B4003, near Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RD
West Kennet Avenue
Prehistoric
Source image
8.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Ancient-feeling
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.0A winding avenue of standing stones once linked Avebury with The Sanctuary. English Heritage describes it as originally comprising around 100 pairs of prehistoric stones.
This is not just a scattering of standing stones: it is a surviving part of a deliberately laid-out prehistoric route, linking major monuments across the Avebury landscape. Its winding line makes the walk itself part of the story.
Ancient-feeling · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapB4003, near Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RD
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The experience
Walk the surviving avenue and look at how the stones trace a winding link between Avebury and The Sanctuary. Uneven surfaces mean suitable footwear is advised; the wider Avebury sites are best explored on foot.
Things to do
Walk the surviving avenue
Follow the winding line of standing stones between Avebury and The Sanctuary, the route English Heritage describes as an originally approximately 1½-mile ritual link.
Check locally; no visit duration is specified by the supplied source.
Look at the avenue as a connected route
Notice the winding alignment and surviving stones as parts of a link between monuments, rather than as isolated standing stones.
Add the Alexander Keiller Museum
English Heritage recommends beginning an exploration of Avebury’s sites at the museum, where visitors can learn about the sites in its care.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Follow the stone avenue
- 01
Start from the B4003 layby at the south end of the avenue, or use the Avebury village car park as an alternative.
- 02
Walk along the surviving avenue, taking time to notice its winding line and the standing stones.
- 03
Wear suitable footwear: English Heritage warns that surfaces are uneven.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Avebury’s monuments
- 01
Begin at the Alexander Keiller Museum in Avebury to learn about the sites in English Heritage’s care.
- 02
Explore West Kennet Avenue on foot.
- 03
Continue to other Avebury monuments named by English Heritage, such as Avebury Stone Circle, West Kennet Long Barrow, Windmill Hill, The Sanctuary or Silbury Hill; check individual site details before setting out.
- 04
Allow time for the uneven ground and prepare for the weather.
Verified history
English Heritage describes West Kennet Avenue as an avenue originally made up of around 100 pairs of prehistoric standing stones, forming a winding ritual link of about 1½ miles between the pre-existing monuments of Avebury and The Sanctuary. It is part of the Avebury World Heritage Site. The site is in the freehold ownership of the National Trust, in English Heritage guardianship, and managed by the National Trust on English Heritage’s behalf.
Hidden details
A route between older monuments — The avenue connected the pre-existing monuments of Avebury and The Sanctuary; its significance lies in the relationship between places as well as in the stones themselves.
When to go
· Daylight; English Heritage says the site is open at any reasonable time during daylight hours.
The supplied official source does not identify a seasonal peak. The avenue can be visited in daylight throughout the year, subject to conditions underfoot and weather.
Prepare for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Surfaces are uneven.
Worth pairing with
Alexander Keiller Museum
English Heritage recommends beginning an exploration of the Avebury sites here. It also notes that toilets and a café are available near the museum.
The Sanctuary, Avebury
A nearby monument named by English Heritage as one of the Avebury sites to explore on foot; the page gives its distance as 0.7 miles from West Kennet Avenue.
Avebury Stone Circle
One of the Avebury monuments English Heritage suggests including when exploring the area on foot.
West Kennet Long Barrow
Another of the Avebury sites named by English Heritage as part of a wider visit.
What to look for
Notice the avenue’s winding alignment and the surviving standing stones. Consider how the route connects Avebury with The Sanctuary, rather than viewing the stones as isolated objects.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology; part of the Avebury World Heritage Site
Best time to go
Any season; choose a clear day for walking between the stones and exploring the wider Avebury landscape.
Visit in daylight in clear weather, when the line of stones and surrounding landscape are easier to take in. Wear suitable footwear.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage lists free entry and says the avenue is open at any reasonable time during daylight hours. The surface is uneven. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
English Heritage reports free parking in the layby at the south end of the avenue on the B4003. The National Trust car park in Avebury village is an alternative; English Heritage members need to display a car sticker there for free parking.
Toilets
Toilets are available near the museum in Avebury; check before travelling.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A café is available near the museum in Avebury; check before travelling.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Sheep may be grazing; English Heritage asks visitors to keep dogs on leads.
Accessibility
The English Heritage page notes uneven surfaces and says the wheelchair-accessible entrance is not available. Check directly with the site manager about current access conditions.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around West Kennet Avenue
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
