Absolute Touring

Avebury

Avebury

• Though less famous than Stonehenge, Avebury is one of Europe's largest prehistoric stone circles
• Unlike at Stonehenge you may still walk between the stones - and touch them!
• Thought to date from around 2600BC, The site is a remnant of a ritual Neolithic landscape, which still survives although degraded with time and the actions of over zealous groups in past centuries
• The stones were quarried from the Marlborough Downs and transported overland, probably on wooden rollers - a monumental task as some of the stones are over 40 tonnes, almost twice as heavy as those at nearby Stonehenge
• Originally around 100 stones were here, although only 27 remain, the missing stones marked by concrete posts
• Site was restored in the 1930s by 'Marmalade Millionaire' Alexander Keiller
• Uncover the 'Story of the Stones' in the interactive Barn Gallery nearby
• Avebury appears to have been the centre of a large array of ritual sites: to the south stands mysterious Silbury Hill and on a nearby hill-top is West Kennet Long Barrow. Overlooking Avebury, to the north west is the Windmill Hill encampment (complete with round barrows)
• Voted one of the most spiritual places in the country
• Find out more on the National Trust website - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-avebury/

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Approx 1 hour south-west of Oxford