One of the more out-of-this-world theories that coalesce around Stonehenge is that it was built by aliens, or is in some way connected with extra-terrestrial intelligence.
Does this look like an alien ship? ‘Flying saucer’ UFO is captured hovering over Stonehenge, claim conspiracy theorists
Although easy for most of a critical persuasion to dismiss or even to scoff at as an example of the credulity of some people on a par with the Flat Earth Society, the association is worthy of discussion for the very fact it exists as one star in a whole constellation of theories which the world-famous site has attracted. The alien theory has arisen through a combination of factors:
The paucity of written records about the purpose of Stonehenge, originating as it did in 3 phases over a 1500 year period from 3100-1600 BCE in the Neolithic.
The association of monoliths and stone circles with…
The awe-inspiring stone circle of Avebury, a few miles north of Stonehenge, is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, and rightly so, but unlike its more famous neighbour, Stonehenge, is unfenced. On this walking tour of the site, you will be able to wander freely among the stones.
Unique to this guided tour is the sense of being in an ancient and sacred place; the combination of the natural and historic sights is simply spectacular.
The Story of Avebury: (10,000 years in 60 minutes) Explore the amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avebury – home of the largest stone circle in Britain – in the company of an author and Megalithic academic.
In this low-level walking tour we’ll delve into Deep Time to explore the amazing history of Avebury. Meeting at the main car-park you’ll be guided around the Avebury site by a lecturer, author and storyteller, who will bring alive the epic sweep of Prehistory in situ. The walk will circumnavigate the main circle of the stones, and will be divided into four sections:
PART 1: A LINE IN THE CHALK We explore the first quarter of the Avebury circle, and delve 10,000 years into the past, as we look at the earliest activity in the area from the Mesolithic period (8500-4500 BCE). We’ll hunt and gather the evidence of the earliest human activity in the area, and spend time up-close-and-personal with the standing stones – a chance to tune into their energy and connect to ancient history if you wish!
Incredible trees once visited by The Lord of the Rings author, JRR Tolkien
PART 2: ROLL OUT THE BARROW We explore the second, most dramatic, quarter of the Avebury circle – with the most iconic megaliths, the mysterious obelisk, and the Goddess and Altar stones, plus the amazing beech grove with its offerings (a chance to spend a moment meditating within these incredible trees once visited by The Lord of the Rings author, JRR Tolkien). We explore the key period for the construction of Avebury (Neolithic 4500-2500 BCE), when the massive henge was created and the mighty sarsen stones transported and erected. We’ll also look at the Bronze Age (2500-800 BCE), when we start to see Round Barrows appear in the surrounding landscape.
PART 3: STONE-SMASHERS & ANTIQUARIANS We move onto the picturesque third quarter of the Avebury circle, with its charming thatched barns – and the iconic Cove pair of stones. Here you’ll learn about the destructive Middle Ages – when there was a spate of stone-smashing, which ended disastrously! And then we’ll galloped ahead into the Early Modern Period, where we’ll meet the gentlemen antiquarians who first ‘discovered’ and surveyed the Avebury monument. We’ll learn of their fanciful theories, and you can decide how wide of the mark they were!
Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, in southwest England. One of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain, it contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world
PART 4: MR MARMALADE SAVES THE DAY In the fourth quarter of the Avebury circle, we’ll bring the story up-to-date, from the Late Victorian to the Present Day. Weaving amongst the stone you’ll learn how the son of a ‘marmalade magnate’ saved the stones and radically transformed the village of Avebury – preserving it for future generations. You’ll be shown the picturesque National Trust section, with the Alexander Keiller Museum (entry not included), gift shop and tea rooms. Here we’ll end the tour, unless you wish to continue chatting over refreshments!
This walk is not about covering lots of distance, but about zooming in on the details – things that may easily be missed by the casual visitor. Each magnificent megalith will be observed up-close, and time will be allowed for connecting with the stones and for photo-opportunities.
