Ambling Around Avebury

[kookaburra75]

I'm across to the UK 2-3 times a year with work, usually for two weeks. I try and spend the middle weekend exploring different parts of the countryside - and as our office is near Oxford there is quite a lot in a very small (to us Aussies) radius. I try and find places where I can do leisurely walks, away from the main tourist trails and has a pub to stay at.

This trip I went down to Avebury, as it was mentioned to me that it was a lot better than Stonehenge. I saw Stonehenge in the early 70's when you could walk among the stones, so I didn't have any urge to go back there. So Avebury it was. The weather forecast looked good and I found a B&B in Beckhampton (Beckhampton Bed and Breakfast) just near Avebury, and across the road from a pub, the Wagon and Horses. So the essentials had been taken car of. I drove down to Beckhampton from near Didcot on Friday afternoon, along the A4 through Marlborough, which is a pleasant drive in itself and only takes an hour. If you have time, taking the B4507 from Didcot to Swindon and then swing down to the A4 is also a good drive.

That evening I spoke with the owners of the B&B, Simon and Kate and they have a lot of books, maps and advice on what to see in the area. I planned by next day's walk with my usual precision (random route planning) and set off in the morning fueled by a high quality english breakfast. I planned on and completed the loop as shown below. It took me five hours of ambling along at a very slow pace to preserve my dodgy ankle and knee.

 

[Major]

An interesting amble

 

[Deleted member]

we Loved Avebury and have visited a couple of times. The visit to Avebury manor featured in “to the Manor reborn “ was well worth the effort as well.

 

[VPS]

we Loved Avebury and have visited a couple of times. The visit to Avebury manor featured in “to the Manor reborn “ was well worth the effort as well.

Thank you - I'd forgotten about that so now it's starred for my next trip.

 

[kookaburra75]

An interesting amble

Thanks - I'll try and get started on posting the photos tonight. I've got them off the camera at least

 

[ALH]

Thank you - I'd forgotten about that so now it's starred for my next trip.

Avebury Manor was fabulous, with lots of hands-on activities, including embroidery.

Make sure you get hold of the TV program before you go to the Manor and you’ll get so much out of the visit.

Sorry to hijack your Post @kookaburra75. Back to you.

 

[VPS]

Avebury Manor was fabulous, with lots of hands on activities, including embroidery.

Make sure you get hold of the TV program before you go to the Manor and you’ll get so much out of the visit.

Sorry to hijack your Post @kookaburra75. Back to you.

Thanks - I have seen the program and loved it and had forgotten that you could visit.

Apologies @kookaburra75 - looking forward to the rest of the TR

 

[kookaburra75]

Finally got time to at least get the photos in for the first leg of my Amble. During my hearty breakfast at the B&B, another couple who were keen walkers poured over my planned walk and provided wealth of suggestions and the little things to see and watch out for. I headed out the door and across the road past the pub, and along the footpath which took me to the north and up to two stones known as Adam and Eve, which are thought to be the remaining stones in an avenue that came down from Avebury.

Like most of the stones in the area they are massive, up to 5m wide, 5m high and 1m thick. Not allowing for the bit in the ground that's 25 cubic metres of rock that they hauled from the outcrop of sandstone and dragged into position.

I turned north east and continued on up Bray Street past the collection of smaller places and a couple of large farm houses in the area. And then into the village of Avebury past the church.

It's a pretty village in its own right, although a mix of houses ranging from 16th to 19th century.

But people go there for the stones. And here are the stones.

They circle the village - or really they built the village in the circle. It's divided up into four quarters, which was part of the original design apparently.

There were some studies done of the stones in the 1600's and 1700's and then a lot of work in the 1930's. A lot of the stones had fallen/been knocked over, and were reinstated. They also placed markers where stones had been.
The other amazing thing about the place was the ditch around the circle. When they said 'ditch' I thought maybe a metre or so deep, as it was dug by hand with deer antler shovels etc. It was originally up to 9m deep, and after years of filling in, is still at least 5m deep.

