Best attractions and places to see around Winterbourne Monkton include a concentration of significant prehistoric sites within a tranquil setting. The village is situated on a gentle, south-facing slope in the Upper Kennet Valley, characterized by chalk geology. This area of Wiltshire is renowned for its ancient monuments and natural features, offering insights into Neolithic history. Visitors can explore a landscape rich in archaeological importance and scenic beauty.
Last updated: July 6, 2026
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
Highlight • Settlement
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Highlight • Natural Monument
Tip by
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
Highlight • Cycleway
Tip by
Sign up for free to discover even more attractions around Winterbourne Monkton.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
An interesting village with a historical background and many sights: 1. Avebury Stone Circle The largest prehistoric stone circle in the world. Unlike Stonehenge, you can walk freely among the stones. The circle even encloses the village of Avebury. 2. Avebury Henge The massive earthwork and ditch surrounding the stone circle. From some vantage points, you get a good impression of the enormous dimensions of the site. 3. Silbury Hill Europe's largest man-made prehistoric mound. The hill lies about 2 km south of Avebury and is a fascinating Neolithic puzzle. 4. West Kennet Long Barrow A Neolithic chamber tomb over 5,000 years old, the burial chambers of which can be entered. Particularly atmospheric in the early morning or evening. 5. The Sanctuary The remains of another Stone Age ritual site at the end of the old processional way. 6. West Kennet Avenue An impressive avenue of standing stones that once linked Avebury with The Sanctuary. 7. Avebury Manor A 16th-century manor house with beautiful gardens. It is now looked after by the National Trust. 8. Alexander Keiller Museum A small but very interesting museum about the history and archaeology of Avebury and the surrounding monuments. 9. Windmill Hill One of the oldest known Neolithic sites in Britain with beautiful views over the Wiltshire landscape.
1
0
Avebury is one of the largest prehistoric stone circles in the world. Unlike many other stone monuments, here you can walk among the massive stones and experience the special atmosphere up close. The site was created about 4,500 years ago and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
1
0
Such a beautifully preserved village. It's bizarre that they put a road straight through it though.
0
0
Sidbury Hill, or Sidbury Camp, is the site of an Iron Age bivallate hillfort on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. The site is sub-triangular in shape, approximately 17 acres in area, and is constructed on the site of a Neolithic settlement. The hill offers excellent defensive slopes on all sides, which have been supplemented by the double ditch and rampart earthworks. The settlement and hillfort were partially excavated in the 19th century and the 1950s; there were finds of pottery and other artefacts. A Neolithic settlement site was discovered during the excavation in the 1950s, being of a section of the south-east rampart of the hillfort. A number of flint flakes and tools were recovered. The site is a scheduled national monument. Trees planted in the 1960s were removed from 2002 and the area was allowed to revert to the natural chalk downland. Access to the site is difficult as it is on, or near, Ministry of Defence land, and there are many tank tracks and occasional artillery firing in the area. There are also numerous ditches, barrows, trackways, field systems, and tumuli in the area. Due to erosion issues climbing on the barrow is now forbidden. Such a shame, but understandable.
0
0
The top section is great coming down after Fyfield Common, but the descent down into Avebury is tricky even on a mtb. Once you reach the farm it's been absolutely destroyed by 4x4s and tractors. So good luck. This type of track is my least favourite part of "official" cycling trails. They just whack the signage up and don't do any restoration or introduction of bylaws to prevent offroad vehicles from using them, restricting enjoyment for other users. It's not like there aren't miles and miles of offroad byways around here which could be legislated for multi-use and non-motorised use.
0
0
Decent Food in the Avebury Community Shop
0
0
The area is rich in ancient history. You can visit the extraordinary Avebury Stone Circle, a Neolithic monument large enough to encompass part of the village. Nearby, explore Silbury Hill, Europe's largest artificial mound, and the West Kennet Long Barrow, a Neolithic burial chamber you can venture inside. The village also features the historic Church of St Mary Magdalen, with origins dating back to the 12th century.
Yes, the region offers beautiful natural landscapes. You can see the Cherhill White Horse, the second oldest white horse in Wiltshire, which provides breathtaking views of the countryside. The ancient Ridgeway National Trail forms part of the parish boundary, offering scenic walks. The village itself is named after the Winterbourne, a seasonal stream that flows during winter months.
The area is excellent for walking and cycling. You can explore footpaths through Avebury connecting to other ancient sites, or walk an easy byway to the nearby village of Berwick Bassett. For more structured routes, check out guides like Easy hikes around Winterbourne Monkton, MTB Trails around Winterbourne Monkton, and Road Cycling Routes around Winterbourne Monkton.
Absolutely. The Avebury Stone Circle is considered family-friendly, allowing visitors to get close to and even touch the ancient stones. Exploring the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow can also be an engaging experience for families.
The area's ancient sites and natural beauty can be enjoyed year-round. For walkers, the North Wiltshire & Wessex Downs AONB is particularly pleasant in spring and summer. If you wish to see the seasonal Winterbourne stream flowing, a visit during the winter months would be ideal.
The Avebury Stone Circle itself offers a direct experience of the Neolithic period. Additionally, the Alexander Keiller Museum in Avebury provides further insights into the prehistoric landscape and archaeological discoveries of the region.
The village sits on a gentle, south-facing slope in the Upper Kennet Valley, characterized by chalk geology. Walks often involve footpaths through fields and along ancient trackways like The Ridgeway. Some sections, especially on trails like the Avebury to Ridgeway Track, can be chalky, rutted, and potentially muddy after rain, so appropriate footwear is recommended.
Yes, the village has a local pub, The New Inn, which reopened in 2018 and also includes an attached B&B, offering a convenient option for food and accommodation.
Many footpaths and public rights of way in the North Wiltshire & Wessex Downs AONB are dog-friendly. However, always keep dogs under control, especially near livestock, and follow local signage regarding leads. The Avebury Stone Circle area is generally welcoming to dogs on leads.
The Church of St Mary Magdalen, a Grade II listed building, has an unusual bell tower supported by two massive tree trunks instead of cut timber. It also houses a 12th-century Norman font with fragments of medieval paint, and its history suggests it may have served as a 'Slipper Shrine' for pilgrims heading to Avebury.
Visitors particularly appreciate the unique opportunity to get up close to and touch the stones at Avebury Stone Circle, noting its impressive scale and free entry. The historical significance of sites like Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, combined with the scenic views from places like Cherhill White Horse, are frequently highlighted.
Yes, there are several easy walks. Footpaths through the Avebury Stone Circle area are generally accessible. You can also find specific easy routes in the Easy hikes around Winterbourne Monkton guide, such as the loop from Avebury Stone Circle to Avebury Village.


Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions: