Every time we travel down to visit my mum in Wiltshire we try and stop off around Avebury. It’s a beautiful part of Wiltshire with so much history to explore. We usually stop off for a picnic around Silbury Hill. It’s almost exactly half way in our journey and an amazing landmark for the children to look out for. You can see it for miles around and the children know it’s time to stop for lunch and we’re well into our journey.
On our last visit we had our niece with us too. We parked up at The Seven Barrows on The Ridgeway. This is a great picnic spot with an amazing view over the countryside. You can go into the field with the barrows and even climb them – just watch out for the cows and the cow pats!
The Sanctuary, Avebury
Across the A4 is another ancient site known as The Sanctuary. Begun in about 3000 BC, the Sanctuary was originally a complex circular arrangement of timber posts, which were later replaced by stones. These components are now indicated by concrete slabs.
It’s quite a large site and perfect to explore with children. The kids loved running around the circle and trying to balance on the stones.
It was the perfect way to run off some pent up energy before getting back in the car and carrying on with our journey. Everyone had to stop for the kissing gate.
There are loads of historic properties managed by English Heritage or the National Trust to explore near here. Some of our favourites are Bratton Camp and White Horse, West Kennet Long Barrow, Woodhenge, Bradford on Avon Tithe Barn, Silbury Hill, The Sanctuary Avebury, and Avebury.
I haven’t been to Avebury for years, but do remember it being really pretty.
Jane x
The landscape is so beautiful, so much to explore.
What a great place to explore, it looks so nice!