Around Silbury Hill
Ranger's highlight "Walking around the base of Silbury Hill from the north, away from the road, gives a real sense of its scale; and one can't help but marvel at the vision and determination it took to create such a phenomenal structure."
Along the way
Keep an eye out for water vole - there have been several sightings and 'field signs' (burrows, footprints) of these elusive creatures on the banks of the River Kennet. You'll also walk through the world's largest prehistoric stone circle at Avebury, where you can see the outer circle (which originally contained over 100 stones) plus the remains of two further inner circles within.
Map
Start:
Avebury National Trust car park
1
From the National Trust car park at Avebury, exit through the main entrance and walk to the right, along the A4361 for a few metres until you see an entrance on the opposite side of the road. Carefully cross the road and take the track ahead of you.
2
Follow this path keeping the stream known as the Winterbourne on your right, you will see Silbury Hill ahead of you
3
After approximately 700 yards take a right hand turn over a small bridge crossing the stream. Follow the path which will take you around the northern side of Silbury Hill
4
At the end of the path you will reach Silbury Hill car park. If you turn left towards the Hill you can read the information panel
5
When you are ready, retrace your steps back to the Silbury Hill car park and then walk up to the pavement which runs alongside the A4
6
Turn left and follow the pavement past the Hill until you reach a pedestrian gate on your left. Go through this gate and walk along the fence-line keeping the A4 on your right
7
Cross a small boardwalk over the stream and approximately 100 yards further on turn left keeping a line of trees on your left
8
Just before the next field boundary turn right and walk up the hill keeping the fence on your left. Turn around for a moment to see one of the finest views in the World Heritage Site of Silbury Hill.
9
As you crest Waden Hill the lines of the stones you can see below you to your left are the remains of the part of the West Kennet Avenue excavated and re-erected by Alexander Keiller in the 1930s. Walk down the hill and go through the gate on your left and follow the Avenue back towards Avebury.
10
After 800 yards you will reach the end of the Avenue. Go through the gate on your right, cross the road and go through the gate on the other side.
11
Turn left, through the trees and continue straight ahead, past the stones on your right, to a gate on the opposite side of the field. Go through and very carefully cross the road.
12
Walk to the right, going around the Red Lion pub and join a paved footpath on your left which runs parallel to the road. At the end of the footpath, follow the line of stones around to your left. When you reach another gate go through it, down the steps and turn right.
13
You have reached the Old Farmyard where you will find refreshments, a shop, the Museum and Avebury Manor. When you are ready to leave, follow the signposts to the car park to complete your walk.
End:
Avebury National Trust car park