days out parenting Wiltshire

Exploring Avebury Stone Circle with children

Avebury Stone Circle with kids

Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the pretty village of Avebury in Wiltshire. It also happens to be between my Mum’s house and ours so we often stop off on the way home. Exploring Avebury Stone Circle with children is a great day out as there is so much to see and do so I thought I would tell you about our latest trip.

Exploring Avebury Stone Circle with children

Avebury comprises of a large henge (a bank and a ditch) with a large outer stone circle and two separate smaller stone circles inside the centre of the monument. Much of the site is now owned by the National Trust although it is also a village. You pretty much have to pay to park in the large National Trust car park and walk to the historic site as there is no parking in the village.

Avebury henge

The village is very small and runs through the centre of the henge. You can’t miss any of it as, unlike Stonehenge, the stones at Avebury are really accessible and you can walk round them. I love this period of history and luckily my children agree. We all find Avebury a really magical place, especially on a lovely sunny day.

Avebury standing stones

The National Trust have built a museum as well as cafe, toilets, shop and more which means you can find out more about the historic site. They run lots of events at Avebury and on our last visit had children’s games out in a huge grassy area to keep them busy.

The village has some beautiful houses and it must be strange living in such a historic landscape. We noticed this rune had been chalked on the side of one of the houses, a sign that some people still come to worship at this historic site.

rune chalked on a wall at Avebury

More standing stones can be found on the road from Avebury, past West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill, towards Marlborough. It’s part of a really impressive historic landscape which is great for exploring.

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Cathy (Mummytravels)
    September 10, 2016 at 9:47 am

    This would be such a lovely day out – how unusual it must be to live here as well. #countrykids

  • Reply
    Cheryl | TimeToCraft
    September 10, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    One of my favourite places to visit. Near to where my parents still live. Makes such a lovely walk, whatever the weather, including the snow. Always think the best way to approach it is through the Avenue. #CountryKids

  • Reply
    Coombe Mill
    September 10, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    What a fabulous place to live so close to, I bet the kids love stopping off there to explore the henge! It’s a wonderful way for them to learn about local history if they get to stopa each time you walk through, I’m sure you learn something new each time you visit. There’s so much open space to I’m sure the kids love burning off some energy exploring the henge too.

    Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids

  • Reply
    Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One
    September 10, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    It’s a brilliant place to explore isn’t it. We’ve been a few times now. The Manor is well worth a visit if you’ve not been before, a really hands on NT property where the kids can get in some of the beds etc #CountryKids

  • Reply
    Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
    September 13, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    An awesome place to live if you ask me! Imagine being able to view these beautiful and meaningful stones as much as you want. Thanks for sharing. Such a lovely site to see =) #countrykids

  • Reply
    Karen | TwoTinyHands
    September 13, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    How lucky getting to live so near to the henges. I’ve always wanted to visit your part of the world ever since my dad showed me the photos when he visited. Beautiful place and beautiful photos #countrykids

    • Reply
      jenny
      September 14, 2016 at 10:23 am

      I wish I lived near there. Sadly we only pass it on the way to visit my mum but it’s a really beautiful part of the country.

  • Reply
    Me, You and Magoo
    September 14, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    We visited Avebury before our daughter was born…we used to walk all over Wiltshire using our “50 walks in Wiltshire” book! We really must take her to some of the places we loved visiting, especially Avebury, which is very magical. Silbury Hill and Kennet Long Barrow are both amazing too. The whole of Wiltshire is packed full of interesting historical places #countrykids

  • Reply
    Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
    September 14, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    That looks like a beautiful place to visit and I can imagine that it is full of magic there. Looks like you had gorgeous weather for your day out. #countrykids

  • Reply
    tracey at Mummyshire
    September 15, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    We live relatively close to this Henge but have never been – you’ve inspired me to go and take a look. I too, think this part of our history is magical – and the fact that people still come to worship must mean they think so, too – and I always wonder how they were made and who made them. It does look like a lovely place to spend an afternoon
    #CountryKids

  • Reply
    Catherine Green
    September 19, 2016 at 11:58 am

    This is a place that I have not yet managed to visit, but I certainly will at some point! Thanks for sharing your experience, and for the rune picture as well, fascinating! 🙂

  • Reply
    West Kennet Long Barrow with children - the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
    June 17, 2017 at 8:31 pm

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