Ancient Britain For Modern Folk: A field guide to mounds, megaliths and more

by Tom Howells

192 pages, Hardcover

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Paula Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many standing stones and henges feature in the background of books it’s wonderful to read a book with them center stage.

[Jodie Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure what it is about winter that has me returning to stones, at least in the form of books. Perhaps the cold weather has me fantasising about spring walks, or remembering summer trips to ancient sites.
Or maybe it’s because I’ll be spending the last few months of the year editing (or writing, as I did last year, and the one before) work that is rooted in some way in ancient landscapes. Whatever it may be, I’m drawn back like clockwork (though I never really leave).

Read in one fell swoop, Ancient Britain For Modern Folk by Tom Howells, published by Hoxton Mini Press. A guide that is mini only in page size, this handbag sized field guide is full of glossy shots of both famous and lesser known sites across all of Britain. It’s absolute catnip to someone like me, who yearns for more tidbits of information on my favourite places alongside the discovery of new-to-me sites.


The writing is pithy, removing any of the old fuddiness around megaliths and firmly placing itself in the ‘it’s cool to care’ camp. Each entry includes a location, parking details and a what.three.words marker, making this is an accessible guide to the best ancient sites that Britain has to offer – no gatekeeping here, megaliths are for everyone.
I may be biased – partially because my name is in the acknowledgments, partially because I’m a sucker for a beautiful book – but I think this should be on the shelf of every stone bothering modern antiquarian around.

[Helen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book featuring all your favourite stones; with some stunning photos, mini histories and interesting facts. A handy guide to return to or carry around as you go exploring.