Best natural monuments around Broad Town are situated within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, an area known for its ancient history and natural beauty. This region features a variety of significant prehistoric sites and impressive natural landscapes. Visitors can explore 19 natural monuments around Broad Town, offering insights into past cultures and scenic views. The area provides opportunities to experience historical landmarks and unique geological formations.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
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Devil's Den stone monument is a Neolithic dolmen (burial chamber) located in Wiltshire, near Marlborough, not Sturminster Newton. The structure features a massive 17-ton capstone resting on two upright sarsen stones. Local folklore claims that if water is poured into the hollows on the capstone, the Devil himself will come during the night to drink it. It was largely reconstructed in 1921 after the chamber collapsed.
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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.
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A well preserved bell barrow, the mound of which measures 22m in diameter and stands up to 2.8m high. The mound is surrounded by a berm up to 5m in diameter and a ditch 0.7m deep and up to 6.2m wide. One of these two bell barrows produced a sherd of Bronze Age pottery and a fragment of a polished greenstone axe, both found by Owen Meyrick. A bell barrow, the mound of which measures 24m in diameter and stands 2.7m high. The berm and ditch which surround this barrow have been levelled by cultivation on three sides but survive as buried features on the fourth. From measurements on the western side it can be seen that the berm is c.3m wide and that the ditch is c.5m wide.
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Who wouldn't want to walk into a neolithic burial chamber? anybody? no? didn't think so!!! It was amazing!!! The monument includes six prominent Bronze Age round barrows which form part of a larger round barrow cemetery north-east of West Kennett Farm and west of the Ridgeway track on Overton Hill. This is the site of a round barrow which, despite being ploughed level, will contain archaeological information; the old ground surface beneath the mound and the surrounding quarry ditch, from which material was quarried during construction of the monument, will survive as buried features. The area of the mound has a diameter of 33m; the surrounding ditch is c.2m wide. A bowl barrow, the mound of which measures 41.5m in diameter and stands up to 1.2m high. The mound is surrounded by a ditch which has become infilled over the years but which survives as a buried feature c.3m wide. This barrow has been partially excavated on two occasions, in 1857 by Thurnham and again in 1882 by W & H Cunnington. The primary cremation burial was not located but two secondary cremations were recovered. One was located north- west of the centre of the mound and was accompanied by a flint scraper and a serrated flint flake; the other was situated east of the centre and contained pottery sherds of two vessels, a beaker and an urn, as well as a piece of antler and several bone pins. A bowl barrow, the mound of which measures 42m in diameter and stands up to 0.7m high. The barrow has been partially excavated on two occasions, in 1857 by Thurnham and in 1882 by Ponting. These revealed that the barrow mound contained a crouched skeleton in a grave partly lined and roofed with sarsens. This was covered by a sarsen cairn, itself ringed by a double circle of sarsen stones c.1m outside the edge of the cairn. There was no evidence of a ditch around this barrow. Other finds included a later crouched skeleton covered with sarsen stones, the skeleton of a child, three large urns full of burnt bones and the perforated head of a bone pin. A well preserved bell barrow, the mound of which measures 26m in diameter and stands up to 3m high. The mound is surrounded by a gently sloping berm or platform c.3m wide and a ditch 0.5m deep and up to 6.4m wide.
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In a field on Fyfield Down, 1 mile east of Marlborough, Wiltshire, stands the prehistoric burial chamber known as The Devil’s Den or Clatford Bottom Stone, a Neolithic monument from 5,000 years ago that is also known as a Dolmen (stone table). Get up here on a clear day, nice and early, and you'll witness the most amazing sunrise.
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Got to be honest Farid mate this has given me the biggest laugh ever on Kamoot. Not like it's going to be there the next time!!!
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The area around Broad Town, nestled within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, is rich in ancient history and natural beauty. Key sites include the extraordinary Avebury Stone Circle, the mysterious Silbury Hill (Europe's largest artificial mound), and the well-preserved West Kennet Long Barrow. You can also see the iconic Cherhill White Horse carved into the chalk hillside.
The natural monuments around Broad Town are deeply rooted in history, primarily from the Neolithic period. You can explore ancient burial chambers like West Kennet Long Barrow, which is older than Stonehenge and allows entry into its chambers. The Avebury Stone Circle is a vast Neolithic henge monument, and Devil's Den Dolmen is another fascinating burial chamber.
Yes, several natural monuments provide excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The Cherhill White Horse offers breathtaking views over the picturesque landscape from its vantage point. Silbury Hill, while a monument itself, also provides a prominent feature in the landscape, and nearby trails often offer scenic perspectives of it and the wider area.
Many of the natural monuments are suitable for families. For instance, Avebury Stone Circle is considered family-friendly, offering open spaces for exploration. The ability to get close to and even touch the stones at Avebury makes it an engaging experience for children. Always check specific site conditions, as some paths can be muddy, requiring appropriate footwear.
The area around Broad Town is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, such as the easy 'Wilts & Berks Canal Overflow loop' or the moderate 'Broad Hinton Village Centre – Bincknoll Castle Earthworks loop'. For cyclists, there are routes like the 'Woodshaw Down and Up loop'. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore trails like 'The Ridgeway at Barbury Castle'. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the dedicated guides for hiking, cycling, and MTB trails around Broad Town.
Yes, you can enter the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow, a well-preserved Neolithic burial chamber. It can be dark inside, so it's advisable to bring a torch to fully appreciate the ancient structure.
Avebury Stone Circle is a unique Neolithic site where you can get close to and touch the stones, unlike some other famous stone circles. It's free to enter and explore. Be aware that the fields can be muddy, so good footwear is recommended. Numerous footpaths connect Avebury to other nearby prehistoric remnants like West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill.
Yes, both the Avebury Stone Circle and West Kennet Long Barrow are free to enter. West Kennet Long Barrow is managed by the National Trust on behalf of English Heritage and is accessible during reasonable daylight hours.
Silbury Hill is the largest artificial mound in Europe, comparable in height and volume to the Egyptian pyramids. Completed around 2400 BC, its exact purpose and significance remain a mystery, as no burials have been found within it. It is managed by English Heritage and is a compelling site due to its enigmatic nature and impressive scale.
While many outdoor areas in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape are dog-friendly, it's always best to check specific site regulations. Generally, dogs on leads are welcome on public footpaths and in open access areas. For example, Devil's Den Dolmen is open every day and welcomes cyclists, implying a generally open access policy, but specific rules for dogs should be confirmed on site or via official websites.
The natural monuments can be visited year-round. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for walking and exploring, with longer daylight hours. Autumn provides beautiful scenery with changing foliage. While winter can be colder, the sites often have a unique, stark beauty, and you might encounter fewer crowds. Be prepared for muddy conditions, especially after rain, regardless of the season.
Yes, the area is well-suited for circular walks. Many footpaths connect the various prehistoric sites around Avebury, allowing you to create circular routes that include Avebury Stone Circle, West Kennet Long Barrow, and Silbury Hill. You can find detailed route suggestions in the hiking guide for Broad Town.
The Cherhill White Horse is the second oldest of its kind in Wiltshire, carved into the chalk hillside in 1778. It's a testament to historical landscape artistry and offers superb photographic opportunities. The horse is maintained through regular re-chalking and weeding by local groups, preserving this iconic landmark.


Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Broad Town: