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Icons of England.
Ask people what they associate Salisbury Plain England with and you will predominately just get one answer. The legendary Stonehenge. It has been the main icon of the area and promoted as such in Britain’s tourism marketing. Stonehenge even takes up the whole cover of my England Lonely Planet book in which it is listed as #1 in England’s top 20 attractions, not to mention broader TV advertising and its image being plastered on the walls of so many travel agencies.
Stonehenge is special and understandably considered a ‘must-see’ for so many domestic and international tourists alike. However, there is another site close by that in my view, is equally fascinating and worthy of a visit. It is also a lot more accessible, and one that you can actually touch and explore more thoroughly.
Avebury Stone Circle is the second icon I want to share with you here. It may not be as popular as Stonehenge but there are many things I reveal below presents a compelling argument that Avebury is every bit as special as its more famous landmark, just 30 minutes away.
Both these Icons of England are famous prehistoric archaeological sites that are collectively on the UNESCO World Heritage List acknowledging the sites in this area of the British Isles amongst the most famous groups of megaliths in the world.
Known for its rich archaeology, Salisbury Plain itself is such a lovely flat, lush area of nature to enjoy even if just driving the Avebury Stonehenge route. As you would imagine the landscape is mostly flat but affords some wonderful views of the countryside.
My fiancé James and I were lucky enough to explore these Icons of England while driving with wonderful friends Di, Richard, and their daughter Grace. Their company and local knowledge of the area as residents of the UK made all the difference to this trip.
Salisbury Plain Map and locale
The Salisbury Plain UK is a chalk plateau in southern England not far from the South Downs National Park. This Plain covers an area of 780 square kilometers (300 square miles). It is part of a system of chalk downlands throughout eastern and southern England formed by the rocks of the Chalk Group.
Salisbury Plain itself is located 12 miles north of the town of Salisbury in the heart of Wiltshire country but does stretch a bit into the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, and a small part of Somerset.
What many visitors don’t realize is that land within the Salisbury Plain is owned by the UK’s Ministry of Defence and is a place where some of their exercises and firing practice take place. This is not to say you would be in any danger as places used for military exercises are well signposted to warn you away from wandering into potential danger.
If you are driving across Salisbury Plain, the signage is pretty good, making it easy to explore and find places like Avebury and Stonehenge, not to mention lots of natural scenery, charming villages, and friendly locals along the way. The entire area has a lovely, relaxed, and laid-back feel to it from a visitor’s point of view.
A hiking/trekking option: Great Stones Way
At a total length of 45-52 miles, the Great Stones Way is one of the newest walking trails in the UK. This route goes from Swindon south to Salisbury (or vice-versa). The walk travels along the Avon River and incorporates both Avebury Stone Circle and Stonehenge as well as other prehistoric stone circles and henges as well as 2 white horses in Wiltshire. These are all options you can choose to visit or not, making this trek one that you can really customize according to your interests, budget, and available time.
There are also professional guided tours that offer the Great Stones Way over a number of days, including one operated by Stonehenge Tours. The best times to experience this walk/hike/trek would be from March to October. As Salisbury Plain is pretty much flat countryside, this would be relatively easy, especially if you are an experienced hiker.
Visiting Stonehenge
Of the two icons of England in this region, I thought I would start with the most famous first. Owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, Stonehenge is well worth a visit.
Location
No longer in a freely accessible location, Stonehenge is situated on the Salisbury Plain some 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. When I say not ‘freely accessible’, I mean the area is completely sealed off to anyone who does not attend the official entrance and visitor center which charges you a fee for visiting the attraction. The tickets you purchase are also ‘timed’ so you need to show up on time if you book online.
The development of this site has been in response to the massive tourist numbers that have grown over the years. The building of the new visitor center was designed to accommodate a huge number of coaches that ferry people from London out to Salisbury Plain, not to mention separate car parking and those coming via public transport. There are multiple lines to get tickets to get in and you really need to think about the best time to avoid huge crowds.
Visitor Centre
This is quite an impressive place that includes many displays and visual presentations showing the known history and some speculation regarding the purpose and origins of Stonehenge. There really is so much in the way of fascinating information here that you can spend some time taking everything in. You come away with a very good impression of what life and the land looked like back when Stonehenge was being created.
