Stand where the ancient Great North Road once stretched toward the horizon and look upon a line of six massive mounds rising from the earth. These are the Six Hills, a collection of Roman barrows that have served as a silent landmark for nearly two thousand years. While local legend attributes their unusual shape to the Devil’s missed attempts to hurl boulders at travelers—supposedly leaving a crooked spire on a nearby church as his only mistake—the reality is far more grounded in history. These mounds are protected archaeological sites, believed to be burial grounds from approximately 100 A.D., potentially marking the final resting places of a wealthy local family.
A Landscape Defined by Antiquity
Walking through this site, you are stepping into one of the largest surviving Roman barrow groups in England. The scale of these mounds is significant enough that they gave their name to the modern thoroughfare, Six Hills Way. Because they have been protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the site remains a preserved piece of history where you can observe the distinct character of the land.
The vegetation surrounding the burial mounds offers a physical link to the past. Unlike the more modern grasslands nearby, the grass here is of considerable age and hosts specific species such as bird's-foot trefoil, mouse-ear hawkweed, harebells, whitlow grass, and slender clover.
Tracing History in the Grass
While no recent excavations have been conducted, the mounds bear the scars of past curiosity. Early investigations uncovered fragments of wood and iron—the remains of original burials—while later years saw the mounds impacted by a farmer removing soil in 1750 and an attempted widening of the Great North Road in 1820. Each mound has lost over four feet in height over the centuries, yet they remain imposing structures that command the landscape.
Timing Your Visit
To fully experience the atmosphere of the Six Hills, spend enough time to walk the perimeter and appreciate the contrast between the ancient mounds and the modern infrastructure nearby. The site is a permanent landmark, and its presence provides a sense of continuity in the Hertfordshire landscape. A visit here offers a profound connection to Roman history, where you can stand on ground that has been traversed by travelers for nearly two millennia.
If you wish to explore more of the local area after visiting the barrows, consider heading toward nearby sites such as Fairlands Valley Park, Holy Trinity, Stevenage Museum, St George and St Andrew, or St Nicholas. Start planning your journey today to witness these ancient mounds for yourself.