Although Stonhenge is the most publicized henge in the UK, Avebury is actually the largest at approximately 14 times the size of Stonehenge, and is dated at at least 5,000 years. The entire town of Avebury is inside the largest circle of stone, with several smaller henges located inside and around the town. This, folks, is truly a sight worth seeing... and it is free.
Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury is not roped off so you can actually walk in through all the stones to your heart's content. Plan to spend an entire day here doing just that if you are interested in this type of thing. We went with Astral Tours and were only alotted about an hour and a half, but that was plenty of time to find the main 'gateway,' if you will. I'm not the only one who felt an immediate something upon entering the smaller circle in the field across from the pub. I heard a young man of about 12 years ask his parents, with awe in his voice, if they could feel that. I glanced over and nodded to him. I could indeed feel it. Not everybody could. The thing is that I believe we are all born with the ability to sense much, but it is drummed out of us from an early age. Naturally, children are much more sensitive than your average adult because they still retain that ability to believe. At any rate, there is absolutely something here, call it what you will.
I'm not saying there is nothing at Stonehenge. As my daughter pointed out to me, one visit does not conclusive evidence make, and Stonehenge has been touristified to death. Avebury retains some of it's purity as it is not all that well known yet for some odd reason. It is also about 500 years older than Stonehenge, having been started around 3000 BC.
The outer main henge comprises 101 stones and is about 1.5km in circumferance, while the two main inner henges are made up of about 30 stones each. The total area covered is about 28 acres. The largest stone here is 7m (21ft) tall. Wow. Each of the stones weighs in the vicinity of 10 to 100 tonnes. How did they get all these stones here and in their proper places? That, folks, is the question which has yet to be answered.
Luckily, someone recognized the significance of Avebury and set about trying to preserve it. You see, the dreaded church at one time demanded it be destroyed. Bit of a threat to them wasn't it? Grrrr. Some of the stones got used to make the wall behind the church, and some got merely buried by the rebelious townsfolk, but most remain as they were... except for the few which a rather industious guy named Alexander Keiller who bought the place, un-buried most of the stones, and set monoliths into the spots where stones had been destroyed. It is now owned and protected by the National Trust.
Besides the Red Lion pub there, which has wonderful bar food and ice cold drinks (along with a 300yr old ghost named Florrie), there is a nice little touristy store full of Avebury stuff. They are a tad over-priced though, with a t-shirt having run me around £15 (30 us bucks!), but you can't get Avebury stuff at the London traps like you can Stonehenge and everything else, so you are a bit stuck paying the prices if you want a souvenir of the place.
As far as handicapped access goes, well, it ain't happening very easily for folks in wheelchairs. There have been no nice paths laid in the area, and this pleases me. I'm sorry, but it does. I liked seeing it as it really is rather than touristified to hell and back.
Five full stars for Avebury and its Stone Circles. This is really the place to go if it is henges you seek on your visit to England. This is the real deal here, folks.
(Factual data re-spouted by moi is from Avebury Avenues by Esther Smith)
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Comments: 14
But.. on the other hand it is just so amazing, I want everyone to see it ;)
You have such easy access to England, so you can return, lucky you!
Carol... I am with you on the gender-specific stones. It was at one such 'couple' that the child and I felt the big 'wave' of energy, or power, or whatever it was.