Stonehenge’s stone blocks weigh some 40 tonnes and are thought to have been brought here from the Preseli Mountains, in South Wales, 250 miles away from Salisbury Plain! It is truly amazing to think how stone-aged people managed to do this given the very basic tools that existed at that time. Although no one knows for sure, it is believed that this would have been accomplished by the use of ropes, sledges, and tree trucks which acted as rollers.
There is also a full re-creation of housing that existed in the area over some period of time which was interesting to check out. From here you proceed to other areas of the center which included a large gift/souvenir shop and the area set aside for embarking one of the many buses taking people to and from the actual Stonehenge site.
The Actual Site
Visiting the actual attraction of Stonehenge involved taking a bus for a few minutes to the drop-off area where signage and pathways led you out to this amazing stone monolith. Face to face with this wonder, you start to realize what all the fuss is about.
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It is a fact that Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world (the build of this began an estimated 3000 years ago).
To Quote UNESCO:
“Stonehenge is one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world on account of the sheer size of its megaliths, the sophistication of its concentric plan and architectural design, the shaping of the stones – uniquely using both Wiltshire Sarsen sandstone and Pembroke Bluestone – and the precision with which it was built.”
Unlike Avebury Stonehenge (the core circle) was roped off to prevent visitors from touching the stones that have stood here for multi-millennia. You could see this was disappointing to some visitors but most didn’t mind and instead focused on getting the best photos of the most famous icons of England.
We were fortunate on the day we visited; it was not overly crowded. We were able to easily walk around the site unimpeded and admire what it must have taken to construct. Visiting Stonehenge was a nice inclusion in our exploration of the Salisbury Plain. While I generally dislike being around crowded attractions, the fact that it wasn’t that crowded to begin with and we were outdoors, made it a more pleasant experience than it otherwise might have been.
Also, if you are looking to stay close by to Stonehenge, then do consider some of the fun accommodation options at the Stonehenge Inn.
Visiting Avebury Stone Circle or Avebury Henge
Avebury Henge and stone circles are managed by The National Trust on behalf of English Heritage, and the two organizations share the cost of managing and maintaining the property.
Location
Just some 30 km (18.5 mi) north of Stonehenge, the Avebury Stone Circle is situated around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire County. It is easy to find by car and the Avebury cark park has lots of spaces, although there are fees for this. The site itself is extremely accessible and is free for visitors to explore and touch the stones at Avebury.
The village of Avebury UK
Avebury village has developed partly within the Avebury stones. Avebury Henge or Avebury Stone Circle crosses roads and various fields with grazing sheep. Looking one way, parts (the outskirts) of Avebury village and houses can be seen whereas beyond the Avebury stones are natural scenery of the beautiful English countryside.
A short distance from the main Avebury car park is the Avebury pub which is not just the only pub in the village but also lies within the Avebury Stone Circle itself. The name of the Avebury pub is the Avebury Red Lion and is on the intersection as you arrive in the village from the south. The Red Lion Avebury is also regarded as one of the most haunted pubs in the UK! The inside of the pub looked very much like most traditional pubs in England and its menu, service, and hospitality were on a par with many others in this part of Britain.
The stones at Avebury
Avebury Stone Circle (or Avebury Henge as some say) is actually much larger and older (dating back to 2500BC to 2200BC) than Stonehenge.
With a diameter of 348m, the stones of Avebury actually make up the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world! The original outer circle comprised 98 stones with some being 6m in length and many weighing 20 tonnes. Also, Silbury Hill nearby is the largest prehistoric mound in Europe, demonstrating the outstanding engineering skills which were used to create masterpieces of earthen and megalithic architecture.
When you are at Avebury, you are free to walk about as you wish and at your own pace. There are lots of informative signs around, telling you a great deal about this ancient site. You can walk right up to any of the Avebury stones and touch them, getting a feel for how solid and heavy these are.
Not only is the Avebury circle site much larger in land size than Stonehenge, Avebury Henge just has a much more relaxed and nicer atmosphere. Yes, you are right near a village but it still feels much better than a more organized commercial environment that is Stonehenge.
There also isn’t just one Avebury ring of stones but a number of them. It was really quite an experience to explore this site, read the information and imagine what the Avebury stones site looked like when first created. It is sad to think that (similar to Stonehenge) many stones of Avebury Wiltshire are no longer there. Fortunately, such sites today are being well looked after for future generations to appreciate.
