Discover Dorchester is bringing a new event to the town this summer.

Home of Hillforts and Henges will celebrate a landscape rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years and take place from July 21 to 31.

The event is part of the National CBA Festival of Archaeology 2022 and activities will take place at various locations across the town. It will launch at Dorset Museum with a special open evening and a lecture on the Ridgeway Vikings.

An action-packed programme will include a series of lectures at Dorset Museum and a new archaeological dig at National Trust's Max gate with an opportunity to meet the archaeologist and get involved.

There will be guided walks over the landscape - including maiden Castle - antiques handling and family crafts at Dorset Museum at weekends. The event concludes with an epic day of discovery and fun at Maumbury Rings with Hengefest on July 31 where there will be animal handling, bushcraft, storytelling, nature crafts, music, performers and other activities that celebrate the sacred history of the space and its vibrant history.

The open countryside around Dorchester contains many ancient scheduled monuments and falls within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

As well as demonstrating pride in our ancient heritage, Home of Hillforts & Henges aims to promote wellbeing and good mental health through appreciation and enjoyment of local nature.

Matilda Manley, Dorchester Town Council tourism development officer, said: "Dorchester is a very special place, not many towns can boast two iron age hillforts and three neolithic henges. These are fantastic features of our town that we should be celebrating, and it is great that we are now doing that.

"Maiden Castle is one of the biggest hillforts in Europe. Maumbury Rings has such an amazing history, starting as a sacred henge then being adopted by Romans for use as an amphitheatre. It is a great space that is still used and loved. It is brilliant to be celebrating its history and importance to the town today."

More information can be found on the Discover Dorchester website and Facebook page.