Things to do in Avebury
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Avebury Stone Circle
With a diameter of about 348m, Avebury is the largest stone circle in the world. It's also one of the oldest, dating from around 2500 to 2200 BC, between the first and second phase of construction at Stonehenge. The site originally consisted of an outer circle of 98 standing stones from 3m to 6m in length, many weighing up to 20 tons, carefully selected for their size and shape. The stones were surrounded by another circle delineated by a 5.5m-high earth bank and a 6m- to 9m-deep ditch. Inside were smaller stone circles to the north (27 stones) and south (29 stones).
The present-day site represents just a fraction of the circle's original size; many of the stones were buri…
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Silbury Hill
This huge mound rises abruptly from the surrounding fields just west of Avebury. At more than 40m high, it's the largest artificial mound in Europe, and was built in stages from around 2500 BC. No significant artefacts have been found at the site, and the reason for its construction remains unclear. A massive project to stabilise the hill took place in 2008 after a combination of erosion and damage caused by earlier excavations caused part of the top to collapse. Direct access to the hill isn't allowed, but you can view it from a car park on the A4. Hiking across the fields from Avebury (1½ miles each way) is a more atmospheric way to arrive; the tourist office sells guid…
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West Kennet Long Barrow
Set in the fields south of Silbury Hill, this is England's finest burial mound and dates from around 3500 BC. Its entrance is guarded by huge sarsens and its roof is made out of gigantic overlapping capstones. About 50 skeletons were found when it was excavated, and finds are on display at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes. A footpath just to the east of Silbury Hill leads to West Kennet (0.5 mile).
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West Kennet Ave
Avebury is surrounded by a network of ancient monuments. Lined by 100 pairs of stones, the 1½-mile West Kennet Ave links the Avebury circle with the Sanctuary. Post holes indicate that a wooden building surrounded by a stone circle once stood at the Sanctuary, although no-one knows quite what the site was for.
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Avebury Manor
Alexander Keiller bought the manor in 1939 and spent much of his later life here. The 16th-century house features Queen Anne and Edwardian era alterations, but it's the garden that's the real treat – the topiary and box hedges create a series of rooms that inspired Vita Sackville-West, creator of Sissinghurst gardens in Kent.
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Alexander Keiller Museum
Explores the archaeological history of the circle and traces the story of the man who dedicated his life to unlocking the secret of the stones.
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Ridgeway national trail
The Ridgeway national trail starts near Avebury and runs westwards across Fyfield Down, where many of the sarsen stones at Avebury (and Stonehenge) were collected.
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Windmill Hill
Northwest of the Avebury circle you'll find Windmill Hill, a Neolithic enclosure or 'camp' dating from about 3700 BC, the earliest site in the area.
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Circle Restaurant
This lovely veggie/wholefood café beside the Great Barn serves delicious sandwiches, cakes and afternoon teas.
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Red Lion
Having a pint here means downing a drink at the only pub in the world inside a stone circle. It's also haunted by Flori, who was killed during the Civil War when her husband threw her down a well – it now forms the centrepiece of the dining room. You can stay here too (single/double £50/80).
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Circle
Veggie and wholefood cafe beside the Great Barn serving homemade quiches and cakes, chunky sandwiches and afternoon teas.
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