Conclusion of my Salisbury Plain Icon visit
The stones of Avebury and Stonehenge rightfully deserve to be protected and available to visit. It is great to be able to learn about a significant part of human history during a time when stone-aged peoples survived in such a beautiful setting on Salisbury Plain. While Stonehenge is so widely known, I hope I have highlighted a similar significance in the stones at Avebury England, which so many by-pass without even knowing of its existence.
Were you aware of the size and significance of the stones at Avebury? Perhaps you have also visited and would like to share your thoughts on this or Stonehenge (or even other parts of Salisbury Plain) in the comments below. I would love to hear from you and as always, thank you for reading.
Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Passionate Travel Writer, Blogger and Influencer.
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
I’m always looking for interesting and new places to add to my travel bucket list. My UK list is large and now it’s growing more thanks to this.
I’m so pleased the information in this article has grabbed your interest, Haynes. There are certainly quite a few things that make a trip to the UK so worthwhile.
This article is perfect for us, as we are always looking for new and interesting places to visit in the UK. Avebury village I have never heard of and I would love to go to the Avebury Stone Circle x
Thanks, Melanie. While not as famous as Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle and its village are really worth having a look.
Visiting Stonehenge was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to the UK. There is something special there, that I can’t quite describe. But the atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever felt or experienced before that. It is a place I would love to return to and visit a second time.
I can definitely understand that, Erica, as many do visit multiple times for the atmosphere. Thanks so much for reading and sharing.
This is incredible! One of my husband’s must-see locations is Stonehenge, so I’m going to have to show him this. Anytime he sees a post or article about any aspect of it, he totally geeks out. We were able to watch a live feed of the lunar eclipse there at one point this year and that was really cool to see, but it would have been even more fun to see it all in person! We will someday, I’m sure!
Great that you are thinking of making plans to see it first hand, Britt. I’m sure you and your husband would have a wonderful time, given his enthusiasm.
Loved reading this lovely, long, detailed, and well-researched post. I have been to the UK a couple of times, I have heard of Stonehenge but never about Avebury. I def want to do this the next time I come to the UK. Thanks Nicole this was well written and lovely pics.
My pleasure Gerald, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this and I hope you will check this out for yourself on your next trip to the UK.
Nice alternative with Avebury. If you travel for sights that are a bit off the road it feels best if can be combined with more, smaller or less known sights have a special charm in my eyes
I couldn’t agree more with that sentiment, Lyosha! Thanks so much for reading and your comment.
I really enjoyed reading about your trip to the Salisbury Plain and looking through your photos Nicole. Stonehenge is really interesting and somewhere that I’ve always wanted to visit.
Thanks, Kelly. It really is such a well-known icon that has people wanting to see it up close. So pleased you liked this and hope you will likewise visit when possible.
These both look like fascinating places to visit. The hiking option sounds fun. I like when you have different ways of exploring such iconic places in lovely areas.
Absolutely, Laura! I think it certainly beats viewing something that might be iconic but within the confines of a city museum! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I haven’t been to Stonehenge and Avebury Stone Circle on the Salisbury Plain yet, but I would love to. I visited some ancient stone construction in Scottish and Sweden, and it’s exciting how they were made, by whom and why. The trekking option on Great Stones Way seems pretty exciting; however, it’s a long hike, even if it’s easy. I like the idea of hiking and camping in that secret scenery.
Totally agree, Agnes! There is something of a mystical atmosphere there that makes it all the more enjoyable.
I have never heard of either place but it looks beautiful. England would be a dream to visit. I love the structures!!!! Thank you for giving so much information!
My pleasure, Krystal. So happy you found value in this post.
I just love the countryside of UK and Salisbury Plain makes me want to go. We have been to UK twice but only visited the countryside around London. Next time we wish to explore more far away from London. We love visiting historical landmarks and structures and the two icons, the stones of Avebury and Stonehenge would certainly feature in our next trip whenever that happens.
I’m so pleased this article may inspire you toward a future visit to explore more of the beautiful areas of the UK, well away from London, Subhashish. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Wow you brought back my memories from my visit to Stonehenge and Avebury Stone Circle. They were both such spectacular sites and it was so fascinating to learn about them and see those structures. Unfortunately, when I visited them it was pouring continuously and I am glad you had such amazing weather.
