Heath Wood barrow cemetery

Cemetery Anglo-Saxon barrow cemetery, England's only Viking cremation site

Heath Wood near Repton contains an Anglo‑Saxon barrow cemetery notable for cremation burials associated with Viking activity. Archaeological trails and interpretation panels draw visitors interested in early medieval Britain.

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Heath Wood barrow cemetery is a group of burial mounds on heathland in Derbyshire, England, noted for its Viking-age cremation burials. It is regarded as the only confirmed Viking cremation cemetery in the country.

The site consists of multiple low barrows and visible earthworks set in open woodland and heath. A footpath runs through the area and the mounds are visible at close range from public routes.

Excavations and archaeological work have identified cremation burials that date to the Viking period, associating the cemetery with Norse activity in the late 9th century. Finds and radiocarbon dates have been used to link the site to Viking funeral practice rather than contemporary Anglo-Saxon burial rites.

Heath Wood sits near the village of Repton in south Derbyshire, close to the River Trent valley. The site is on a rise of mixed heath and woodland a short distance from the village and public roads.

  • Significance: Located on a ridge of heathland close to the village of Repton in Derbyshire, the site is the only known Viking cremation cemetery identified in England.
Heath Wood barrow cemetery
52.8294, -1.4939

Tips for Visiting Heath Wood barrow cemetery #

  • Heath Wood is the UK's known Viking barrow cemetery near Repton - visit in low sun (early morning or late afternoon) to make the low earthworks more visible and photogenic.
  • Approach on the marked public footpaths from Repton and follow on‑site signage; the barrows sit in woodland and can be easy to miss if you stray off the trail.
  • Go on a weekday or outside busier recreational periods for a quieter visit and to better appreciate the layout of the barrows without heavy dog‑walker or family‑park activity.

Best Time to Visit Heath Wood barrow cemetery #

Late spring through early autumn (May-September) is best for comfortable walking and seeing the barrow cemetery in good conditions.

Late spring to early autumn (best for walks)
May-September · 10 to 25°C
Warmer, drier conditions make the site and surrounding landscape pleasant for walking and photography; visitor numbers are typically low.
Autumn & spring
March-April, October-November · 5 to 15°C
Crisp, variable weather with good light for photography; ground can be muddy after rain.
Winter
December-February · 0 to 8°C
Cooler, wetter conditions-paths may be muddy or waterlogged and daylight hours are short.

Weather & Climate near Heath Wood barrow cemetery #

Climate

Heath Wood barrow cemetery's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (693 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 36 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 67 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.5h daylight

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