Avebury Stone Circles – World’s Largest
Avebury Stone Circles
Avebury Stone Circles are a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Like Stonehenge, they date back to the neolithic period – erected some 4,500 years ago. The Avebury Stone Circles stand on the Marlborough Downs, just 40 minute’s drive from Stonehenge. The stone circle at Avebury is the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle (427 metre diameter), the circles are dotted around the village, which means there is no admission charge. Also you can get even closer to the stones than at Stonehenge. Seeing the stones from so close, you get a real appreciation of the monumental feat of erecting the henge. Avebury Stone Circles provide a genuinely inspiring experience which you will never forget.
Though the Avebury Stone Circles were built from around 2850 BC onwards, some stones were deliberately and systematically destroyed, broken or buried in Medieval times. In the 14th century, a hapless barber was likely buried alive while attempting to demolish one of the stones. If the stones were broken and buried, who restored the Avebury Stone Circles to their present form? That task fell to Alexander Keiller. During the 1930s, he uncovered and re-erected the buried stones.
The site is currently managed by English Heritage and there is a National Trust car park for visitors in the village (with free parking for National Trust and English Heritage members). The site is a short drive from the M4. See English Heritage site for directions.
The post image was captured at Avebury at the end of July. Though it was summer it was a little chilly that early, giving an autumnal feel. On the same day I also visited Stonehenge, which is just 20 miles south of the Avebury Stone Circles. Stonehenge images to follow in another post this week.
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