A Medieval Time Capsule

Our first extraordinary stop is at Whitcombe—a medieval church surrounded by its own deserted village. Your guide brings this abandoned settlement to life, explaining how these thatched cottages, barns, and manor house offer a rare glimpse into middle ages rural life. Walk through this atmospheric time capsule where shadowy doorways and empty windows tell stories of lives unchanged for centuries.

Roman Amphitheatre with a Prehistoric Secret

In Dorchester itself, we visit Maumbury Rings—an impressive Roman amphitheatre with a surprising history. Your guide reveals how this Roman structure was actually built within a far older Neolithic henge monument. Stand in the center of this massive earthwork as your guide recreates scenes of both prehistoric ceremonies and Roman gladiatorial contests that once took place where you stand.

Maiden Castle: Britain's Greatest Iron Age Fortress

Just outside Dorchester stands Maiden Castle—the largest and most complex Iron Age hillfort in Britain. As you climb its massive ramparts, your guide shares tales of:

• The ingenious defensive systems created 2,500 years ago

• The dramatic Roman conquest that left defenders defenseless

• Recent archaeological discoveries revealing sophisticated daily life

• The spectacular views that made this a sacred place before it became a fortress

From these commanding heights, your guide points out the extraordinary concentration of Bronze Age barrows (burial mounds) dotting the landscape—more numerous here than even around Stonehenge.