Day out at Avebury
1. Avebury? Tell me more!
Avebury is a small and charming village in the heart of Wiltshire. It is home to a World Heritage Site full of UNESCO-listed monuments: Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill, West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Long Barrows, and much more. Sounds interesting? The place is full of Neolithic monuments, with massive stones erected many thousands of years ago. In stark contrast to Stonehenge, you can walk between these stones, get up close, feel the size of the individual obelisks, and appreciate the scale and precision of the earthworks and the stone circle.
The circle is large—more than 1,000 meters in circumference!
Avebury is a great full-day destination for adults, families, people interested in ancient history, and outdoor walk lovers. You can choose a short and relaxed walk all the way up to longer walking distances to stretch your legs and see much more. The place is full of interesting discoveries and things to see.
2. Getting there and things to bring with you.
Avebury is located just south of Swindon (the largest town), just off the A4 road. It is quite a rural area, full of gentle hills covered with vast fields, so the most convenient way to get there is by car. Of course, there are alternative options, such as the bus route - please check the relevant websites for tickets and timetables.
You can simply go and explore, but if you want to be prepared, there are a few things to consider:
- Good footwear. There will be very few paved paths, and plenty of gravel and grass paths. Some places are quite distant, so comfortable footwear would be appropriate. It can get pretty muddy after rain, and there are sheep sharing some open space areas, so wellies or more robust boots are recommended.
- Appropriate clothing. This is mostly an open-air location, surrounded by vast fields and hills. It can get windy and cold in the winter.
- Snacks and drinks. Of course, there are places to eat and drink in the village itself, as well as a small convenience store. However, if you're walking toward the long barrow, it is quite a distance, and having a drink—especially on a hot summer day—is always a good idea.
- Download and install the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App by Regeometra Ltd. It is available for both iPhones and Android devices. It is the best way to explore, get information about places, and use step-by-step navigation guidance. It is so useful that it should come first on this list..
Now you are all set!
3. Avebury - the charming village.
Most visitors to Avebury start their journey at the main car park (SN8 1RD). It is free for National Trust members (please read the instructions on how to use it with your membership) and a paid car park for other visitors. The car park is not small, but on a good-weather day, it can get busy.
This car park serves as the starting point for various destinations—whether you are heading to Avebury village high street, Avebury Manor, directly to the Stone Circle, or towards West Kennet Avenue or Silbury Hill.
The village is very compact and cozy. There are plenty of historical buildings along the main road, mixed with small souvenir shops, the magnificent St. James Church, and, of course, a pub. Just follow the paved main footpath from the car park and either follow the signs or use the OneStepMap app to show you the exact way.
There is a small shortcut from the car park towards the church, but it is very narrow, so we do not recommend it for families with prams.
It is easy to get to The Great Barn, which serves as a National Trust service point and ticket gateway for the Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury Manor, and Gardens. There, you can explore historical artifacts found in the area at the museum or admire the beautifully preserved manor house. The gardens are divided into several sections, full of greenery and flowers, making it a perfect place to take a break from the summer heat.
There are shops and facilities both at The Great Barn and along the High Street. Everything is close together, so you shouldn’t get lost. However, at any moment, a quick glance at the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App will show your exact position and what’s around the corner.
4. Stone circle – the main destination of the day.
No doubt, the stone circle is the star of the show. It is vast, full of massive stones, and—perhaps the most exciting part - you can get up close and have a front-row seat on this historic adventure. You can walk the full circle or simply explore the stones near Avebury village itself (there is plenty to see, and the largest stones are right there). The full walk is well over 1 km, with steps and some steep segments along the way.
The eastern part of the ring has a particularly uneven path, and in some places, the hedge or ditch is very close, so watch your step and don’t let small children wander too near.
If you haven’t decided which way to go, just open the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App to see what’s nearby or where you’d like to explore. Naturally, the best route is to walk around the entire stone circle and discover the most significant stones, each with its own story along the way.
In many places, your path will be elevated above the surrounding landscape, allowing you to appreciate the grand scale of the stone circle and the precision our ancestors achieved using only the most basic tools and incredible perseverance. This stone circle is a long-lasting triumph of human achievement.
The most important thing is not to rush your way around the stone circle. Enjoy the views. Imagine what life was like for ordinary people a few thousand years ago, before communication satellites, high-resolution TVs, and electricity bills. You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in the world!
Don’t worry—you’re unlikely to get lost during your walk around the circle. The paths are quite obvious, and the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App will always suggest a quicker route or shortcut if you need it.
Have your camera ready to capture the most interesting-looking stones and the amazing panoramas of the Neolithic landscape.
The stone circle has a very unique appearance in different parts: the most complete southwest segment with an impressive lineup of stones, the best views with the church and village in the background, topped by the largest Swindon Stone in the north, the mysterious northeast segment with the peculiar arrangement of remaining stones, and the elevated views of the eastern segment—overlooking the entire stone circle and the village.
5. Have about a nice walk?
Straight from the circle is West Kennet Avenue, an impressive ancient road marked with massive stones. It runs south from Avebury to Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, and further down to the Sanctuary and beyond. It feels special just to walk this ancient road, and the scale and complexity of its construction indicate its significant importance.
It is the first walk of considerable distance, so consult the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App to see how long it may take you to walk the length of the Avenue and back, or to track your current progress. You can always walk just part of the Avenue and back (for example, if you are visiting with small children and need manageable distances to keep everyone happy).
You will be surrounded by rolling hills disappearing into the distance, and the regularly spaced stones, many of which are still there, will guide you along the Avenue.
(!) Be very careful when crossing the road at the beginning of the Avenue. The road visibility is limited, so it's always a good idea to double-check both sides for oncoming cars.
6. Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow.
Getting to Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow is for the most demanding explorers. These locations are the furthest away from Avebury village and will not only require walking a greater distance but will also have more challenging uphill segments. Is it worth it if you're a capable walker? Of course-it will be the real gems of the day.
You can get there either by walking along West Kennet Avenue (preferred, as it offers better views and a straighter path) or by walking the bridleway from the car park. Have a look at the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App - both options are clearly indicated there.
The first thing you will see is a massive man-made mound - Silbury Hill. Everything about its size, shape, and position makes it stand out from the surrounding landscape. The best views are from the path that brings you there from The Avenue. You cannot climb to the top, but you can get very close along the A4 or from the viewpoint by the small car park.
Just across the road and situated in the middle of a large field is the well-preserved West Kennet Long Barrow. It is a fascinating, multi-purpose ancient structure that has survived to the modern day. Massive stones are interlocked to create a habitat, a religious site, and a warehouse. We are still learning about these mystical structures and their true purpose.
It is somewhat surreal to see such a complex and large structure on top of the hill - it must have taken an incredible effort for ancient people to build it. At any moment, you can use the Avebury Stones Interactive Map App to find the shortest way back to the car park or trace your journey the same way you got there.
(!) Please note - there might be a couple of steep hills along the way. If you have older people or children with you on that longer route, just pace yourself accordingly and allow time to enjoy the views (and the views are amazing!).
7. Adventure recap.
We hope this small overview and these tips will be helpful to anyone visiting the Avebury World Heritage Site for the first time or those who have been there before. It is a place that you can visit many times and discover something new with every visit. It’s a place to escape from the noisy towns and offices and dive into the history of the people who transformed civilization into a society of advanced craftsmen striving for progress. Here at Regeometra, we hope our app - Avebury Stones Interactive Map App - will accompany you along the way and help you navigate this area, making your day out a hassle-free adventure.