More images

More (8)

Avebury Stone Circle

Recommended by

Walk directions

From the National Trust car park walk to the main road and turn right. In 50yds (46m), cross and go through a gateway with a blue bridleway arrow. Pass through another gate and follow the path alongside the river. Go through two more gates and cross two stiles, passing Silbury Hill.

Beyond a gate, walk down the right-hand field-edge to a gate and the A4. Cross over and turn left, then almost immediately right through a gate. Walk down the wide path and cross a bridge over a stream. Go through a kissing gate and turn sharp left.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Tracks, field paths, some road walking, several stiles

Landscape - Downland pasture, water-meadows, woodland and village

Dog friendliness - Keep dogs under control across pasture and NT property

Parking - National Trust car park in Avebury (fee for non-members)

Toilets en route - Avebury

About the walk

Avebury's great stone circle is one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe and it shares its setting with a pretty village. The 200 stones (only 27 remain) were enclosed in a massive earthen rampart nearly a mile (1.6km) in circumference. One can only wonder at the skill, vision and... beliefs, not to mention the sheer dogged hard work, that enabled the people of that time to move huge stones for many miles and dig thousands of tons of earth to create such landscapes. Alexander Keiller's vision Avebury today owes as much to archaeologist Alexander Keiller as to the vision of our ancient ancestors. As heir to a fortune made from marmalade, Keiller was able to indulge in his passion for archaeology. In the early 1930s he came to Avebury, which then had a thriving community within and around the 4,500-year-old circle, and determined to restore it to its original glory; a prehistoric complex on a scale to match any in the country. All his energies and a large part of his fortune was spent on purchasing the land, excavating the stones, and although contentious to modern archaeologists, he re-erected fallen stones and set up concrete markers to replace those he believed were missing. Trees were cleared from the ditches and, as and when the opportunity arose, buildings within the circle were purchased and demolished. Some of the villagers left the area and others went to the new houses in nearby Avebury Truslow. Keiller's work was curtailed by lack of funds and, after World War II, he sold the site to the National Trust. His dreams were never fully realised and questions were raised as to whether he should have tried to restore the site. Should ancient landscapes be protected by riding roughshod over the interests of those who have subsequently come to live and work there? Whatever your views, there is much to see and enjoy on this walk. Unlike at Stonehenge, you can roam freely around Avebury and this enthralling walk lets you explore some of Britain's finest prehistoric monuments. There is an imposing 1.5-mile (2.4km) avenue of standing stones from where, perhaps, ancient processions would lead down to Silbury Hill, an entirely artificial structure 130ft (40m) high. Smaller in scale but just as intriguing is the West Kennett Long Barrow, the second largest barrow in Britain at 300ft (91m) in length. There is a liberal scattering of tumuli over the area, the last resting places of many a noble and priest. Finally, alongside the A4 is The Sanctuary, the site of major wooden buildings, possibly used for religious and burial rites.

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Wiltshire’s charm lies in the beauty of its countryside, with expansive chalk landscapes of the Marlborough and Pewsey downs and miles of uninterrupted views deep into Dorset, Somerset and the Cotswolds. Stroll through quaint timbered and thatched villages in the southern Woodford and Avon valleys and explore the historic streets of the stone villages of Lacock, Castle Combe and Sherston.

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

5 miles (8kms)

Ascent:

262ft (80m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Wiltshire

Avebury Stone Circle

Recommended by

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

5 miles (8kms)

Ascent:

262ft (80m)

Walk directions

1 of 6

2 of 6

To visit West Kennett Long Barrow, shortly turn right. Otherwise go straight on around the left-hand field-edge to a stile and continue along a track. At a staggered junction, keep ahead across a stile and walk along the right-hand field boundary. Cross the stile on your right in the corner and proceed up a narrow footpath.

3 of 6

At a T-junction, go left and descend to the road. Turn left, then just beyond the bridge, take the bridle path sharp right. Follow the right-hand field-edge to a gap in the corner and turn sharp left following a track uphill. At the top you'll see tumuli on the right and The Sanctuary on the left. Continue to the A4.

4 of 6

Cross the A4 and head up the Ridgeway. After 500yds (457m), turn left off the Ridgeway on to a byway. Bear half right by the clump of trees on a tumulus and keep to the established track, eventually reaching a T-junction by a series of farm buildings that are part of Manor Farm.

5 of 6

Turn left, signed 'Avebury', and follow the metalled track through the earthwork and straight over the staggered crossroads by the Red Lion Inn. Continue along the road to the wooden signpost and walk back to the car park.

6 of 6

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Tracks, field paths, some road walking, several stiles

Landscape - Downland pasture, water-meadows, woodland and village

Dog friendliness - Keep dogs under control across pasture and NT property

Parking - National Trust car park in Avebury (fee for non-members)

Toilets en route - Avebury

Walks in Wiltshire Dog-friendly walks in Wiltshire Family friendly walks in Wiltshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Wiltshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Avebury Stone Circle

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our travel newsletter

Get the latest insider tips and recommendations to make the most of your next trip

Avebury Stone Circle

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our newsletter

Join over 4,000+ travelers who are getting the most out of their trips