Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RF
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Prehistoric
Source image
9.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free entry
Cost
Ancient-feeling
Feel
Why it's Wildland
9.0A vast Neolithic henge surrounds part of Avebury village and contains Britain’s largest stone circle, with two smaller circles inside it.
This is a rare place where a prehistoric monument is woven into a living village: walk beside the stones, cross the great bank and ditch, and take in the scale of a ceremonial landscape that reaches far beyond the circle.
Ancient-feeling · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapAvebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RF
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The experience
Walk among the stones and across the henge earthworks, then use the village as a starting point for exploring other named monuments in the Avebury landscape. Paths can be uneven and muddy.
Things to do
Walk among the stone circles
Explore the largest stone circle in Britain and the two smaller circles enclosed within it.
Check before visiting
Take in the henge earthworks
Look beyond the stones to the huge circular bank and ditch that enclose the site.
Explore the surrounding prehistoric monuments
English Heritage identifies West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Long Barrow, The Sanctuary, Windmill Hill and Silbury Hill as part of the wider ceremonial landscape; many can be reached on foot from the village.
See finds at the Alexander Keiller Museum
The museum displays notable finds from the Avebury monuments. Check current opening arrangements before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Walk the great circle
- 01
Begin at the henge and take in the scale of the circular bank and ditch.
- 02
Walk among the stones of the largest circle and look for the two smaller circles enclosed within it.
- 03
Pause to notice how the monument surrounds part of Avebury village.
Half day · Half day; exact duration depends on which sites you visit
Explore the wider Avebury landscape
- 01
Start with the henge and stone circles.
- 02
Continue on foot to nearby monuments where paths and conditions allow.
- 03
Choose from West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Long Barrow, The Sanctuary, Windmill Hill and Silbury Hill; check access and conditions before setting out.
- 04
Visit the Alexander Keiller Museum to see finds from the Avebury monuments; check its current opening arrangements.
Verified history
English Heritage describes Avebury henge and its stone circles as built and much altered during the Neolithic period, roughly 2850–2200 BC. The henge is a huge circular bank and ditch enclosing part of Avebury village. Within it is Britain’s largest stone circle, originally about 100 stones, enclosing two smaller circles. English Heritage places Avebury within a wider Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial landscape and notes that Avebury and its surroundings, together with Stonehenge, form a World Heritage Site.
Hidden details
A monument around a village — The henge encloses part of Avebury village, making the relationship between the prehistoric earthworks and everyday settlement a striking feature of a walk here.
Three circles within the henge — The main stone circle encloses two smaller circles—an easily overlooked detail when attention is fixed on the outer ring.
When to go
· Daylight hours; no quieter time is verified.
The supplied evidence does not establish seasonal highlights or preferred months.
Paths may be uneven and muddy. Check conditions before visiting and wear suitable footwear.
Worth pairing with
West Kennet Avenue
A named prehistoric monument in the wider Avebury landscape; English Heritage says many such sites can be reached on foot from the village.
West Kennet Long Barrow
A nearby monument identified by English Heritage as part of the wider ceremonial landscape.
Silbury Hill
One of the named monuments in the wider Avebury landscape; check current access and route conditions before including it in a walk.
What to look for
- 01
Notice the scale of the henge’s circular bank and ditch
- 02
the largest stone circle and its two smaller enclosed circles
- 03
and how the monument surrounds part of the village.
The story
Neolithic archaeology and ceremonial landscape
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the supplied evidence does not identify a best season.
Open at reasonable times during daylight hours. The supplied evidence does not establish a quieter time of day or seasonal peak.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; allow longer to explore nearby monuments
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage states the site is open at reasonable times during daylight and has free entry. Paths may be uneven and muddy. The car park is charged and managed by the National Trust.
Parking
Charged National Trust car park; free for English Heritage members displaying a car sticker. Check current arrangements before travel.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets are available near the Alexander Keiller Museum.
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead because sheep frequently graze on site.
Accessibility
The supplied source reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. English Heritage warns that paths may be uneven and muddy; check current access information for route suitability.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free entry; charged car park
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
