Waulud’s Bank

Waulud’s Bank lies on the suburban outskirts of Luton (Bedfordshire)n in a valley that intersects the chalk ridge of the Chiltern Hills. The name “Waulud”, probably a corruption of “Wayland”, the smith in Teutonic mythology, is connected to several archaeological sites across the country.

The monument is defined as an “henge-enclosure” (a Neolithic ring earthwork with the ditch inside the bank, with the central flat area having evidence of occupation), although two features differ from the traditional henge-enclosure: its ditch lies outside the bank, and it there is no evidence of opposed or multiple entrances.

The monument is well preserved, partly due to its long history of pastoral use, that prevented significant ground disturbance and it is highly valuable as a rare example of upstanding earthworks of Neolithic date. Limited excavation has revealed Neolithic and Bronze Age flintwork, Neolithic Grooved Ware pottery and evidence of a small hut outside the perimeter.

Pottery from the Roman and Iron Age period indicates possible settlement in or around the monument and traces of ridge and furrow cultivation within the enclosure indicate a medieval or post-medieval use of the site.

Postcode

LU3 3LH

Facilities & accessibility

Full public access