Avebury
Wiltshire, England

 

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A view of part of the 400m diameter earth ring and ditch surrounding some of the standing stones with Avebury village in the background.

Dating from 4,800 years ago, the Avebury stones form the largest stone circle in Europe and possibly in the world. There is a 400m diameter earth ring and deep ditch, originally encompassing 600 huge stones in three circles and two avenues. Many missing stones were retrieved and re-erected by Alexander Keiller in the 20's and 30's, while others were replaced by markers.

Begun by a Neolithic farming community Avebury was probably completed by the Beaker Folk, so called because they left drinking beakers in the graves of their dead.

 

An aerial drawing of Avebury village, courtesy of English Heritage.

This World Heritage Site is 24 miles(40kms) north of Stonehenge, and close to Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow and several White Horses.

 

 

Avebury's genuine old thatched pub is the perfect place for a preview snack and a drink, a stroll among the stones, another drink, a stagger, a stone-cold grope (yes, you can touch these stones), and so on. Next, Maiden Castle, Dorset.

 

 

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