Winterbourne Stoke Barrows walk at Stonehenge
The group of burial mounds at the heart of this short walk includes every different type of Bronze Age barrow. It’s also a great spot to enjoy panoramic views of the Wiltshire countryside and the flowers and butterflies that thrive on the chalk grassland. From there, you’ll head through woodland that’s home to more ancient barrows before Stonehenge itself comes into view.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Stonehenge, grid ref SU121423
Step 1
Standing at the byway crossroads with Stonehenge behind you, turn left onto the byway and look for a kissing gate on your right.
Step 2
Enter the field through the gate and head diagonally left towards two grassy mounds. A giant prehistoric wooden palisade once stood here, dividing the landscape.
Step 3
Here, you can go through the gate and explore the two burial mounds. There are hundreds of barrows like this across the Stonehenge landscape, where some of the first people to use metal are buried. Leave by the larger gate opposite. Continue slightly diagonally to your left, aiming for the road where you’ll find a gate into the next field.
Step 4
Go through gate, No. 25, and head diagonally to your right, aiming for the right-hand side of the row of barrows you can just see ahead of you.
Step 5
Go through the gate into the Winterbourne Stoke barrow cemetery. Read the information panel next to the gate then feel free to explore. This is an important group of burial mounds containing every different type of Bronze Age barrow. It’s also a great place for flowers such as knapweed and field scabious as well as beautiful butterflies, which all thrive on the chalk grassland here. After exploring the barrows, retrace your steps to the information panel.
Step 6
Go through gate No. 23 and turn left to follow the fence line. Go through gate No. 21 and continue straight on along the fence line. Stonehenge visitor centre should be visible on your left and Stonehenge itself should come into view on the right.
Step 7
When you come to the end of the third field, go over the stile in front of you and bear slightly right onto a track. Continue straight ahead and go through a small wooden gate, No 20. Cross directly over the road, watching out for Stonehenge shuttle buses. Climb over the stile in front of you. You are now entering the Fargo Woodland, which contains several Bronze Age barrows. It has areas of hazel coppice and glades that attract butterflies in the summer months.
Step 8
Continue straight on along the path until you reach the large barrow known as the Monarch of the Plain. This is one of the largest Bronze Age barrows in the Stonehenge landscape. Skirt around its right-hand side and leave by the path on the other side. Follow the woodchipped path ahead. At the T-junction, with a metal gate in front of you, turn right. Ignoring all the gates to your left, continue along the curving track, through another clearing with a large barrow in it, until you reach an information panel.
Step 9
After reading the information panel, go through the gate in front of you and bear left towards the large grassy mounds of the Cursus Barrows.
Step 10
Enter the barrows through a gate on their left-hand side. After reading the information panel, leave through the gate opposite the one you came through and head downhill towards Stonehenge and the starting point of your walk. If you have a ticket from the visitor centre, you can now head to the stone circle.
End point
Stonehenge, grid ref SU121423
Trail map
More near here
Stonehenge King's view circular walk
Explore the chalk downlands at the heart of the Stonehenge landscape, taking in Bronze Age burial mounds, ceremonial pathways, beautiful views and an array of wildlife.
Durrington Walls to Stonehenge walk
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Secrets of the Stonehenge landscape walk
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