Avebury Stone Circle and West Kennet

This 6-hour tour showcases Avebury Stone Circle, Europe's largest prehistoric stone monument, plus the Neolithic long barrow at West Kennet and Silbury Hill, a 5,500-year-old artificial mound. Unlike the popular Stonehenge, Avebury allows you to walk among the standing stones. You'll explore both above-ground structures and the interior chamber of the West Kennet barrow, with guidance on Neolithic construction methods and spiritual significance. Best for Ancient history enthusiasts and spiritual seekers. This is a moderate activity lasting 6 hours. Group size: max 20. You meet at Barton Farm Country Park. Key highlights: Avebury Stone Circle: Europe's largest prehistoric stone monument with 93 standing sarsen stones in a circle 1,000 feet in diameter, Walk among the stones, unlike Stonehenge where access is restricted to a roped perimeter, West Kennet Long Barrow: 340-foot Neolithic passage grave (burial chamber) with internal stone passages, explored on foot.

Price: £42

Duration: 6 hours

Difficulty: moderate

Group size: max 20

Best for: Ancient history enthusiasts and spiritual seekers

Best time: June for longest daylight and summer solstice celebrations at Avebury; September-October for clear skies and cooler walking temperatures; avoid November-February when ground becomes muddy and waterlogged

Meeting point: Barton Farm Country Park

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

8:30am Coach departure from Barton Farm Country Park - Travel approximately 1 hour to Avebury village.

9:45am Guided walk among Avebury Stone Circle - 1.5 hours walking the perimeter of the 93-stone circle, discussing Neolithic construction, astronomical alignment, and archaeological discoveries; includes climbing the 30-foot bank that surrounds the stones.

11:15am Free time in Avebury village - 30 minutes to visit the small museum in the Tudor manor, grab coffee at the village cafe, or photograph the stones from different angles.

12:00pm Coach journey to West Kennet Long Barrow - 15-minute drive south across Wiltshire chalk downs.

12:30pm Guided tour inside West Kennet Long Barrow - Approximately 45 minutes exploring the 340-foot Neolithic chamber tomb, walking through the passage grave, and discussing 5,500-year-old burial practices; bring a torch as the interior is dark.

1:30pm Walk to and around Silbury Hill - 20-minute guided walk to the artificial mound (130 feet high), discussion of its purpose (still debated by archaeologists), and 360-degree views of surrounding landscape from its base.

2:15pm Lunch break - 1 hour at a local pub or with packed lunch; can remain at Silbury Hill picnic area if weather is clear.

3:30pm Return coach journey to Bradford - Depart for approximately 1-hour journey back.

4:30pm Arrival at Barton Farm Country Park - End of tour.

The whole experience takes 6 hours. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Barton Farm Country Park.

• Avebury Stone Circle: Europe's largest prehistoric stone monument with 93 standing sarsen stones in a circle 1,000 feet in diameter
• Walk among the stones, unlike Stonehenge where access is restricted to a roped perimeter
• West Kennet Long Barrow: 340-foot Neolithic passage grave (burial chamber) with internal stone passages, explored on foot
• Silbury Hill: 130-foot artificial mound built 5,500 years ago, purpose still debated by archaeologists
• Landscape views from Silbury Hill across Wiltshire chalk downs

What is included: Coach transportation from Barton Farm Country Park, Guided walk around Avebury Stone Circle, Guided access and tour inside West Kennet Long Barrow, Guided walk to and around Silbury Hill, 30 minutes free time in Avebury village.

Not included: Lunch, Avebury museum entrance (small museum in the manor, separate ticket), Torch or flashlight (recommended to bring your own for the barrow interior), Pub or cafe refreshments. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Waterproof jacket and trousers, Sturdy walking boots or hiking shoes, Torch or headlamp for the dark barrow interior, Packed lunch or money for pub meals, Water bottle, Sun hat and sunscreen in summer, Walking poles optional but helpful for steep bank at Avebury. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: June for longest daylight and summer solstice celebrations at Avebury; September-October for clear skies and cooler walking temperatures; avoid November-February when ground becomes muddy and waterlogged.

Tip: Free access to stone circle

Tip: Bring waterproof clothing

Accessibility: Avebury bank has steep sides (30 feet high) with uneven steps; not accessible for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. West Kennet interior has low ceiling passages (5 feet in places) and involves crouching or crawling in some sections. Not suitable for people with claustrophobia. Moderate fitness required for walking 1.5 hours on uneven terrain..

Operator: Ancient Stones Tours

This activity is run by Ancient Stones Tours.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 72 hours before; £6 fee between 48-72 hours; non-refundable within 48 hours.

Accessibility: Avebury bank has steep sides (30 feet high) with uneven steps; not accessible for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. West Kennet interior has low ceiling passages (5 feet in places) and involves crouching or crawling in some sections. Not suitable for people with claustrophobia. Moderate fitness required for walking 1.5 hours on uneven terrain..

Best time to go: June for longest daylight and summer solstice celebrations at Avebury; September-October for clear skies and cooler walking temperatures; avoid November-February when ground becomes muddy and waterlogged.

What's the difference between Avebury and Stonehenge?

Avebury is much larger (1,000-foot diameter vs. Stonehenge's 300 feet) and allows you to walk among the 93 standing stones. Stonehenge is cordoned off - you view from a roped perimeter. Avebury's stones are smaller and less sophisticated in construction. Stonehenge draws far more visitors (1.5 million annually vs. Avebury's 250,000).

Is it safe to go inside West Kennet Long Barrow, and how dark is it?

Yes, it's structurally safe - the stone passages have supported a 5,500-year-old mound. However, the interior is completely dark without a torch, and some passages require crouching or crawling. Bring a torch or headlamp. The experience is claustrophobic for some people; visitors uncomfortable in confined spaces may prefer to skip this section.

Why was Silbury Hill built, and can you climb to the top?

Silbury Hill's purpose remains unknown - theories range from prehistoric monument to territorial marker to burial mound for a chief. The top was excavated in the 1960s but no burials were found. You cannot climb to the summit for safety reasons (loose earth), but the base walk provides 360-degree views of surrounding downland.