enjoy the view

NOTES

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Avebury Stone Circle

Avebury, The Ridgeway, West Kennet and Silbury Hill

Notes and points of interest

Avebury Stone Circle This is the largest stone circle in Britain and, since stone circles are a distinctively British feature, that makes it the largest in the world. It is so big that it encloses a whole village. Probably built during the bronze age, it fell into neglect over the centuries until it was considerably restored by a nineteenth century enthusiast called Alexander Keillor (after whom the local museum is named). The site is now managed by The National Trust, who maintain extensive tourist facilities to serve the millions who visit this area from all over the world. However, most tourists remain withim the village confines and a short walk outside Avebury takes you into the open vistas of Salisbury Plain.

Overton Hill round barrows In common with many of the ancient sites around here, these barrows were built by the Beaker People during the Bronze Age.

Silbury Hill stands out so strikingly on this broad plan that it must have been an important feature in the age when it was built - but no-one has convincingly established its original purpose. Archeological digs, and a recent spontaneous collapse of a vertical shaft, show that it was originally penetrated by internal tunnels and shafts. But no treasures, skeletons or other conclusive evidence have been found. It is an enigma; a very large enigma that looks like a pyramid and is built of the local soil and rock. Because of its fragility, visitors are prevented from climbing or walking on the hill, but this walk takes you close enough to take good photos.

The Ridgeway This ancient trackway crosses Salisbury Plain, tracing a route that was used long before the Romans came to Britain. Walking this broad path you follow the track of ancestors so distant from us in time that we have no record of their plans, ideas or intentions other than in the stones and mounds that you see dotted around the surrounding Plain.

The Sanctuary This once great stone circle was grubbed up in an act of commercial vandalism during the early 20th century to be put to the plough, but has now been marked out with concrete blocks showing the original layout and positions of the stones. It was once linked to the Avebury Circle by a long avenue of stones.

West Kennet Long Barrow This is a prehistoric feature that you can experience close up. This ancient tomb contained many bones that have been safely removed and preserved. The barrow is now open and you can walk inside (stooping to protect your head!) and inspect the chambers at close range.