Avebury, Silbury Hill and the Kennetts

I met up with my friend Mervyn for a socially distant walk starting at Overton Hill on the A4 west of Marlborough. We headed past some travellers' vehicles and continued along a grassy path heading north for about a mile. The rather lovely view back and to the west is shown above.

We turned left onto the Wessex Ridgeway heading towards Avebury for about another mile. We knew we were almost there when we reached these earthworks.

We continued towards the site passing this rather wonderful thatched house with an out-building attached.

This was quickly followed by an attractive former United Reformed Church chapel, acquired by the National Trust in 2017.

This wasn't the day to explore Avebury, but here is a sample of the standing stones. I realise that I have now walked through Avebury three times, but never done a comprehensive walk around the site. One for the to do list!

We left Avebury in the direction of Silbury Hill, which became clear once we passed a line of trees. From English Heritage: "The largest artificial mound in Europe, mysterious Silbury Hill compares in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids. Probably completed in around 2400 BC, it apparently contains no burial. Though clearly important in itself, its purpose and significance remain unknown."

We crossed the A4 and headed up a grassy path to reach West Kennett Long Barrow. It is, according to English Heritage, "one of the largest, most impressive and most accessible Neolithic chambered tombs in Britain. Built in around 3650 BC, it was used for a short time as a burial chamber, nearly 50 people being buried here before the chambers were blocked.

We retraced our steps towards the A4 and were delighted by this view of Silbury Hill, which gives a clearer sense of its place in the landscape.

We turned right before teh road and followed field paths towards the delightful village of East Kennett. We missed a turning somewhere on the way, but still managed to reach the village centre. We doubled back to see the village church, Christ Church of 1864.

There were some attractive houses, but pride of place goes to the late Georgian Manor House. The parts to the left and right of the main building are later additions. We quite liked the chamfered corners.

Conditions: cool and rather grey at first, becoming brighter.

From: Walking in the North Wessex Downs (Cicerone).

Map: Explorer 157 (Marlborough & Savernake Forest).

Distance: 7 miles.

Rating: four stars.