Have you heard of the historic county, Wiltshire? Perhaps you haven’t, and yet some of the most popular destinations are visited within Wiltshire. These include; Stonehenge and the lovely Cotswolds. Sound familiar? When comparing the great Stonehenge, there is one great henge within Wiltshire that pre-dates this. Therefore, missing as a bucket list option is a visit to the largest henge in Europe.
The Avebury Henge and Stone Circles is a worthy option when visiting England. There’s more than meets the eye with the Avebury ring. Much more to delve into and explore. And, as you do, you’ll notice the grand scale of what was once the great Avebury Henge and Stone Circles in Wiltshire. Here’s a look at the history, building method, structure of the Avebury ring, its purpose and comparison to other Neolithic sites.
From London to the World of Stone Circles
4,800 BC saw the moving hunter-gatherers form permanent settlements and communities. As a result, the Neolithic Age brought new advancements in agriculture and tools! Familiar tools are still in use today. From the stone axes to the use of flint and more. The Stone Circles of Avebury represented the growth in knowledge, methods, and communities forming together.
Facts about Avebury Henge
- The creation of the stone circles began in 2850 BC and came to completion around 2200 BC.
- The longest stone circle has a circumference of more than 1,000 feet.
- Avebury was built 4,500 years before Stonehenge.
- The tallest stone was estimated to have reached 18 feet.
- Avebury’s stone circle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving the site a special responsibility.
From London: Stonehenge & the Stone Circles of Avebury
From £109
Explore the most visited Stone Circles in the UK on this small group tour! See West Kennet Long Barrow, a large Neolithic tomb and Silbury Hill, the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe. Enjoy lunch at your expense at the Red Lion pub in Avebury.
The Unknown Purpose of The Stone Circles
Now, the purpose of the Stone circles is a matter of speculation! Theories are but evidence-based imaginations. Based on the style of the Avebury ring, the centre of the settlement and the alignment of the stones – it’s argued that this became a Ceremonial Centre. This leads to the potential of gatherings around rituals or celebrations. The paganistic religion, practices and views of worship around crafted man-made objects make for a good theory. Other Theories on its purpose include; the reflection of the astronomical calendar, a burial site and more. One thing is sure, we will always be on the speculative end!
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Avebury Henge and Stone Circles: Layout
The Outer Stone Hedge
The Outer Stone Hedge forms an oval that is considered the largest ancient boundary. Made up of upright stones, the boundary spans 1.2 kilometres.
The outer Stone Circle
Now for key insight, the outer stone circle is the largest in the world! Though what remains of this is roughly 27 stones. Walking the curve of the circle shows the grand size of the stones.
The Inner Stoner Circle
Inside the outer stone circle are two smaller stone circles, less significant than the outer ones but remnants of that point to peganistic symbolism of the Stone Circles. It’s thought these came after the main construction of the Outer stone circle, or perhaps entrances into the large circle.
Touring Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
As a recommendation, start with the Swindon Stone, which makes for a convenient start of your stone circle experience. As you walk around, you’ll come across bollard-like stones which mark where the planted stones used to be.
Once you get to the end, get across the road to view the next set of stones. Briefly make a stop by the inner circle remnants before walking up the steps to get on the elevated hedge. Here, take a moment to enjoy the weather and landscape and imagine what the monument would have looked like as you look across the whole site.
Make The Pre-Historic Trip
Join us on a pre-historic trip down memory lane, and walk the grounds in which many ancestors once did! Hear from our engaging guides as you hear the stories and relive history. Visit both Avebury and Stonehenge in one day, with all pickups being from London.
Other Neolithic Places Nearby
Just a short walk from Avebury Henge, this Neolithic burial chamber is one of the longest in Europe. Explore the passage tomb and imagine the lives of those buried here over 5,000 years ago.
Recommendation
Silbury Hill, the largest prehistoric mound in Europe. Its purpose remains a puzzle, but theories range from a burial site to a religious monument.
Day trips from London & Private Group Tours
Join us on popular day trips from London and ditch the travel planning to focus on attractions you want to see. Learn about our Private Group Tours also!
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