Relaxed Guided Walks around the woods, downs and ancient sites of Wiltshire
Avebury and the Surrounding Ancient Sites
|
Distance:
|
1-6 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
2 - 6 Hrs
|
On-Site:
|
7 Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
1
|
Terrain:
|
Rise of 120 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Easy - 1
|
|
Price Band:
|
E
|
Features:
|
A M G
|
Day:
|
Click Here 9:30am
|
A6 - Full Day exploring Avebury
As mentioned in our introduction, many people simply miss out on so much in Avebury because of lack of research or map reading. Our Guided Walk A6 is a busy day spent in and around Avebury with a Path Leader. Sites will include Silbury Hill, the four Avenues, the Museum and naturally the Stone Circles themselves. Themes may include a Treasure Hunt, ‘Dowsing’ for a third Stone Circle, and Map-Reading/Compass skills.
|
Distance:
|
21 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
Variable
|
Total Time:
|
7 - 8 Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
3
|
Terrain:
|
Climb - 350 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Hard - 3.5
|
|
Price Band:
|
E
|
Features:
|
A B F M G S
|
Day:
|
Click Here 9:30am
|
A5 - Marlborough to Avebury via West Woods & returning over the Downs
This is an more feature-packed alternative to Walk A4, involving a certain degree of stamina, especially on a hot day. The Walk starts with our favourite stroll through ‘Treacle Bolly’ (ask your Path Leader about this!), past the Marlborough White Horse and along a section of the Wansdyke through West Woods, the remains of the medieval village of Shaw and up onto The Ridgeway. The Ridgeway is followed northwards, down into East Kennett, following the River Kennet eastwards, past West Kennett Long Barrow, Silbury Hill, and then into Avebury, where a short time can be spent viewing the Village. The return walk is made over the Downs, as described above in Walk A4.
|
Distance:
|
14 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
4½ - 5½ Hrs
|
Total Time:
|
6 -7 Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
4
|
Terrain:
|
Climb - 200 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Moderate - 2.5
|
|
Price Band:
|
D
|
Features:
|
A M S G
|
Day:
|
Click Here 9:30am
|
A4 - Marlborough to Avebury via the Marlborough Downs
A classic walk made by many people who stay in Marlborough and visit the ancient sites in the area. Although the walk looks daunting on the OS 157 map, it is achieved easily by anyone with some walking experience. Although the return journey just retraces the outward bound walk, the views are different, and time can be taken to observe and photograph things missed on the outward journey. The walk takes us up onto the Marlborough Downs, past many‘gallops’ (racehorse training areas) and Fyfield Down with its ‘Grey Wethers’, up to a height of some 770 ft asl where we join the ‘Herepath’ which crosses The Ridgeway and then drops down into the western Avenue of Avebury. As usual, time is then available to look around Avebury, and perhaps have a drink and a light snack.
|
Distance:
|
9 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
2½ - 3 Hrs
|
Total Time:
|
3½ - 4½ Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
1
|
Terrain:
|
Climb - 230 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Moderate - 2
|
|
Price Band:
|
C
|
Features:
|
A M S G
|
Day/Time:
|
Click Here 9:30am
|
A3 - The four Avenues, The Sanctuary, West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill.
An interesting Guided Walk taking in several of the ancient sites around Avebury. We start by looking at two of the four Avenues of Avebury, then leaving the village via a third Avenue, the ‘Herepath’. This takes us up to the Ridgeway, with it’s breathtaking views. A short walk is then taken to see the famous ‘Grey Wethers’ of Fyfield Down, before returning to The Ridgeway and visiting a Tumulus overlooking West Kennet Avenue. Across the main A4 we spend some time at The Sanctuary, before dropping down into East Kennet and following the River Kennet to West Kennet Long Barrow. Time will be spent at the Barrow, perhaps investigating ‘ley-lines’ here, with a short walk back to Avebury past Silbury Hill.
|
Distance:
|
5 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
1½ - 2 Hrs
|
Total Time:
|
3 - 3½ Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
1
|
Terrain:
|
Rise of 130 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Easy - 1.5
|
|
Price Band:
|
B
|
Features:
|
A M S G
|
Day/Time:
|
Click Here 1:00pm
|
A2 - Avebury and Windmill Hill.
A classic walk allowing the walkers plenty of time in Avebury, both before and after the walk. We start by exploring the Avebury Stone Circle and the village itself, and then proceed through Avebury Trusloe via the old western Avenue, marked by two Standing Stones. A gentle uphill walk covering one mile takes us to Windmill Hill, one of Britain’s largest neolithic causeways, covering over 20 acres, and being a meeting place for settlers to the area between 3000 and 3500 B.C. Views from the top of Windmill Hill include The Ridgeway, West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill - it is interesting to note that all of the major ancient sites in the area are all of a similar height, at around 580 - 600 ft. From Windmill Hill we follow the White Horse Trail for a short distance before returning back into Avebury, where time can be taken to explore the two other Avebury Avenues, and perhaps search for the third Stone Circle that is said to exist inside the Main Circle.
|
Distance:
|
4 miles
|
Walk Time:
|
1 - 1½ Hrs
|
Total Time:
|
2 - 2½ Hrs
|
|
No of Climbs
|
2
|
Terrain:
|
Rise of 120 ft
|
Difficulty:
|
Very Easy - 1
|
|
Price Band:
|
A
|
Features:
|
A M N G
|
Day/Time:
|
Click Here 9:30am
|
A1 - Silbury Hill, West Kennett Long Barrow, and the entry to Avebury via West Kennet Avenue.
The walk starts at Avebury, with a short walk to Silbury Hill Car Park where there is a viewing platform. Silbury Hill cannot be ascended due to the erosion that is caused through this, however we then commence our walk past the Hill itself, allowing views that demonstrates its immense size. We continue for a half-mile to West Kennet Long Barrow, where the group will be shown some of the other ancient sites in the area to allow us to get our bearings. The group may wish to experiment ‘divining’ (or dowsing) around the Barrow. From the Barrow we proceed into the village of West Kennett and cross the main A4 to follow along West Kennett Avenue which proceeded from The Sanctuary and into Avebury.
We are very fortunate in having so many important historic and ancient sites in North
Wiltshire, and one of the finest has to be the prehistoric site at Avebury. Most
visitors to Avebury spend a day within the Stone Circle, exploring the stones themselves,
enjoying a meal at the village Restaurant or Pub, admiring the views from atop the
Circle Banks, and perhaps a visit to the Museum. But there are so many more ancient
sites to visit in the surrounding area, and all these are within easy walking distance
from Avebury. It is possible to visit all these sites within one day, but this would
leave little time to explore Avebury and the other sites themselves, so we have divided
our Avebury visits into more manageable and relaxing walks. All our Avebury Guided
Walks allow for extra time to explore the village and the Stones, have a meal, take
photographs, and enjoy the surroundings, but note that this is not shown in the ‘Total
Time’ information box.
Key to Features
available during walks
Bluebells (mid April - end May
New - Geocache on this Walk
