Autumn at Avebury 2021

Family walking through beech trees in autumn — Autumn all around

Our thoughts turn to harvest, falling leaves of red and gold, pumpkin soup and hot chocolate. Throughout September and October we have plenty of extra activities to keep you occupied.

We have a wide range of events, activities and things to see and do this autumn. Scroll down to find out more. For details of times, location and prices, go to our What’s On page here.

Calendar of events (scroll down for more details)

Sculpture exhibition (10 September – 10 October)
Equinox storytelling (22 September)
Harvest displays (25 September – 31 October)
Trust10 trail run (26 September)
Stones discovery family trail (2 October – 31 October)
Apple celebrations (16 and 17 October)
Story telling (23 October)
Trust10 trail run (24 October)
Half term fun (25 – 29 October)
Dark skies festival: Lantern making and night walk (30 October)

Sculpture exhibition

Avebury Manor Garden, Friday 10 September until Sunday 10 October. Free with entry to the manor and/or garden. Garden only ticket available.

Once again Avebury Manor Garden becomes an art gallery, with a variety of different artists displaying their work in the many different garden rooms.

The exhibition includes striking statement pieces, subtle garden enhancements and modern abstract pieces - there is something for everyone's taste.

The exhibition runs for a month and is free to anyone visiting the manor and/or garden, there is no need to book.

Most of these sculptures are available to purchase - if you'd like to enquire you can email avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

A leaf shaped silver sculpture with seeds showing in the centre — Sculpture exhibition in Avebury Manor Garden, Silver Seeds by Ian Marlow

Equinox storytelling

22 September, suitable for pre-schoolers

Join us in the Old Farmyard for storytelling sessions led by one of our volunteers.
These are simple stories based on nature and the moon for toddlers between 2 and 5 years old. Free of charge. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Harvest displays

From 25 September until 31 October we'll be getting into the autumn spirit with a harvest display in the Dovecote.

This year we'll be engaging with local children to design and build a harvest carpet. Why not pop your head into the Dovecote and see their fantastic creation? Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

A close up of a variety of squashes, pumpkins and harvest fruit. — Harvest display

Autumn inspired recipes

If you’re feeling inspired by the harvest display, why not try one of these seasonal recipes?

Butternut squash soup (PDF / 0.8MB) download

Bramley apple crumble (PDF / 0.9MB) download

Stones discovery family trail

From 2 October until 31 October there will be a self-led trail available for families to enjoy as they visit the stone circle.

This will bring to life the history of Avebury and the fascinating discoveries in the henge and stone circle. Transport yourself back in time as you follow the trail, then visit the museum afterwards for more information. Collect your trail from the visitor reception. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Stone circle in the mist — Avebury stone circle

Apple celebrations

16 and 17 October in Avebury Manor Garden. Free with entry to the manor and/or garden. Garden only ticket available.

Join us for a weekend of apple celebrations. There will be apple pressing sessions, information on the different varieties in the manor garden, apple tasting and for the children there will be apple carving. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Blue sky apple tree — Apples in Avebury Manor garden

One of this season’s most celebrated harvests has to be that of the apple. With over 2,700 apple cultivars in Britain, the apple harvest is an exciting time and you’ll find a huge variety of colours, sizes and tastes in any traditional apple orchard or along country roads and tracks. If you find you have a few apples left over, why not try this family activity to make an apple bird feeder?

Apple bird feeder sheet (PDF / 0.2MB) download

Story telling

23 October in the Old Farmyard (suitable for ages 3+)

Join us in the Old Farmyard for some seasonal storytelling with self-confessed 'Moon Chaser' Michael Loader. His captivating stories will centre around the life-cycle of our native plant-life and all that happens to the blossoming trees in the autumn. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

A group of children fascinated by a story — Storytelling

Half term fun

Between 25-29 October there will be extra activities for children.

As well as the 'Stones Discovery' family trail (see above) there will also be an opportunity to make some 'Clay forest folk' using materials found in the parkland and children will also be able to take part in a 'Mini-dig' where they can dig for artefacts in their own excavation. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Child playing with clay — Making clay forest folk

Dark skies festival: Lantern making and night walk

Saturday 30 October

The National Trust will be holding a special event for the Dark Skies Festival this year. Starting at the Barn the children can enjoy a lantern making activity. As a group we will then head out to the henge where we will experience the stones and the Avebury skyscape by night on this special guided walk. We will finish in the Old Farmyard with hot chocolate and a warm spiced apple punch for the adults. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Two standing stones with the stars behind — Avebury night sky

Walking and running

If you’re inspired by the beautiful landscapes in Wiltshire, why not buy one of the walking challenge packs? The Avebury and Stonehenge Landscape pack includes eight walks from the World Heritage Site while the Wiltshire Landscape walking pack has ten walks based at the countryside sites we care for. Click below for more details.

The Wiltshire Landscape Walking Challenge

The Stonehenge and Avebury Walking Challenge

Each month we organise the Avebury Trust10, a 10km challenging trail run around the stunning Avebury landscape. Starting and finishing at the stone circle on the fourth Sunday of each month (April to October). No need to book, registration is at 8.30am and the run starts at 9am. Find out more details on the 'What's On' page here

Evening sun over the downs — Calstone and Cherhill Downs

More of this will do us good.

We all know that trees give us wonderful experiences, shape our favourite places, and are a vital part of our actions against the impacts of climate change. It's our ambition to plant 2 million trees by 2030 and you can help us achieve this by planting a tree for yourself, as a gift to someone special or in memory of a loved one. Click the link below to find out how.

For the good of everyone, let’s plant more trees.