please empty your brain below
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Sounds like a grand day out.
RogerB | 09.02.20 - 7:36 a.m. | #
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Last photo - there was me thinking 'active volcano found in the West Country'.
If they are on the upper deck at least they are reasonably physically fit elderly travellers.
Still Anon | 09.02.20 - 8:41 a.m. | #
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i'm glad you picked a favourably sunny day that enhanced the mixed architectural features of Swindon and also dramatised
Avebury, despite the squintyness.
I like the shadows in your photos.
For a short Feb day your range was inspirational.
the other eric | 09.02.20 - 9:57 a.m. | #
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Caveat to a winter caveat: If Avebury Manor is open then I would recommend visiting that before walking round the circle. This avoids "muddy boots in historic property" embarrassment.
2d53 | Homepage | 09.02.20 - 10:09 a.m. | #
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I remember 'Children of the Stones' which was filmed there. Scared me when I first saw it. Still makes me slightly uncomfortable these days.
No longer In London | 09.02.20 - 10:17 a.m. | #
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One of my most favourite places, ever since watching Children of the Stones as a kid and then begging my parents to detour en route to/from Cornwall each year thereafter!
Shame you didn't get to the Barrow - swallows nest inside in the summer and share the entrance with visitors!
I considered doing it in a day avoiding Swindon (because of the cost) and using Great Bedwyn instead, but the hourly bus connection to Marlborough seemed to coincide with the train's arrival on days the manor was closed, and not on days it was open! Besides, it would have taken so long as to only give an hour or so there.
Number one on my bucket list though is to walk the Ridgeway from Ivinghoe Beacon to Avebury.
Cornish Cockney | 09.02.20 - 10:22 a.m. | #
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We once did that walk to Silbury Hill, no one else in sight, getting near we surprised a hare that belted off across the field. A little bit magical.
We also visited the Long Barrow, which at the time you could crawl right inside. It had about 10 people in it, this was the weekend of midsummers day.
Joho | Homepage | 09.02.20 - 10:25 a.m. | #
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Winter caveat: I had been hoping to walk the extra mile to West Kennet Long Barrow, but ground conditions suggested otherwise.
diamond geezer | Homepage | 09.02.20 - 10:35 a.m. | #
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Years ago on STV there was a series called "Along the Ridgeway" filmed by a husband and wife team. I had it on VHS for my dad, and amazingly I see it's now on DVD on Amazon. There's also a clip on YouTube to give you the flavour.
It's rather delightful, made me want to do the walk (but I haven't yet).
Joho | Homepage | 09.02.20 - 10:41 a.m. | #
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Swindon is moderately grim (although in the several years I've lived about 20 miles from it have found it increasingly less unappealing and occasionally more interesting) - but it is really is surrounded in all directions by both beautiful countryside and places of historic interest - in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and historic Berkshire/now Oxfordshire.
And for the most part they either have very good (like Avebury) or recently decent public transport connections.
Although the main exception to that rule is possibly the most fascinating of all: the Uffington White Horse (which is visible from the train between Didcot and Swindon if you know where to look), also just off the Ridgeway, but as things stand probably a two-hour trudge (at least) from the nearest bus stop.
Avebury is incredibly atmospheric though. Maybe especially at this time of year.
Dominic H | 09.02.20 - 11:39 a.m. | #
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...all of a sudden i looking forward to some "Summer caveats" ...think they highly overlooked
Grumpy Anon | 09.02.20 - 11:42 a.m. | #
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I far prefer Avebury to Stonehenge. As you say, the starting fact is that there's more of it. It's also part of a living community; it doesn't have an admission charge; and it's not screened by ropes and fences. It's even got a nice pub.
RogerW | 09.02.20 - 1:59 p.m. | #
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For visitors with more time to spare than the intrepid DG, try walking east instead of (or as well as) south to Silbury Hill. Then up on the downs you can see the Grey Wethers; "wild" Sarsens in their natural habitat, having missed out on selection by the circle-builders.
Jonalot | 09.02.20 - 2:32 p.m. | #
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I walked to Avebury from Marlborough and took a detour to approach via the West Kennet Avenue. Road users share it for part of the route but walkers can follow the stones all the way, which is a marvellous way to arrive. I too was grateful for the surprisingly good bus service.
Silbury Hill is utterly bizarre, possibly more so than Stonehenge or Avebury. An honourable mention by the way for the Rollright Stones; on a completely different scale but equally atmospheric.
Andrew S | 09.02.20 - 4:04 p.m. | #
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Loved Avebury and the surrounding area, a great way to finish the Ridgeway walk
Mikey C | 10.02.20 - 12:41 p.m. | #
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I learned about Avebury about 7 years ago in very complicated circumstances. I primarily got fascinated by it through its description on SABRE.
After about 2 years, I had my first visit to England. I spent several days in Bath, one of which I joined a local tour to Avebury before Stonehench. Being in a windy November day with drizzles made the experience quite bizarre.
Patrickov | 10.02.20 - 3:10 p.m. | #
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