An adventurous drive from London to Salisbury and on to the mysterious Avebury. A property of the National Trust in Kennet, in the heart of Wiltshire, it is like stepping back in time.
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A small hard to find cathedral and grave yard in the city center
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Take a good map, this is a small village best known for the standing stones surrounding the village, as well as the West Kennet Long Barrow, Silbury Hill ( a temple-like grassed over mound). This is best a day trip with perhaps saying in a larger town like Salisbury. 90 miles from London, and you can also take the train to Salisbury and there are also tour buses, although that would keep you from exploring.
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As for Avebury, the locals do not seem to be keen on the tourists. There is 1 parking area sort of on the outskirts of town, and from there you can hike into town and see the enormous stones that surround the town, in what was surely once an interesting formation. The funny part was seeing a circle, and then a gap, and in the gap a home made from the same kind of missing stone. I take it decades ago, or longer, building materials were more important than preservation. The town does seem to like the occult image, the shops were not short on witch and goddess/Pagen god statues and symbols. It was great.
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entrance to the West Kennet Long Barrow- same stones, but much different use. You have to go in
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Part of the fun of the area is getting there, and looking for the White Horses, hillside carvings of horses with the carving being white. Dating back to the 1700's , they are scattered throughout the area with 8 being in the Avebury area. You can get a good map of how to see the white horses in Wiltshire at most tourist stops. Silbury hill is off limits, and there is a small parking lot where you can get out and look around. Across the highway just a bit is the famous Long Barrow, an underground stone henge of sorts, and you must park on the side of the highway and hike about 1 mile, up hill. You can go in the underground barrow, look around and wonder at what it must have been used for.
Stonehenge is on the way from Salisbury, and I am not going into that one as it is so well known. But do see it on the way!Worth the drive to see for sure.
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Avebury group of stone circles
You can get a good stone circle and formation map at
www. megalith.ukf.net
As an American, I was somehow misled to believe that StoneHenge was the only thing like that over there, man was I suprised to be so wrong!
Silbury Hill, which is just outside of Avebury, as well as the Long Barrow- all in Wiltshire area.
The Sanctuary dates back to 2500 BCE- perhaps was a temple, and is linked to Avebury by stone marked paths.
Silbury and Kennet Long Barrow are also marked (although some are missing) by stone paths and markers and meet up in the largest stone circle in Europe, Avebury.
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Day trip it! It is a small village and the inns are few.
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There are pubs all over the area, many are open only for day light hours, and are truly a locals gathering spot. One near Avebury came right out and said they were closing and we had to leave. Of course the place was full of locals, but ok, we got the hint, no worries.
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There is acutally a nice place called the Waggon and Horses on the Beckhampton roundabout just before town. Family friendly too. Very much a tourist spot, but that is ok too.
In the heart of the town, near the main stone areas, past some sheep and some stones (haha) is The Circle Restaurant. Great food, vegetarian food, and outdoor cafe seating. Friendly staff.
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Published on Friday August 12th, 2005
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Publish on Facebook
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Sat, Aug 20 2005 - 11:27 AM
 by eirekay
| Terrific Report about am area I had never heard of. Now I know to add it to my list of place to see! |
Mon, Aug 15 2005 - 01:21 AM
 by downundergal
| Good report. I agree this area is fascinating. |
Fri, Aug 12 2005 - 10:02 AM
by davidx
| Some good information here. Yes, much of Wiltshire has great antiquities |
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