UNCOVER 4,000 years of history at Badbury Rings at a weekend of guided walks, hands on activities and art activities, as part of the Council of British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology.

On July 13 -14 from 10am-3pm there will be a range of free family-friendly activities at the Iron Age hillfort, part of the National Trust’s Kingston Lacy estate in Dorset.

Archaeologists and rangers will be there to help visitors explore the history and nature of this special place.

National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth Picture: National Trust, Paul Harris

You’ll be able to explore some of the items unearthed during archaeological digs, have a go at wattle and daub, and discover the location and style of a roundhouse.

There’ll also be plenty of art supplies for you to draw the Rings as it exists today, imagine it in the future, or daydream about the past.

Whatever you create you might like to enter it in Otter Gallery’s Wimborne Young Artist of the Year competition, (suitable for 0-16 years), which will be launched at Badbury Rings over the weekend.

There will also be guided walks, led by National Trust staff. Archaeologist Martin Papworth has spent most of his career working around this area, so has many stories to tell.

Visitors inspecting finds at a previous Festival of Archeology event Picture National Trust, Clive Whitbourn

He will be leading three ticketed walks, (booking essential, see website for details): the first will be on Sat July 13 at Badbury Rings ,(10am-midday, and 1.30-3.30pm), followed by a walk to discover Roman Shapwick on July 18, (4-5pm) and finally the mediaeval manor of Kingston Lacy on July 23, (4-5.30pm). Tickets are £10.

On Sun July 14 you can join a National Trust ranger for a free 45-min guided walk, (10am and 1.30pm, no booking necessary) to uncover the significance of Badbury Rings for both archaeology and nature, and its place among other hill forts in the region.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/badbury-rings