The Area

Avebury, which is one of the largest and most impressive of the ritual 'Henge Monuments' in Britain, was built in the Late Neolithic period. It consists of a massive, roughly circular earthwork, enclosing an area of about 28 and a half acres. Around the inner edge of the ditch was, originally, a ring of 98 large upright sarsens set at intervals of 36 feet. Within it stood an upright monolith 'The Obelisk')and an irregular line of 12 smaller stones.

Close by is Silbury Hill ,the largest man made mound in Europe,which covers over 5 acres. Opposite Silbury Hill is West Kennet Long Barrow, the only open burial chamber in Europe, which can be easily explored.

The area provides great walking opportunities,Both the Ridgeway, Europes oldest road, and the massive Saxon earthwork of the Wansdyke cross the area, and a long distance trail links all eight of Wiltshire’s famous hillside chalk horses.

During the summer months, magnificent formations of crop circles tend to appear on the landscape. Most frequently they appear near the sites of the ancient monuments.