Thornborough Henge is one of the most important ancient sites in Britain.

Dating from between 4,000-3,500 BC, this pre-historic man made structure extends for a mile in length, making it the largest ritual religious site in the British Isles.

It's been described by English Heritage as "the most important prehistoric site between Stonehenge and the Orkneys".

The site forms part of a larger complex comprising six large henges located 10 km of each other, all of similar size and design.

Virtual tour of the henges

The first ritual evidence at Thornborough dates back 6,000 years and it was an important sacred site for Neolithic man.

Historians believe that this circular monument was a place of worship, and hundreds of people once flocked to the site.

Some archaeologists think that Thornborough may have been a pilgrimage centre where people sought spiritual salvation.

Thornborough is unusual in that its stones are aligned with the three stars of Orion's belt.

Thornborough is part of a larger ritual landscape including the standing stones at nearby Boroughbridge.