Knap Hill

Knap Hill is a Neolithic settlement site on a hilltop near Alton, with ditches and banks that divide it into distinct sections. The layout consists of seven ditch segments connected by pathways, creating a structured arrangement across the slope.

The site dates to around 3700 BC and stands as one of the earliest known settlements of this kind in England. Archaeologists uncovered it in 1908 through excavations, establishing its importance for understanding how people lived in the Neolithic period.

People built this place thousands of years ago during the Neolithic period, and the land shows traces of many groups who lived here afterward. Walking across it today, you can see how different periods of time have left their marks on the same ground.

The site sits on a hilltop and is accessible by walking trails across open ground with clear views of the surrounding landscape. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as the terrain can become muddy after rain.

The true purpose of this place remains a mystery, since the people who built it left no written records behind. Scholars still debate whether it served as a gathering place, a defensive structure, or something else entirely.

Location: Alton

GPS coordinates: 51.37194,-1.82722

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:43