Where is the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site?

It lies in Wiltshire, South West England, across two main areas: Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain and Avebury in the Marlborough Downs.

Why is this a World Heritage Site?

It preserves the best surviving examples of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial landscapes, recognised for global significance.

What is the best walk here?

The circular trail around Avebury Stone Circle and Silbury Hill is outstanding, while the Stonehenge Landscape Walk offers iconic views of the stones.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes — short circular walks and National Trust trails are suitable for families, with plenty of accessible routes.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer bring wildflowers to the downs; autumn offers atmospheric skies; winter highlights the stark beauty of the monuments.

Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures at Stonehenge & Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site

Prehistoric Monuments, Ancient Landscapes, and Sacred Pathways

A UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site where standing stones meet sweeping South West England countryside.

Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO in 1986, is one of the most iconic cultural landscapes in the world. Set in the chalk downlands of Wiltshire, in the heart of South West England, it brings together two of the finest prehistoric stone circles — Stonehenge and Avebury — along with long barrows, henges, avenues, and ritual landscapes that reveal human life and belief more than 5,000 years ago.

For walkers, this is a landscape to be experienced on foot. Trails connect Stonehenge with ancient processional ways across Salisbury Plain, while footpaths on the Marlborough Downs lead to Avebury’s vast circle, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow. Nearby, the Ridgeway National Trail — often described as Britain’s oldest road — offers panoramic ridge walks with direct links to Avebury. Walking holidays here combine world-famous archaeology with the timeless character of the English countryside, creating journeys where history and nature are inseparable.

Featured Trails

Stonehenge Landscape Trails
National Trust walking routes linking Stonehenge with burial mounds, cursus monuments, and sweeping views across Salisbury Plain.

Avebury Stone Circle & Silbury Hill Walks
Circular routes exploring the world’s largest stone circle alongside Silbury Hill and the West Kennet Long Barrow.

The Ridgeway National Trail (nearby)
An 87-mile prehistoric trackway across the chalk downs of Southern England, passing close to Avebury.

Marlborough Downs Walks
Open downland trails with far-reaching views, seasonal wildflowers, and prehistoric earthworks.

Adventure Highlights

Stonehenge: the world’s most famous prehistoric stone circle
Avebury: the largest stone circle on earth
Silbury Hill: Europe’s largest prehistoric manmade mound
West Kennet Long Barrow: a chambered tomb dating back more than 5,000 years
The Ridgeway: one of England’s greatest ancient trackways
Wildlife-rich chalk downs and rolling Wiltshire countryside
Atmospheric walking year-round with changing skies and seasonal colours