Walk stats
- Distance8.4 km · 5.2 mi
- Elevation+96 m
- Duration2 hr
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainChalk paths, field tracks and village lanes; gentle undulations
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDog friendly on leads (livestock and sheep grazing near the stones)
About this walk
Starting from Beckhampton, this linear route heads east across the chalk downland of Wiltshire towards one of the most remarkable prehistoric landscapes in Britain. The walk soon brings you into the vast Avebury Stone Circle, the largest megalithic stone circle in the world, where sarsen stones stand within a huge earthwork bank and ditch that encloses much of the village itself.
From the circle the route follows the West Kennet Avenue, a striking double row of standing stones that once linked Avebury to the wider ceremonial landscape. Rolling views open out towards Waden Hill as you continue along the well-trodden path, with the Ridgeway and surrounding downs stretching away on either side.
The walk finishes at Unhenged, a fitting end to a route that threads together some of Wiltshire's most evocative ancient sites. With Avebury Manor Garden and the village itself close at hand, there is plenty to explore before catching onward transport back.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
4 waypoints along the way
- 1
Start: Beckhampton
- Start
The start of the route.
- 2
Avebury Stone Circle
- 3
West Kennet Avenue
- 4
Unhenged
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Waden Hill
~260 m off the route
Avebury
~189 m off the route
Avebury Manor Garden
~193 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).