When thinking about the world’s biggest and best prehistoric stone circles (as one so often does, right?); it’s somehow always Stonehenge that manages to nab the spotlight. But there is, in fact, a larger and lesser-known stone circle just two hours outside the capital city, that’s well worth discovering.
A teeny-tiny village in Wiltshire happens to be the lucky location that holds the accolade of having the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle. Well, actually – the village is technically inside the stone circle, not the other way around. The a-stone-ishing ancient henge surrounds the majority of the picture-perfect village, and it remains one of the greatest marvels of prehistoric Britain.
The largest prehistoric stone circle in the world
The rather hefty stone circle is part of the Avebury World Heritage Site. The site is internationally significant as it contains multiple Neolithic and Bronze Age features. The ancient area boasts a huge bank and ditch, a museum, a manor house (which is currently closed due to restoration work), and the remains of two smaller stone circles within the larger outer stone circle.
Dating back approximately 4,600 years, the site is thought to have been built over several hundred years during the Neolithic period. The banks and ditches on which the sizeable stones sit span almost a mile in circumference, and together form Avebury Henge.
The stones themselves are pretty darn huge, weighing at least 100 tonnes. The exact sequence of construction of the banks, ditches and stone circles is still not fully understood – and the spot is still revealing its secrets to archaeologists today. It’s original purpose is unknown, but archeologists suggest that it could have been used as a ceremonial site.
The site is managed by the National Trust on behalf of English Heritage, and visitors can walk amongst the stones, explore the henge banks, and gawp at the complexity of this incredible piece of British history.
Getting to Avebury from London
Avebury is approximately a two hour drive from London, and parking is available on site. Non-drivers can hop on a train from London Paddington to Swindon and take an onward bus from there.
Find out more and plan your visit here.