Scheduled MonumentsEnglandCursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common

Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common

England
List entry 1473383
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common is a Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial complex located in Bedfordshire. The cursus monument itself is a long rectangular enclosure defined by parallel ditches, a form characteristic of Neolithic ritual landscapes in Britain, whilst the five ring-ditches represent Bronze Age burial mounds that were subsequently incorporated into or positioned near this earlier ceremonial framework. The site exemplifies the continuity of sacred ground across multiple periods, with evidence suggesting use spanning from the Neolithic period through the Bronze Age. The monument survives as earthwork features visible in the modern landscape and represents an important record of prehistoric ceremonial practice and funerary activity in the East Anglian region.

Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1473383. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common?

Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common is a Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial complex located in Bedfordshire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1473383.

Who is responsible for protecting Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common?

Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1473383.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bronze Age Round Barrow and Later Settlement on Biggleswade Common (0.7 km), A ringwork and bailey castle, ring ditch and enclosures east of Brookland Farm (2.4 km), Stratton Park moated enclosure and associated manorial earthworks (3.1 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Cursus and five associated ring-ditches at Biggleswade Common