About Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Avebury is so large that a village grew up inside it. A massive ditch and bank encloses an outer ring of about one hundred standing stones, with two smaller circles inside. Avenues of paired stones once led to other monuments, including the Sanctuary on Overton Hill. Nearby stand Silbury Hill, the largest artificial mound in prehistoric Europe, and West Kennet Long Barrow, a chambered tomb older than the circle.
Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury's stones can be touched and walked among freely. Medieval villagers buried or broke many of them, and the archaeologist Alexander Keiller re-erected stones in the 1930s. Druid orders and other pagans hold open ceremonies here at the solstices and the Celtic fire festivals.
What to see
- Outer circle and great henge ditch
- West Kennet Avenue
- Silbury Hill
- West Kennet Long Barrow
- Alexander Keiller Museum
Visiting Avebury Henge and Stone Circles: practical guide
- Best time
- May to September
- Hours
- Stones accessible at all times; museum roughly 10:00 to 17:00
- Entry
- Stones free; museum about 8 GBP
- Dress code
- Walking shoes; fields can be muddy
- Nearest airport
- Bristol Airport (BRS), 70 km
Tips from experienced pilgrims
- Do not climb Silbury Hill, which is protected
- Bring a torch for West Kennet Long Barrow
- Respect grazing sheep and closed gates
Festivals and special days
- Summer solstice
- Beltane (1 May)
- Samhain (31 October)
Etiquette for visitors
Guidance drawn from Prehistoric Religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.
- Book timed tickets for popular sites like Stonehenge and Newgrange.
- Do not touch cave walls; original painted caves are mostly closed to protect them.
- Visit replica caves such as Lascaux IV and Chauvet 2 for close views.
- Never climb or chip megaliths.
- Respect modern pagan gatherings at solstices and follow site rules.
- Stay on paths around burial mounds and fragile earthworks.
Location map
Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Avebury Henge and Stone Circles?
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles is in Avebury, England, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, Europe. GPS coordinates: 51.4286, -1.8544. The nearest airport is Bristol Airport (BRS), 70 km.
What is the best time to visit Avebury Henge and Stone Circles?
May to September
Is there an entry fee for Avebury Henge and Stone Circles?
Stones free; museum about 8 GBP Opening hours: Stones accessible at all times; museum roughly 10:00 to 17:00
What should I wear when visiting Avebury Henge and Stone Circles?
Walking shoes; fields can be muddy
Which religion is Avebury Henge and Stone Circles sacred to?
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles is sacred to Prehistoric Religion, Druidry. Archaeological ruins. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
