Inflatable Stonehenge road show

[MichelleH]

To celebrate the new BBC Two series on the Ancient Britons, a Stonehenge model is touring the UK. English Heritage experts are helping BBC Hands on History make the most of a new BBC Two TV series, 'A History of Ancient Britain', started last 9 February. They are pulling out all the stops to get an inflatable scale model of one Stonehenge trilithon (two uprights and a lintel) as accurate as possible before it goes on a whistle-stop tour of five city centre shopping centres from 21-25 February.

English Heritage policy researchers, archaeological investigators, surveyors and historians have all been keen to join forces and investigate a variety of archived information, including 3D data from a previous survey of the monument in 1993, old plans and photos of the 1958 re-erection, in order to supply correct dimensions. Others have also helped to supply images, information and check details for a series of popular, jointly branded learning resources as part of an ongoing partnership between BBC Learning and English Heritage Education.

Prehistory timelines and group activity guides are currently being handed out free of charge to families and learning groups visiting Stonehenge. All these can also be downloaded from the BBC Hands on History website where teachers, parents and students can also find events, a map of sites to visit, animations featuring the Hands on History mini-time traveller, and more.

The Stonehenge road show will challenge families to help solve the mystery of how the stones were moved and also feature interpretation boards and an interactive mini drama led by historical interpreters. It is scheduled to visit shopping centres in five locations from 11.00am - 15.30pm; there is no booking required and entrance is free:

Monday 21 February: Queen's Arcade, Cardiff (Wales)
Tuesday 22 February: thecentre:mk, Middleton Hall, Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire)
Wednesday 23 February: Swindon Designer Outlet (Wiltshire)
Thursday 24 February: Westfield Derby (East Midlands)
Friday 25h February: MetroCentre, Gateshead (Tyne and Wear)
Note - Children and young people aged under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.