Illustration — photo coming soon
These two Neolithic chambered tombs near Hazleton village in Gloucestershire rank among Britain's oldest communal burial sites, dating back roughly 5,700 years to around 3700-3600 BCE.
Hazleton North and South belong to the Cotswold-Severn group of barrows and offer genuine insight into the lives of early farming communities in prehistoric Britain.
Hazleton North holds particular archaeological importance. Excavations between 1979 and 1982 uncovered remarkably well-preserved remains that fundamentally changed how we understand Neolithic society. The dig revealed evidence of kinship-based burial practices and produced one of the earliest known family trees through DNA analysis, showing how these ancient people structured their social organization and family groups. Researchers also learned much about how the barrows were constructed, used, and modified throughout their long history.
To visit, you'll walk across open countryside to reach the sites. The long mounds retain their distinctive shape, making them recognizable features in the landscape. There are no facilities at the barrows themselves, but Cheltenham and Gloucester nearby provide accommodation and amenities. Hazleton village is small and rural, characteristic of the quieter Cotswolds countryside. These sites work particularly well as part of a wider exploration of the region's prehistoric heritage, and local museums in nearby towns offer additional context about Neolithic life in the area.
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