*There will be an option afterwards for refreshments either at the National Trust tea rooms or The Red Lion. A village shop also sells snacks and drinks.
Activity: light. Slopes/steps. Suitable footwear recommended. Duration: 90 minutes (including introductions and collection from car-park).
Stonehenge could be called ‘Storyhenge’, for this Neolithic monument – ancient, mysterious and yet world-famous and one of the most photographed landmarks on the planet – attracts stories like a magnet does iron filings. In the absence of written records left by the original builders a plethora of narratives have accreted around the striking circle of megaliths, which stand taciturn and proud on Salisbury like so many cousins of the Easter Island moai. Long after the original architects had become part of the landscape themselves – cremated remains cooling within grooven earthenware beakers buried in post-holes, or entombed in long barrows – and long after living memory and oral tradition had faded, the stories moved in, claiming the stones for their own, like the resident population of jackdaws who nest in the nook and crannies of the trilithons: each story raucously claiming attention above the rest – Listen to me!…
Celebrate as our ancestors have done for thousands of years inside the magnificent Megaliths of Avebury Stone Circle. Music, singing and some colourful ceremonies ensure a lively atmosphere at Avebury to mark the Winter Solstice Celebrations. Experience up close, one of the wonders of the world’s largest Stone Circle.
It’s an ad hoc celebration that brings together England’s New Age Tribes (neo-druids, neo-pagans, Wiccans)
SOLSTICE21st DECEMBER 2020 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Sunrise at Avebury Stone Circle West Kennet Long Barrow Traditional Pub Lunch English Heritage Stonehenge visitor centre Visit Stonehenge and witness the solstice sunset Durrington Walls and Woodhenge Luxury Mini Coach | London and Bath Departures.
Avebury Stone Circle dwarves Stonehenge and some parts of the complex are older than Stonehenge itself. First, we visit a 6000-year old tomb, the West Kennet Long Barrow, and enter the tomb itself. Back outside take in the wonderful views across the countryside to the world’s largest man-made prehistoric hill, Silbury Hill. West Kennet Long Barrow is a Neolithic tomb or barrow, located near Silbury Hill close to Avebury in Wiltshire. It was built over five and a half thousand years ago and and important pilgrimidge site on the solstice.
Arguably West Kennet Barrow offers one of the most intimate experiences of any ancient site – you are allowed to enter the actual chambers of the barrow, but best to bring a torch with you if you want to see anything on the solstice.
Visit Avebury Stone Circle on the Winter Solstice Avebury Henge is one of the Wonders of Ancient Britain. Originally, the megalithic complex consisted of over 700 standing stones and contained the world’s largest stone circle. Long and meandering stone avenues coursed for one and a half miles which led to the inner circles and the heart of the stone temple. Walk amongst the Stones with the Druids and Pagans absorbing the magic of the largest Stone Circle in the world at one of the most important times of year. Take time to reflect upon its powerful, mysterious presence and the ancient engineering and design.
“Unique to this guided tour is the sense of being in an ancient and sacred place; the combination of the natural and historic sights is simply spectacular.”
We then take the scenic historic route using the country lanes. As we meander through the countryside to Stonehenge, we pass famous white horses carved into the chalk hillsides and picturesque, tucked away villages. We stop at a traditional country Pub for lunch (included in price). Enjoy a local pint of ale or cider before our onward journey.
Then we will visit key archaeology sites including Durrington Walls, Woodhenge and The Cursus and learn more about the archaeological landscape and investigative work that has taken place in recent years.
Stonehenge is carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset. This allows you to witness the sunsetting on the Solstice itself
“The big skies, striking views of the stone circle and sense of ancientness make the Stonehenge landscape a fine place for a truly magical guided tour”
Finally we arrive at the Stonehenge visitor centre. We allow time to explore the exhibition centre before a guided walking tour of the monument itself. Stonehenge is carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset on December 21st. Witness the sun setting at Stonehenge from the ceremonial Avenue on the most important day of the Celtic Calander. We will be there for sunset!
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Stonehenge Guided Tours 