Stonehenge Travel Forum

Hello, I'm contemplating a stop at EITHER the Stonehenge or Avebury stone circles. I know you can't actually walk around Stonehenge, but the vast majority of people go there instead of Avebury...is it that much more impressive? I'd appreciate any opinions on the pro's and con's of each place. Thanks!

The vast majority of tours/overseas visitors go to Stonehenge, yes, because it is better-known globally and conveniently placed for carrying on to Bath/wherever. Avebury is vastly more interesting and atmospheric (and equally impressive, imo); there's a village within the circle, so there are museums and a pub as well. If you have to choose, choose Avebury (Silbury Hill and West Kennet long barrow are a couple of miles away and are absolute must-sees).

But you will have a car, Stonehenge is very near, you don't have to go in to see it (it is visible from miles away and surrounded by a mesh fence). Stop, look, wander, take a photo or two through the fence (you can do that in less than an hour, or just see it as you go by if you plan your route properly). I'd do both places.

My Avebury/Wiltshire pages may help you decide.

If you do visit Avebury, make sure you wear appropriate boots. The walk to the West Kennet long barrow is up a hill, across fields and it was very muddy last time I was there. It's chalky soil - so it sticks like concrete :) Anyway, I agree Avebury is an excellent choice, if you have to pick one or the other.

Also have a look at KennetRose's great page:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4286b/4d8d2/

another vote for avebury...

AND another vote for west kennet long barrow

you can park at the pub in the middle of the ring/village rather than use the "tourist" car park

http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&pid=3880&orderby=

its pretty much in the middle of this picture

AND then go to anundshog, nr vasteras to compare it
(sweden... fly from stansted for £5 plus tax)

Now you're talking! Anundshög is impressive. And the Old Uppsala viking mounds.

Oh, and how could I forget..."Stonehenge by the Sea" - Ale stenar at Kåseberga. Amazing.

That was a great collection of info...definitely helpful. So if I, as I suspect, run short on time, I'll try to do a full stop at Avebury and a "drive-by" at Stonehenge. And I'll be buying good hiking boots before this trip for sure. :) Thanks, everyone!

I quite agree - Avebury, and also West Kennet long barrow and Silbury Hill, are the more interesting & atmospheric. Leave plenty of time - there is a lot to see.

Nb: for mmegalith lovers, have you seen pictures of the amazing site at Gobekli Tepe?
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1007

is it possible to visit both from Heathrow with a 8 hour stop over?

I'd say definitely no. Avebury is quite a drive from Heathrow. I'd say even Stonehenge by itself would be too risky on so short a layover.

But having seen both on that trip, I'd say both are great to see!

Tara

I've replid to your other post about a layover tour.