Staying in Avebury

Saturday June 6, 2009

Avebury is the largest stone circle in Great Britain, and some say the most impressive. Just 20 miles north of Stonehenge, it is nowhere near as famous as its fellow circle, yet those who visit always fall under its spell. The focus is the massive circle of stones – in which the tiny village of Avebury is located – but there is also the remains of two smaller circles within this one, as well as two old processional avenues that lead to the circle, one almost gone now, but the other still beautifully intact. You can also walk to nearby Silbury Hill, the largest manmade mound in the Europe, and West Kennett Long Barrow, an incredible Neolithic burial tomb you can walk inside.

You can get a bus from Swindon or Salisbury, although it’s not that easy to get to by public transport, so it’s far better to stay for at least a night, and be able to get up early and walk around the stone circle in the swirling dawn mists, and spend hours tramping around the landscape, laying your hands on the amazing stones and drinking tea in the cute 400-year-old pub in the middle of the circle.

I stayed at Manor Farm (right, above the bank and ditch henge), a wonderful B&B that’s actually inside the stone circle. It's really beautiful, and while there are two massive bedrooms and a huge bathroom, the woman who owns it rents out the whole first floor to only one person or group (up to four) at a time, so you have it to yourself. For information or to make a booking write to Mrs J Farthing, Manor Farm, High Street, Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF England, or phone +44 (0)1672 539 294.

Another accommodation option is the Red Lion pub, which is also inside the circle, which does good food and nice hot pots of tea, and where you can stay at night. The only downside is that you're locked in between 11.30pm and 8am because it's heritage listed, so you can’t go outside for the sunrise. Which might not bother everyone, but I wanted to be up early to wander down the Avenue as the rising sun streaked the mist in reds, yellows and lavenders... It’s the Red Lion, High Street, Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF, phone 01672 539 266 or email 7928@greeneking.co.uk...

There’s also The Lodge, which looks really nice, but it’s a bit out of my price range so I’ve never stayed there :-)

To return to the Blog homepage, click here.

To return to the Main homepage, click here.

Seven Sacred Sites and A Magical Journey are available from bookstores across Australia, distributed by Brumby Books, and through this website.

Send Serene an email.