Grid reference SU105695. This view of the Avenue is what you would see if you were to walk in a South-easterly direction through the stones having entered the site via the South entrance/exit of Avebury. The Avenue stretches for 1½ miles (2.4km) and has several bends in its course which terminates at The Sanctuary. At its widest point, the Avenue measures 28ft (8.5m), narrowing down to 20ft (6.1m) at the entrance to The Sanctuary. The road on the left runs parallel to, and at a couple of points cuts through the Avenue. Some of the stones belonging to the site were relocated on the other side of the road. The site was excavated extensively in the 1930’s by Alexander Keiller who was responsible for re-erecting a number of the stones, which numbered approximately 100 when it was initially constructed. Stones which were missing had their positions marked by concrete plinths. (See Image Map, ‘J’).
THE BECKHAMPTON AVENUE & COVE |
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| Grid reference SU089693. Known as the “Long Stones” or the “Devil’s Quoits”, or Adam (left) and Eve (right), these are all that remain of the Beckhampton Cove and the avenue of stones which extended from the Western exit of Avebury’s main site. Adam is the last remaining stone of the Cove, which preceded the construction of the Beckhampton Avenue and of which, Eve is the only stone to survive. These two pictures were taken from quite a distance, since the stones are set in a farmer’s field. This fact and the subsequent enlargement of the pictures, explains why the quality is somewhat poor. | |
Grid reference SU119679. The story of this small monument on Overton Hill is rather sad. The Sanctuary remained intact until 1724 when it was completely destroyed to enable ploughing to take place. William Stukeley, who witnessed the destruction of the site, remarked that it was demolished, “For a dirty little profit”. When excavations took place in 1930 by Mrs Cunnington the holes where the stones had previously been were marked by concrete blocks.
The picture above vaguely shows the concrete posts which mark the layout of concentric circles which once stood on the site. It measured about 130ft (39.6m) in diameter and at one point there was probably a hut at the centre of the site which may have been some kind of sanctified area. The building of the site took place in several phases.
Grid reference SU087714. It is difficult to get a good photograph of Windmill Hill from ground level—and to be honest, the above picture does not do the site much justice as the area is better viewed from the air. The site was originally a Neolithic settlement and is probably the oldest of the Avebury monuments, dating to about 3700 BC. Windmill Hill covers an area of about 21 acres (8.5 hectares), consisting of three banks and ditches in the form of concentric circles.
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