Traditionally known simply as 'The Sanctuary', this is a complex late Neolithic site, with the major phase of construction in about 2500 BCE. The Sanctuary is comprised of a concentric arrangement of wooden and stone posts. The location of the post holes is marked by concrete marker stones, which, while missing a lot of the atmosphere of well-preserved stone circles, does help you to easily view the layout of the site.
Overton Hill,
A4 East Kennett,
Wiltshire,
England
Avebury is unique in that the village of Avebury lies partly within the henge, or outer circle of stones, and a road splits the circle. The main Avebury stone circle is roughly a quarter mile across, enclosing an area of about 28 acres, and it contains two smaller circles within it.
There is an avenue of stones leading away from the circle towards Overton Hill a mile and a half away, and it has been speculated by some archaeologists that the avenue was constructed to form the body of a snake, with the circle as the snake's head. The avenue stones alternate from tall and thin to broad and trapezoidal, leading to more speculation that they represent males and females respectively.
There is a very steep ditch and bank surrounding the stone circle. Excavation shows that the ditch was originally about 30 feet deep, with the bank an equal height. Do your math - that makes for a 60 foot tall barrier!
Avebury probably served as a religious and ceremonial centre, though what those beliefs or ceremonies were we do not know. We also don't know quite when the site was built, though the current best guess (subject to change at a moment's notice, it seems) is that it was begun in about 3000 BC. Nearby are West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill. Well worth visiting.
Marlborough,
Wiltshire,
England,
SN8 1RF
Bratton Camp is an Iron Age hillfort on Bratton Down, with two ditches and banks enclosing an arrea of 25 acres. At the centre of the site is a Neolithic long barrow, which predates the hillfort by up to 2000 years.
B3098,
Bratton,
Wiltshire,
England
An Iron Age hillfort which was later occupied during the Roman period. The hillfort is 14 acres in size, with two, or, in some places, three sets of banks and ditch defenses. Iron Age beads were found in the centre of the site, near later Roman pottery.
Chisbury,
Wiltshire,
England
A Neolithic henge and mound, located beside the River Avon. The henge is bounded by a bank and internal ditch, and encloses an area of about 35 acres. The earthworks are incomplete, especially on the southwest facing river side of the site, and there are two causewayed entrances.
Marden,
Wiltshire,
England
Membury hill fort has to be among the largest hill forts in the country, being more than 400 metres across. It consists of a treed rampart enclosing a large field and a pond, surrounded by trees, quite a strange feature in a hill fort.
Membury,
Wiltshire,
England
Attraction Type:
Prehistoric Heritage Highlight: One of the largest hillforts in the country in area Heritage Rating:? Location: The hillfort lies immediately west of Membury airfield and the Membury Services on the M4
OSSU297753 Nearest
attractions and accommodation Nearest:hotels - cottages - Bed
and Breakfasts
“The Seven Barrows” is really a misnomer, as there are more than 30 Bronze Age burial mounds, creating a sizeable prehistoric cemetery, within a short distance of the hamlet of Sevenbarrows, including a long barrow, as well as numerous bell barrows, disc barrows, and bowl barrows. The long barrow is the oldest remain in the cemetery, dating to about 4000 BCE, while the other barrows are much younger, constructed around 2000 BCE.
An enigmatic, conical neolithic mound, begun about 2900BC; the largest purpose-built structure in Europe. Yes, but what was it used for? No one really knows; the conjecture ranges from astronomical observatory to grave site, although no graves have been found in several attempts at excavation. The hill can only be viewed from the road. Please observe the posted warnings not to climb it!
West Kennet,
near Avebury,
Wiltshire,
England
The most famous ancient site in Britain. Built in several stages between 3000 and 1500BC, incorporating stones from as far away as the Preseli Mountains in Wales (219 miles). Stonehenge in depth
Amesbury,
Wiltshire,
England
The Stonehenge Landscape takes in much of the World Heritage Site around the famous stone circle. The National Trust owns 830ha of land surrounding Stonehenge, and within the extended landscape around the stone circle are burial mounds and a huge ‘cursus’ enclosure.
3-4 Stonehenge Cottages,
King Barrows Amesbury,
Wiltshire,
England,
SP4 7DD
This 17th century 3 star hotel with 68 en suite rooms stands in the centre of Salisbury overlooking the famous Cathedral. An ideal base to visit Stonehenge and the New Forest. 25 miles from Southampton Airport and 1 mile from Salisbury railway and coach station. This completely non-smoking hotel features … more >>
The Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel, is an original 13th Century riverside coaching inn, offering stunning views of Salisbury Cathedral. Following a recent ï¾£3/4m complete hotel update and refurbishment, all the original features of this non-smoking hotel have now been lovingly restored, including the wood panelling and open fire in … more >>
