OVERVIEW: This is a record breaker of a walk. The Guinness Book of Records. mentions three of the monuments en route – so clearly the whole area is very important for archaeologists. The earthworks and stone circles at Avebury are described as “Britain’s largest megalithic prehistoric monument”. Silbury Hill is renowned for being the “largest artificial mound in Europe”, while the West Kennett Long Barrow is “England’s longest barrow containing a megalithic chamber”. Add the site of the Sanctuary, a Bronze Age stone circle, plus a stretch of the Ridgeway, one of the most ancient track ways in Britain, and it’s clear to see why this area has been designated a World Heritage Site. This is one walk which can truly be described as “footsteps through history”. Visit it out of season to avoid crowds of visitors.

DETAILS:
Region : South West
Area : Wiltshire Avebury
Length : 10.5km/6.5 miles
Time : 3hrs 
Difficulty : Moderate

Is this walk for you?
Terrain : Relatively flat tracks and paths, crossing Wiltshire’s chalk downland.
Stiles : 6 - Suitable for children and dogs.

PLANNING:
Parking : The signposted public car-park in Avebury.
Start grid ref : SU099695
Nearest town : Marlborough.
Refreshments : The Red Lion in Avebury.
Public toilets: Avebury.
Public transport : Buses from Swindon to Marlborough pass through Avebury, Tel #: 01722 336855.

MAPS:
Ordnance Survey Landranger 173 or Ordnance Survey Explorer 157

THE WALK:
Section 1. Leave the car park, turn right along the A4361 for 18m (20 yards) before turning left to follow a footpath signposted to West Kennett Long Barrow. Follow an enclosed path alongside the infant River Kennet for 0.8km (½ mile) until it ends at a handgate – Silbury Hill is away on the right-hand side. Continue ahead along the right edge of an open field to another handgate and the A4. Turn left for 23m (25 yards) before turning right to pass through a metal kissing gate, before continuing along a gravelled path running across the field towards the Kennet. Cross the river, pass through the metal kissing gate and continue along an enclosed path. Shortly – where this path bears right to head up to West Kennett Long Barrow – a detour uphill for 0.4km (¼ mile) is necessary to visit this ancient monument. Continue ahead to enter an open field.

Section 2. Follow the left edge of this field to a gate in the corner before continuing along a short stretch of enclosed track down to a lane. Cross the stile opposite and follow the right edge of the next field to a stile almost in the far right-hand corner, passing one redundant stile along the way. Cross this stile and continue on an enclosed footpath for 137m (150 yards) to a crosstrack. Turn left and, in just 9m (10 yards) turn right on to a bridleway. Follow this track uphill for 274m (300 yards) to a junction with a farm track alongside some barns. Follow this track to the left downhill into East Kennett, passing cottages, farm buildings and the church before reaching a road junction. Turn right, pass the village school and continue along the lane for 91m (100 yards) to the next junction. Turn left, sign-posted to West Overton. After 91m (100 yards), where the main lane bears right, keep ahead along a cul-de-sac lane. Follow this lane until, having crossed the Kennet, it enters an open hillside field. Follow the left edge of this field uphill to the A4 and the site of the Sanctuary.

Section 3: Cross the main road to reach the start of the Ridgeway on Overton Hill. Follow this track northwards for 3.2km (2 miles) to a crossroads, a gate on the right giving access to Fyfield Down National Nature Reserve. At this point, leave the Ridgeway and turn left, following a byway – called Green Street – downhill back into Avebury. After 2.4km (1½ miles), where this byway joins the A4361 in Avebury, follow the main road ahead as it passes the Red Lion. Where the road bears left, keep ahead along Avebury’s High Street. About 18m (20 yards) past the Henge Shop, turn left along an enclosed path which borders a section of the stone circle. Follow this path back to the car park.