Unfortunately, poor weather is often what the UK is renowned for, Raksha. Indeed we were lucky on that score, but I still would have gone if it had been raining (as you did) not to miss seeing these sites. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post.
England has so many great walking trails, this is a wonderful addition. I have visited Stonehenge several times but did not stop at Avebury Henge. It would be fun to get up close and touch the stones. I love the idea of stopping at Stonehenge first, then Avebury Henge, followed by lunch at the pub.
Now that is a plan for sure, Sherianne! A great idea for a day’s itinerary indeed!
I have always wanted to visit Stonehedge. I would have so much fun there.
Well, it is a fulfilling experience for most, Michele, and I’m sure you would enjoy it as well.
It looks like you had such a good time here and reading your experience make me want to do a smiliar trip. Never been there so it’s all pretty new for me. Thanks for sharing. – Paolo
My pleasure, Paolo. I’m so pleased you liked this and would like to make a similar trip.
No matter how much I love fresh and new places, there is something special about ancient landmarks indeed. Mixing this with the natural beauty of the plain makes it the best.
I couldn’t agree more, Lyosha. A great way of describing these icons.
Wow. I should have seen Avebury. You! Not that far away and bigger!
Maybe another time and opportunity, Carol? Let’s hope so.
Definitely! My daughter has left the UK for Australia but I do want to visit Avebury: older, larger, and you can touch them. Stonehenge was just for looking and photos. The village will also offer more experiences. To think it was only 18 km north of Stonehenge!
Not far away at all, really. Hope you will get the opportunity to visit soon.
Those structures are amazing! I wish to visit there someday.
Thank you, Risa. I hope you will get there as well.
The Legendary Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. After reading your article it makes wanna visit even more!. It’s so unique.
It sure is, Sage. A UK icon that is celebrated and looked after. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
This is in my to travel bucket list, so I have saved your post link for my travel planning reference
That’s great, Sienny. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
What an amazing trip. I’d love to go see the stones sometime myself. I’d love to visit the haunted pub too.
The pub is quite typical of a traditional English pub, Melanie, and the only one in Avebury. The stones at both locations are certainly worth seeing.
You have a warm, pretty smile, Nicole. You look carefree and I can tell that you truly enjoyed your trip to Salisbury Plain. Also, Stonehenge is on my bucket list – I’m hoping to finally visit it someday. Thank you very much for the tip on Averbury!
That is such a lovely comment, Polly, thank you. I am so pleased this has helped you discover Avebury, just 30 mins away when you visit Stonehenge.
I am not lying when I say that these sounds like places I dream of visiting, I believe that not only on an artistic and beauty level, but also in terms of energy, they are incredible!
Many others have also thought the stones contain some form of energy, Cristina. These may be perfect sites for you to see first hand. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
I’ve been to Stonehenge but never to the Avebury stone circle, so I really need to tick that off, as it’s a site I’ve been intending to visit for decades. Looks like the Stonehenge Visitor Centre is also worthwhile, so I’ll definitely stop in to learn more next time we’re in that area!
Sounds great, Kavita. I’m so pleased this post has spurred you on to visit (and in the case of Stonehenge, revisit). Have a great time!
Looks like you had a great time!! thank you for sharing all the info and pics, it’s like I’ve been to both places also!
That’s a lovely thing to say, Grasyah, thank you very much.
Wow this was really interesting! I feel like everyone knows what Stonehenge is but I can’t say that I knew too much about it or Avebury at all! Thanks for sharing! Hope to make it there someday.
Thanks very much, Kristin, I hope you do as well.
I have very very fond memories of Salisbury and Stone Henge. Stonehenge was the first major outing we went after moving to England and after seeing its tickets, we decided to buy the English Heritage annual pass. It was on that trip I realized how the train ticketing system in England works (that they have dynamic pricing!). The visitors centre was really informative and child friendly esp. that life-sized stone replica. Unfortunately I missed Avebury but went to Old Sarum.
