England
Wiltshire

Wiltshire Travel Guide - Prehistoric Sites

From Stone crcles to long barrows, Wiltshire is a treasure trove for those who enjoy exploring England's past.

Avebury Stone Circle Location map Marlborough, Wiltshire 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 Location: 6 m W Marlborough on the A4361 Website: Avebury Stone Circle Email: avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01672 539 250 Fax: 01672 539 388 National Trust

Silbury Hill West Kennet, Wiltshire 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! near Avebury, West Kennet, Wiltshire, England, Location: 1 mile W of West Kennet on A4. Parking available. Website: Silbury Hill English Heritage

Stonehenge Amesbury, Wiltshire 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, Location: 2 miles W of Amesbury, at junction of A303 and A344 Website: Stonehenge Phone: 0870 333 1181 English Heritage

West Kennet Long Barrow SU104677, Wiltshire Long, tapering chambered tomb, with several galleries off the main passage. May have been linked with the nearby Avebury complex in ritual observances. near Avesbury, SU104677, Wiltshire, England, Location: along footpath off A4 Website: West Kennet Long Barrow English Heritage

Windmill Hill Avebury, Wiltshire The most famous of the causewayed camps, it even gave its name to the culture which created them. It may have been used as a communal gathering-place, and for religious observances. Avebury, Wiltshire, England, Location: On a minor road at the north end of Avebury Trusloe village Website: Windmill Hill English Heritage

Woodhenge Durrington, Wiltshire Ditched enclosure that once housed a wooden building made up of six concentric circles. Possibly the site of child-sacrifice; the skeleton of an infant was found in a grave within the henge, its skull split in two. Durrington, Wiltshire, England, Location: Just off the A345 immediately south of Durrington Website: Woodhenge English Heritage