This walk is a bit of a Neolithic pilgrimage, taking in many of the ancient sites of Avebury along it's way, the total walk is about 8 miles and with stoppages to take in the views and points of interest takes about 3 to 4 hours, so take a packed lunch!.
Dogs are supposed to be on lead for this section. Park up at the lay-by on the A4, at the foot of Silbury Hill about ½ mile east of Avebury village. Follow the signs to West Kennet Long Barrow, this is a Chambered burial chamber, which you can go inside and explore, dated to about 3500 BC, your dogs will love sniffing about in here!, but have respect for others that may be using it for more 'spiritual' activities! The site is enclosed with a good fence, so dogs can run free, although official they are supposed to be on lead, but there was nobody else there when we visited so play it by ear!
You'll need to backtrack a little to the bottom of the field you just walked up. Take a right hand turn and follow the River Kennet through two fields, keeping to the left hand hedge, pass a redundant style and follow onto the corner of the field where you'll find another style which leads into an overgrown narrow path for about 50 yards, at the end turn left on the track, and walk down the slight hill to the Road, turn left again walk for about 50yards and take the Bridleway on the right, follow this field, with the Kennet to you right until you reach the far corner, here take a left turn (ignore the signs that go right), follow the right hand edge of the field until you reach the top of the hill, you will see to the right a series of Iron age Barrows. You will now find you self on the southern side of the A4, on your left will be the ancient site of The Sanctuary, another great spot to take in the view, and let the dogs have a sniff! This site also has a good fence around it.
Cross the A4 and you'll now be on the ancient pathway know as the Ridge Way. More burial mounds to the right, and some further to the left. Walk North along the Ridge way for a good 1 - 2 miles (we let our dogs off lead up this stretch as there is no live stock to be seen), until you reach a new sign on the right which explains that the farmer has basically granted access to the fields for walkers to explore the many fascinating Sarcen stone's of The Mother's Jam. Turn right here and walk to the bottom of the valley. This is a natural rock feature, hundreds of giant boulders are strewn across the Valley, this is the main source of stone for the many stone circles in the area, look out for the Alter Stone and the Polishers Stone, there are some sheep about, so if your dogs are like ours, keep them on lead. Amble your way to the top of the Valley, weaving between the eerie Sarcens. This is a good place to stop and have lunch.
When suitably replenished, locate the gate at the top of the Mother's Jam and head West (right) you'll now be on the West Ridge way, continue along here, crossing the Ridge Way, for about 2 miles, passing Manor Farm on the left, there is a good field at the bottom, which is well fenced if your dogs want a good run, ours being sight hounds loved it!
You will now come in to Avebury itself, with its magnificent, humungous, stone circle and many ritual stones, there's a pub too! Have an explore. When you've had enough of the lazy tourist who will have walked all of 200yds, Make your way towards the main Avebury car park and walk out of the main entrance towards the main road, make a staggered crossing of the road (right then left) on to the footpath. You will now again be following the River Kennet and infront of you the Majestic Silbury hill.
Follow the path all the way to end passing the north side of Silbury. At the end you will again meet the A4 and directly opposite you will be you car, hopefully!
If your still up for more walking, stop of at Knapp hill / Adams Grave on the way home, clearly marked on most maps and about 10 minute drive South from Avebury, even better views and great on blustery day.
Submitted by
Subgiant
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Road Map
Local Map
OS Map
A mammoth but rewarding Neolithic pilgrimage.
8- 9 miles / 3 - 4 hours, small shop, pub, toilets in Avebury, several stiles, moderately hilly. Livestock: sheep on one part of the walk, dogs can be off lead for some of the walk and on lead for other parts. Parking at Lay-by on the A4.
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