Old Sarum looks to be yet another gem in this region, Bhushavali, as readers may like to check out here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/ – buying the annual pass if you are living in the UK certainly makes a lot of sense. Hopefully, there will also be an opportunity for you to visit Avebury in the future. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I have always loved to go to Stonehenge. It’s such a wonder to me. Now I know about another wonder to visit nearby as well.
So pleased you have now discovered the existence of Avebury, Danielle. I am confident you will find this just as worthwhile as experiencing Stonehenge.
Such gorgeous countryside for hiking! I’d love to take this adventure one day, thank you for the travel tips and info on the 2 main attractions.
You’re so welcome Alexis. So pleased you found the information shared worthwhile.
Ok, I totally admit that I was one of those who would have done only Stonehenge. I frankly did not know of Avebury. But am glad that now I do. These are epic and to know they even predate Stonehenge makes them definitely more interesting. Good to know that you can actually get close to them unlike Stonehenge (which has been my biggest peeve). Loved reading about the new site – rather ancient site.
Thank you so much, Ami. I am so pleased you are now alerted to Avebury as being worth a visit if/when you decide to visit this region.
Oh, you’re so lucky to witness that iconic landmark in person. It is one of my dreams to see Stonehenge and I think it is on everybody’s travel bucket list. also… it’s nice to see that some of the rock formations at Avebury can be touched..thank you for sharing
Thanks for reading and commenting, Milton. I hope your dream of visiting will be realized in the future.
True, when I hear about Salisbury Plain, what conjures up are images of England’s past—the Stonehenge for that matter. It’s great to learn about the magnificence of the Avebury Henge, too. The vast expanse of green with those sheep make the sites so beautiful.
I couldn’t have said it better, Trish. It really gives you a great idea of how the area did look like well before the modern age came along! Thanks so much for reading and leaving your comment.
We never know what the future brings. We can only hope that people will continue to preserve them and take care of these sites. The future generations can still get to explore them.
So true – we all have a responsibility now for future generations to marvel as we do.
Oh how cool is that! I had never heard of the Avebury Circle before. But its going on my list for when I get over to that part of the world to visit!
So pleased to hear that, Laura! I hope you have as enjoyable an experience as we did.
Now, this is something I will love to see on my next visit to England. I grew up in the UK and can’t believe there are so many iconic sites I haven’t seen. Definitely on my bucket list.
It always seems to be the case that people living so close to such great attractions often don’t actually get there, Sonia. Something to look forward to though when you come back to the UK for a holiday.
Such wonderful sightseeing, Stonehenge and Avebury are so beautiful with their natural background. Thanks for sharing these sites with us.
My pleasure, Rose. I’m really happy you enjoyed the information shared here.
I hadn’t ever heard of either of these icons. Thank you for the inspiration to be able to visit them one day.
You’re most welcome, Alexa. So pleased you found this inspiring.
Stonehenge is such an iconic place with remains from stone age. The huge rocks perched on one another with the green backdrop is a sight worth exploring. The reconstructed huts we’re so cute to look at with all the inclusive details.
Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Puloma. I totally agree and also felt Avebury likewise was a worthwhile experience.
Wow. Thanks for sharing this. Looks amazing. Adding it to my bucket list.
So pleased you liked this and want to visit also, Kushigalu.
How amazing to see Stonehenge! This would be a once in a lifetime experience.
It certainly is for most people, Marysa. Certainly worth the trip in my view.
The history of this is fascinating. I will say that I find most history to be interesting. The way people moved and built things in centuries past was completely manual but still ingenious
Given what stone age people had to work with, Elise, I couldn’t agree more. It would be so good if we also knew for certain the reason behind building these amazing circles.
Wow this is so pretty! All these photos look absolutely amazing! I would love to go to both places!
Thanks so much, Thena.
It is good to know about the lesser known places to go visit that are also awesome. I always love when I come across something like that… it feels more fulfilling than just the most popular tourist spots (even though I like those too).
That is such a great point, Rosey. Often the lesser-known places have so much to offer and provide such rewarding experiences. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Stonehenge is truly incredible and I think it’s a big mistake when traveling to England didn’t stop there. I didn’t realize you must buy a ticket to see it. And I do remember reading about Avebury before, but yeah, it’s not as popular as Stonehenge.
While that is true Umiko, I would really include a visit to Avebury as well to provide a great contrast.
