emergencies.

In the time of its main occupation, from about 550 BC to 100 BC, it would almost certainly have been bare of trees since they would have obscured the view. Today there are many trees on the site.

The site is a most impressive monument to the iron age people who lived in this hill town for four and a half centuries.

The overgrown remains of the Danebury racecourse can be seen in the field to the south east of the hill.

For further information please visit the Hampshire County Council Countryside page on Danebury Hill Fort or the Wikipedia site, both of which are good sources of information.

Houghton Down is the site of a large ditched enclosure with superimposed Roman villa.

The foundation of the Roman rural system in the region can be seen at Houghton Down which eventually developed as a small Roman villa.

As well as water birds like herons, moorhens and kingfishers, there are thrushes, larks, robins, three types of woodpecker and many other British native species.

Insect life abounds in the dense vegetation. From spring onwards there are many species of butterflies to be seen, from Brimstones to Common Peacocks, and in early summer the dragon and damsel flies begin to hatch.

The water too seethes with life. Water boatmen, caddis flies and snails provide food for the birds, as well as for the many species of freshwater fish - pike, roach, bream golden orfe and four types of carp, including Japanese Koi carp.

And the garden is also the perfect environment for a wide variety of native British wildflowers, from the purple loosestrife to the southern marsh orchid.

Longstock Park Water Garden is not open to the public during the winter.  It will be open again on behalf of local charities on the first and third Sunday of the month from next April.

Longstock Park Nursery
open 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday - Saturday (throughout the year), from 11.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday (November - February) and from 11.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday (March - October) Click here to visit the Longstock Park Nursery website.

John Lewis Partnership Websites
The John Lewis Partnership and its subsidiary companies have a number of other websites. Click here to view the list and links to the other websites.

For more information visit the Longstock Water Gardens website here.

Marshcourt stands on a chalk outcrop overlooking the Test Valley on the edge of Stockbridge, and was built between 1901 and 1904 for Lutyens' friend Herbert Johnson an 'adventurer, stockjobber and sportsman', who made and lost a fortune in the City, before making another.

The house was completed in 1904, but Lutyens came back several times over the years to make alterations and improvements installing more bathrooms and adding, in 1924–26, the Great Hall, or ballroom to the south-east corner of the house.

From the Middle Ages the road to the west of Stockbridge was curved to the north to give a gentler slope up the hill.

The original line leading up the hill is still present as a track. On the ground to the south of this track is the site of an Iron Age farm, excavated in the 1930s. 

Walk west along the main street (A30), crossing the numerous braided streams of the River Test. Once you cross the river and climb the hill bear off to the left, going uphill alongside Roman Road. Keep going straight ahead at the end of the road, walking along the narrow defined path that climbs Meon Hill.

At the heart of this tranquil rural estate is Mottisfont, set in glorious grounds alongside the fast-flowing River Test. There are many layers of history for the visitor to explore, including the Gothic remains of the original 13th-century Augustinian priory.

In the mid-20th century the final private owner, society hostess and patron of the arts Maud Russell, used the Abbey as a base for her racy and intriguing life. The River Test is one of the finest chalk streams in the world, and the walled gardens house the National Collection of old-fashioned roses. Note: during the rose season in June weekday and/or evening visits are recommended.

Visit the National Trust website for more details.

The Museum of Army Flying is home to a unique collection of aviation history one of both international and national importance. Come and see over 35 historic fixed and rotary wing aircraft on display which along with detailed dioramas, artifacts, trophies and models serve as a profound and inspiring tribute to men and their machines.

The Museum gives a fascinating and imaginative glimpse of “soldiers in the air” and life at the home front.

Opening times are Daily 10:00am to 4:30pm - Last Admission at 4:00pm.

For more information visit the Museum of Army Flying website here.

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Stockbridge Down is owned by the National Trust and extends over 160 acres from the B3049 Winchester Road up to Woolbury Ring.

This ancient chalk downland, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, has a long history of common grazing rights which are still maintained by the Trust, Lord of the Manor since 1946.

Distinctive plants of the chalk grassland include cowslip, thyme, harebell, horseshoe vetch, greater knapweed, yarrow and violet. There are many downland butterfly species including chalkhill blue, and some scarce moths. The scrub of hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood, privet and juniper provides valuable nesting sites for birds such as blackcap, yellowhammer, nightingale and garden and willow warblers.

The Down is popular with walkers, especially those with dogs. There is also regular riding along the old gallops.

Some 14th century burial sites are scattered at various places on the Down. A curious feature hidden under grass just outside the Down is a "horse" built out of flints. It lies on private land on the south side of the iron age hillfort at Woolbury.

The Down also has a darker history . In the 11th century the knoll opposite the car park was the site for the execution of criminals Nowadays, this doesn't happen quite so often.

for more information please visit the National Trust page covering Stockbridge Down.

For a map of Stockbridge Down and directions please click here.

This hill fort lies against the north corner of Stockbridge Down. The centre of the site is now in private ownership. However, the steep banks and form of the hill fort can still be seen.

It provides a very good walk and spectacular views in all directions.

Access to Woolbury is from one of two car parks providing access to Stockbridge Down adjacent to the B3049 to the east of Stockbridge. One is located on the north and one on the south side of the road. From the car parks head north across Stockbridge Down, heading for the highest point to the north east.

It was built in the period around 600 BC to 400 BC but was abandoned long before Danebury at some time about 350 BC.

For further information visit the Wikipedia site.