Avebury
Lesser known to many visitors than it's Wiltshire neighbour Stonehenge, Avebury is one of Europe's largest neolithic henges (earthworks of bank and ditch), comprising three stone circles which partially encompass the village of Avebury itself, and is thought to form a connection with other nearby historic monuments of Long Kennet and Silbury Hill.
Perhaps due to it size, Avebury's stone cicles did not fare well over the past couple of thousand years after the monument was abandoned around the time of the Iron Age: changes to religious beliefs and the building of the village and its practical needs over time led to many of the stones being removed or destroyed from the medieval period onwards. Thanks to records created in the 17th century before the major part of the sites destruction, the stone circles were restored and reconstructed during the 1930's by archaeologist Alexander Keiller (although some what controversially as this required partial demolition of the village itself).
Avebury offers a more 'hands on' experience than Stonehenge as you are able to touch and walk around the stones themselves and see how they link in the landscape to neighbouring neolithic monuments such as the West Kennet Avenue and Long Barrow. Avebury village is picturesque and a visit to the Manor House and musuem is recommended.
Tour Options
Avebury can be visited either on one of Celtic Horizon's suggested tour routes or build it in to a custom tour around your own requirements - contact us for details and prices.
Please note that we only offer journeys and tours that are exclusive to your family or party: we do not operate scheduled shared tour bus services.
Avebury Websites
"Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument located in Wiltshire, England, about 20 miles (32 km) north of Stonehenge. It is the largest stone circle in the world, enclosing an area of approximately 28 acres (11 hectares). The monument is believed to have been constructed around 2600 BC, during the same time period as Stonehenge.
The Avebury monument consists of a large circular ditch and bank, with an outer stone circle and two inner circles. The stones used to construct the monument are mainly made of local sarsen stone and vary in size, with some weighing up to 40 tons.
Avebury also includes two smaller stone circles, the Cove and the Beckhampton Avenue, as well as a number of barrows (burial mounds) and other earthworks. The monument is part of a larger complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in the area, including the West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill.
Like Stonehenge, the purpose of Avebury is not fully understood, although it is believed to have had religious and ceremonial significance. The monument is also associated with pagan and mystical beliefs and has inspired a number of myths and legends over the centuries.
Today, Avebury is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can explore the monument and the surrounding landscape on foot. The site is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is managed by the National Trust."