Stonehenge is one of the many reasons why I want to visit the UK. Your photos are great, I love the green scenery and it’s great to know a little bit more about stonehenge and of course Avebury.
Thanks so much, Beth. I found that the more I read and learned about these places, the more fascinating they were to me.
This is cool, just love both these places. I would like to visit it one day.
Thanks, Frank. Hope you will in the future.
Thank you! I hope so too. It will be fun to check places like this one and learn more about its history.
Well there are multiple facets of various locations around Salisbury Plain, Frank, so it’s not just one place, but many with these 2 icons, in particular, being the focus here. All the best for planning your visit.
I’ve always wanted to visit Stonehenge. It’s such a unique and beautiful place.
That’s for sure, Ashley! Hope you would also consider checking out Avebury as well.
I never knew about the Avebury Stone Circle before reading this. Both attractions are such a fascinating reminder of the country’s history and is remarkable that they’re still standing tall today.
Totally agree, Lisa. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to visit and see these first hand.
I recently saw an old series ‘Children of the Stones’ on YouTube. It’s based on the Avebury Stone Circle. And your pictures just sent a recall message to that scintillating locale. I really hope I get to see this and Stonehenge sometime in the coming years. It just looks so fantastic.
Thank you so much, Ambica. I hadn’t heard of the ‘Children of the Stones’ video but I will be sure to check it out now. Really appreciate you sharing your impressions here.
The BBC also has a podcast of the same series ‘Children of the Stones’, should you browse BBC Radio. I also wonder about the magical energy of these beautiful places. And like you, I have also wondered how the ancient humans managed to carry such heavy rocks around. And they built so much that we can never imagine now. Right now, we can only save it for future generations.
That’s for sure! It is a huge mystery and there is no doubt we all have an obligation to preserve these sites as well as other significant historical treasures around the world.
Such a gorgeous cultural place to visit! Xx
And in such a scenic setting as well, Saida! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
I have been to England but have yet to visit Stonehenge. It is on my travel bucket list and after reading your article, it makes me want to see even more.
Thanks, Maureen. Don’t forget to check out Avebury as well!
Stonehenge is a place I’d love to visit. It’s too bad it’s not easy to access now. You have great info here, and I loved looking through your photos too I feel like I virtually got to visit 🙂
Thank you very much, Becky. While you are there, I really would also recommend a trip to Avebury as well.
I ADORE Stonehenge and Avebury. You should look up the Rollright stones (Chipping Norton) and NewGrange in Ireland
Thank you so much for sharing that Samantha. I have just looked up the sites for these: https://www.rollrightstones.co.uk/ and https://www.newgrange.com/ and both locations look absolutely fascinating! Would love to explore and find out more when I next visit the UK.
Such a great place to visit. It looks like an amazing experience ❤️ I would love to visit this place too.
So pleased you like this, Nicz, and I assume you are talking about Stonehenge as the place, which most do. If this is the case, also consider Avebury nearby.
I visited Stonehenge and Avebury on my first trip to England about 30 years ago. I remember being late and Stonehenge was already closed for the day, but we could just climb over the fence and had the whole site for ourselves. I would like to revisit Stonehenge one day.
Wow, that is certainly a story to tell, Natascha! I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be that easy to do that these days, given how they have developed this site now. If you do revisit, I think you would find the information and presentations at the visitor center quite interesting.
I wouldn’t plan on climbing the fence again! I wasn`t easy back then. But I can imagine that going back would be very interesting. I am thinking of a trip to UK in spring next year….
That sounds like a great idea to me! Hope you have a wonderful time.
We visited Stonehenge on our last visit to England. It was fascinating to see this iconic structure around Salisbury. But I did not know there was a second structure at the Avebury Stone Circle. Although I would not be walking the Great Stones Way – even over a number of days! How interning that the Avebury village was developed partly within the Avebury stones. Very cool that they are still finding parts of this feature. We would like the more relaxed atmosphere at Avebury. For a future visit for sure.
Thank you so much for sharing your impressions, Linda. Totally understand your preference for Avebury and it’s great to hear you would be looking to visit this on a future return trip to the UK.
The list of places I need to visit in the UK keeps growing! And it would be fun to see how different Avebury is to Stonehenge.
Sounds like your starting your planning process for your next trip, Linda. I hope you have a lovely and enjoyable time.