YOUNG people are being encouraged to take a deeper look at the Iron Age and Roman history of a Somerset site.

An all-new children’s trail leaflet is set to launch for Ham Hill, encouraging them to explore the country park and providing a deeper insight into the site.

The Friends of Ham Hill (FoHH) have created the ‘Ham Hill Roman Treasure Trail’ leaflet thanks to funding from the Prime Foundation, as well as support from South Somerset District Council’s Countryside Ranger team.

The leaflet encourages children and their families to explore the country park, while providing information about the Iron Age hillfort and Roman settlement on their way round, with the ability to ‘win’ gold coins at various locations at the site.

The trail also helps explorers discover fascinating facts about the sites geology, ecology, geography and of course the pre-Roman history of the site.

The broad history of Ham Hill is something not to be ignored by any generation, but allowing the younger members of the family to take the lead is destined to create a time-warping adventure.

Mick Wooden, chairman of FoHH, said: “The Friends thank the Prime Foundation for their generous grant for the creation of a children’s adventure trail activity leaflet and to create new maps and markers for a larger orienteering course in the park.

"The grant has enabled us to bring to life the diverse history, geology and wildlife of this unique green space.

"We believe that greater contact with nature is good for children and the new Roman Treasure Trail will hopefully encourage families to be led on adventures by their younger members.

"The grant will also help us expand the existing orienteering course so that it covers the whole of the site.”

The leaflet will be freely available in time for the October half-term from the Ham Hill Ranger’s Centre, Cartgate Tourist information Centre and the Prince of Wales pub.

Somerset County Gazette:

ICONIC: The stone circle at Ham Hill. PICTURE: Mike Jefferies/Somerset Camera Club

Councillor Mike Best, South Somerset District Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, added: “Ham Hill is a truly iconic beauty spot in South Somerset and we are proud to own and manage the site.

"Learning about the history of the site, in such an imaginative way, brings an extra dimension to your visit as you start to understand how and why the Iron Age hillfort existed and where the Roman villa was located. The District Council are very grateful to the Friends Group for creating this wonderful leaflet for visitors to enjoy.”

Additionally, the FoHH have commissioned an extension to the orienteering trail, which will be completed later this year.

Anyone interested in joining the Friends can contact hamhillfriends@gmail.com.