Avebury Ridgeway walk
Starting at the heart of the World Heritage Site, this walk takes you through the remains of the largest stone circle in the world and along the West Kennet Avenue into beautiful rolling chalk downland. You'll catch glimpses of the prehistoric Silbury Hill, pass Bronze Age burial mounds and walk along ancient roads with far-reaching views across the landscape.
Avebury Stone Circle and Henge
The bank and ditch of the Neolithic Avebury Henge are almost a mile in circumference, and the ditch was originally 9 metres deep. The outer stone circle is the largest prehistoric circle of standing stones in the world and has the remains of two other smaller stone circles within it.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
National Trust car park, Avebury. Grid reference: SU 09960 69654
Step 1
From the National Trust car park follow the signs to the henge and stone circle. Turn right into the High Street, enter the stone circle via the first gate on your right and follow the curve of the huge sarsen stones and the ditch. Cross the road and head right along the fence line past the bank and trees.
Step 2
Go through the gate and cross the road into the West Kennet Avenue. This part of the Avenue was excavated by Alexander Keiller in the 1930s. He re-erected the stones, putting markers where he found holes that once held stones that had been broken up and taken away for building.
Step 3
At the end of the re-erected part of the Avenue, cross the road and follow the footpath straight ahead. Look out for the sole remaining stone of Falkners Circle in the hedgerow on your left. Continue on this footpath until you reach a crossroads.
Step 4
Turn right and walk uphill along the track. As you gain height, looking across the valley, you'll be able to see the top of Silbury Hill. Stay on this track until it meets the well-defined track of the Ridgeway.
Step 5
Turn right for a short detour to explore Overton Hill barrow cemetery (Seven Barrows). See if you can spot the grassy remains of a Roman road running across the field. Retrace your footsteps along the Ridgeway.
Step 6
Continue along the Ridgeway until you meet the junction with Green Street. Turn left along here, heading downhill.
Step 7
Passing through the banks of the henge, go through the gate on your right into the north-east sector of the henge. Cross the road at the gateway behind the giant Cove stones to explore the north-west part of the henge.
Step 8
The steps down from the henge bring you into the Old Farmyard. Turn left for the footpath back to the car park, or turn right to explore the Museum, café, shop and Avebury Manor. The displays in the Alexander Keiller Museum will explain more about the archaeology you have just visited.
End point
The Old Farmyard, Avebury. Grid reference: SU100700
Trail map
More near here
Around Silbury Hill
This walk circles the base of Silbury Hill, affording a real sense of scale of this important prehistoric structure, part of the World Heritage Site of Avebury.
West Kennet Round trail
Follow the trail to West Kennet Long Barrow, one of the best-preserved long barrows in the country, on a circular trail rich in archaeological sites at Avebury.
Discover Windmill Hill trail
Follow a trail to the northwest of Avebury World Heritage Site, exploring Neolithic earthworks at Windmill Hill with wildlife and views to enjoy on the route.
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Exploring the stone circles at Avebury
Visiting Avebury and the surrounding landscape is a unique experience. The area contains multiple Neolithic and Bronze Age features including the largest stone circle in the world which you can enter and explore.
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Discover artefacts from archaeological excavations in the museum. Step inside the large threshing barn and see the 16th-century dovecote near the wildlife pond.
Eating and Shopping at Avebury
The Circles Restaurant serves lunches, cakes, snacks and drinks. Visit the National Trust shop for sustainable products and gifts, or browse Cobblestones second-hand bookshop.
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Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.