Grime’s Graves — Britain’s Prehistoric Flint Mine

A Window into the Stone Age beneath Our Feet

Hidden in the Breckland landscape of Norfolk lies Grime’s Graves, a remarkable prehistoric mining complex.
Created over 4,000 years ago, it consists of more than 400 flint mine shafts, dug by Neolithic communities using tools made of bone and stone.

Today, visitors can still descend into one of the original shafts, experiencing a rare and unforgettable connection to ancient craftsmanship.

A Stone Age Industry

During the Neolithic period, flint was essential for tools such as axes, knives, and arrowheads.
The high-quality black flint deep beneath this site made Grime’s Graves a major production centre — with mined flint traded across prehistoric Britain.

Therefore, this heathland hideaway was once a buzzing industrial landscape long before recorded history.

Exploring Grime’s Graves
1. The Open Landscape

At first glance, the site looks like rolling grassland dotted with curious dips.
These shallow craters mark the tops of collapsed mine shafts — each one a doorway to Stone Age engineering.

2. Descending the Ancient Shaft

Visitors can climb down a ladder into Greenwell’s Pit, a preserved mine shaft discovered in 1870.
Inside, you’ll see branching tunnels dug by miners who chipped away flint with antler picks.
In addition, informative displays explain how the miners worked in tight, torch-lit darkness.

3. Tools and Skill

The miners carved out galleries where the finest flint seams lay.
Antler tools and stone hammers — some still found onsite — show the precision and effort involved.
Their skill helped drive early trade and technology across Britain.

Learn more at the English Heritage website

A Place of Mystery and Imagination

Walking the site feels like stepping back into a world of legend and survival.
The surrounding silence contrasts with the labour that once echoed underground.
Furthermore, archaeologists continue to study the pits, unlocking new insights into Neolithic life.

It’s both a peaceful landscape and a giant prehistoric puzzle.

Visiting Grime’s Graves
How to Get There

Address: Lynford, Thetford, Norfolk IP26 5DE

By Car: Free parking included with entry

By Public Transport: Limited — taxi or bike from Brandon/Thetford recommended

Opening Hours & Admission

Seasonal opening; entry ticket required

Descent into the shaft subject to safety access

Facilities

Small visitor centre

Picnic area and open grassy spaces

Waymarked paths across the site

Step-free access above ground (ladder descent optional)

Nearby Attractions

Thetford Forest — Cycling and forest walks

Weeting Castle — Medieval manor ruins

Oxburgh Hall — National Trust moated manor house

Santon Downham — Riverside Brecks village

Together, they form the Norfolk Prehistory & Heritage Trail.

Why Visit Grime’s Graves?

The Grime’s Graves experience combines archaeology, adventure, and imagination.
It reveals how our earliest ancestors shaped the land beneath us — with skill, organisation, and purpose.

Whether you explore the mine shaft or simply wander the heath, this ancient site offers insight into human ingenuity at the dawn of history.

It’s not just a mine — it’s a prehistoric time machine.