View from the top of the bund on the south side looking back to the centre of Avebury
After taking a slow lap around the stones at Avebury, I set off on my next part of the amble, along the West Kennet Avenue

 

[kookaburra75]

Part 3 of the Amble took me down the hill, along the West Kennet Avenue. They think the avenue extended even further than today, and again there are a series of very large rocks that would have been man-handled into position. The outcrop the rocks came from is to the east of the number 6 on my map, on top of an adjoining hill - so no aliens involved.

The photos of the Avenue were taken form the southern end, and also from part way up the hill as I headed across towards Silbury Hill. As you can see, it was a fine, sunny day and perfect for a walk


At the top of the hill, I could see over to Silbury Hill. I headed down to the bottom of the hill and turned south to walk across to the West Kennet Long Barrow.

Looking back towards Silbury Hill At the top of the next hill, with Silbury Hill in the background


The Long Barrow was interesting to wander around and in. At 100m long, with large rocks as the walls and roof it's a massive struture. There were five burial chambers with 50 skeletons placed in the chambers. Standing on the top of the hill, it was interesting to look around and think of what the original builders were thinking when they built the barrow around 3600BC.

I then headed back down the hill for the next stage of my amble.

 

[kookaburra75]

The next stage of my Amble, took me back down the hill from the West Kennett Long Barrow and then along the brook at the bottom of the hill. The track ran along open fields, past flocks of overly interested sheep, over stiles and along over grown paths. All very relaxing.


The track then turned north and back up the hill to the main road, and The Sanctuary. It was hard to get the sense of scale in the photos, but in the past (abt 3000 years ago) the site consists of a series of rings of wooden posts and stones. The archaeological digs have been able to work out where they used to be, and they have placed coloured concrete markers for the wooden posts and stone. Reading up about The Sanctuary before my walk, the authors outlined what the sites might have been for, but summed it up by saying they don't really know, which is an honest opinion at least.

In the centre of the photo above, you can make out the West Kennett Long Barrow. There are also other Barrows where the trees are in the top left of the photo. Apparently there are over 10 major Barrows in the area. There is so much packed into the area, which does make you wonder why there?

 

[kookaburra75]

Last part of my Amble.

From The Sanctuary, I headed north across the main road, and along The Ridgeway. It's trade route that has been in use for 5,000+ years. I've walked on parts of it near Watlington and Uffington, so this was a new part. The views from along the ridge line walk are spectacular, and being a fine day I could see for quite a distance.


There were quite a few people along the track up to the turn off back down to Avebury. I had a few good chats with the locals and other walkers - due in part to a dodgy ankle which meant I had to stop and have a rest, and take in the scenery. Which isn't a bad thing.

After arriving back in Avebury, I had a late lunch at the Red Lion and then strolled back to the B&B at Beckhampton to rest and recover at the Wagon and Horses pub across the road.

But, if you're in this part of the world, do yourself a favour and take a walk around the area.

 

[Hvr]

Avebury is a magnificent place and I'm enjoying this TR. Thanks for some great photos and text.

I was fortunate enough to visit Avebury a couple of years ago en route to Stonehenge. The guide assured us prior to arrival that Avebury was at least as spectacular as Stonehenge. He was correct.

 

[Robos65]

Last part of my Amble.

From The Sanctuary, I headed north across the main road, and along The Ridgeway. It's trade route that has been in use for 5,000+ years. I've walked on parts of it near Watlington and Uffington, so this was a new part. The views from along the ridge line walk are spectacular, and being a fine day I could see for quite a distance.

View attachment 140179
There were quite a few people along the track up to the turn off back down to Avebury. I had a few good chats with the locals and other walkers - due in part to a dodgy ankle which meant I had to stop and have a rest, and take in the scenery. Which isn't a bad thing.
View attachment 140261
After arriving back in Avebury, I had a late lunch at the Red Lion and then strolled back to the B&B at Beckhampton to rest and recover at the Wagon and Horses pub across the road.

But, if you're in this part of the world, do yourself a favour and take a walk around the area.

Thanks Kookaburra, A great read, I have added this to my travel list