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West Kennett Avenue

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A long, winding avenue, composed of parallel rows of standing stones, stretching the the southern end of the henge at Avebury to The Sanctuary on Overton Hill, over 1.5 miles away. Over 100 pairs of stones still stand, most near the Avebury end of the Avenue.

The avenue seems to form some kind of a processional way, used for ritual observances. Quite what those observances are is anyone's guess.

The size of the stones varies quite markedly, from a high of 3.3 metres down to 1.6 metres. The rows are on average about 15 metres apart, and stones in each row are spaced at about 20 metres.

One theory suggests that the stones were alternating symbols for male and female, with larger, more uprght stones representing males, and shorter, diamond-shaped stones representing females. That would suggest some sort of fertility aspect to the Avenue, but there is no solid evidence to prove this hypothesis.

A burial was found beneath one of the stones, and other possible burial sites in close proximity.

Near the Overton Hill end of the Avenue is an earthwork bank, which runs in a line for 320 metres. Though perhaps of medieval origin, this bank has been suggested as a being contemporary with the Avenue. Some investigators suggest that a cove, or semi-circular enclosure, once stood within the Avenue, but this suggestion is not universally accepted.

A similar avenue of stones, dubbed the Beckhampton Avenue, once ran from the western side of Avebury, though most of this avenue has been lost.
B4003, Avebury, Wiltshire, England

About West Kennett Avenue
Attraction Type: Prehistoric
Location: The best way to visit is to park in the National Trust parking lot in Avebury and walk across Avebury henge to the begining of the avenue. Try to avoid visiting at the time of the summer solstice, as the crowds can be very large.
Website: West Kennett Avenue
English Heritage
Location map
OS SU105695
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Avebury Stone Circle - 0.4 miles (Prehistoric) Avebury Manor and Garden - 0.4 miles (Historic House) Alexander Keillor Museum - 0.5 miles (Museum) Silbury Hill - 0.6 miles (Prehistoric) West Kennet Long Barrow - 1.1 miles (Prehistoric) Avebury Sanctuary - 1.2 miles (Prehistoric) Windmill Hill - 1.5 miles (Prehistoric) Hatfield Earthworks - 6.9 miles (Prehistoric)

Nearest Towns and Villages Lacock - 11.6 miles away Malmesbury - 15.6 miles away Castle Combe - 16.8 miles away Bradford-on-Avon - 17.4 miles away Tetbury - 19.7 miles away Fairford - 19.8 miles away Lechlade - 19.9 miles away Ampney Crucis - 20 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to West Kennett Avenue

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Cherry Lodge - 5.8 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £200

Walnut Lodge - 5.8 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £226

Dairy Cottage - 5.8 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire Sleeps: 8 Stay from: £340

More Self Catering near West Kennett Avenue

Nearest Hotels

Castle and Ball - 5.1 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire Stay from: £19.00

The Castle & Ball Hotel - 5.1 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire Stay from: £52.50

White Hart Hotel - 6.5 miles from West Kennett Avenue Calne, Wiltshire Stay from: £59.90

More Hotels near West Kennett Avenue

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

AVEBURYLIFE - 0.9 miles from West Kennett Avenue Avebury, Wiltshire From: £35.00

The Old Forge Bed & Breakfast - 1.5 miles from West Kennett Avenue Avebury, Wiltshire From: £100.00

The Inn With The Well - 6.7 miles from West Kennett Avenue Marlborough, Wiltshire From: £45.00

More bed and breakfasts near West Kennett Avenue

Avebury
Tourist Information Centre
Avebury Chapel Centre
Green Street
Avebury
Wiltshire
England
SN8 1RE
Tel: 01672 539425
Fax: 01672 539296
Email: all.atic@kennet.gov.uk
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