Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne

The centre was founded over 30 years ago by a teacher at Cranborne Middle School. His pupils helped build an accurate copy of an Iron Age roundhouse and since then further replicas have been added, from the Stone Age to the Viking era.

Today, the centre is run by Dorset Council and its main function is to receive visits from schoolchildren to support their curriculum study of history. The children learn what it was really like to live in a particular period through activities ranging from blacksmithing to warrior training. Visits usually end with a question and answer session round a fire.

In addition, adults can sign up to ‘heritage craft’ courses such as Celtic woodcarving and Viking deer butchery.

Nearest postcode: BH21 5RP
OS reference: SU057137
What3words: outright.alone.mend

The general public can visit the centre on three weekends during the year: go to https://ancienttechnologycentre.com/public-events for details.