Home › Travel Blog › Avebury and Stonehenge from Chippenham: A Stone Circle Day Trip
Wiltshire is home to some of the most remarkable prehistoric monuments in Europe. Stonehenge is famous around the world, but just to the north lies Avebury, a vast stone circle so large that part of a village sits inside it. Together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and both are within easy reach of Chippenham. This guide explains how to plan a day trip to Avebury and Stonehenge from Chippenham, what to see at each site and how to make the most of your visit.
How far are Avebury and Stonehenge from Chippenham?
- Avebury: about 14 miles east of Chippenham, usually around 30 minutes by car.
- Stonehenge: about 29 miles south-east of Chippenham, usually around 45 minutes by car.
- Avebury to Stonehenge: roughly 25 miles, or about 40 to 50 minutes by car.
A car gives you the most flexibility for visiting both sites in a day. Public transport is possible but involves changes and careful timing, so it is better suited to visiting one site at a time. If you are staying at The Pines Guest Accommodation in Chippenham, you can park free of charge and set off after breakfast.
Morning: Avebury
Start your day at Avebury, which is quieter than Stonehenge first thing and allows you to walk right up to the stones.
The stone circles and henge
Avebury is the largest stone circle in Britain. A huge circular bank and ditch, called a henge, encloses a great outer circle of standing stones, with two smaller circles inside. The monument was built around 4,500 years ago, and it is so large that roads and part of the village run through it. Unlike Stonehenge, you can usually wander freely among the stones, which gives Avebury a very special atmosphere. Allow at least an hour to walk around the circles and along the top of the bank.
The Alexander Keiller Museum and Avebury Manor
The museum, named after the archaeologist who excavated and restored much of the site in the twentieth century, displays finds from Avebury and the surrounding landscape and helps explain how the monuments were built and used. Nearby, Avebury Manor and its gardens are also cared for by the National Trust. Check opening times, as they vary with the season.
West Kennet Avenue, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow
Just outside Avebury, a line of paired standing stones known as the West Kennet Avenue leads away to the south-east. A short drive or walk away is Silbury Hill, the largest prehistoric artificial mound in Europe. Its purpose is still a mystery, and visitors view it from a nearby viewpoint rather than climbing it. Across the road, a footpath leads up to West Kennet Long Barrow, a Neolithic chambered tomb that you can walk inside. The walk up takes around 15 to 20 minutes each way and rewards you with wide views over the landscape.
Lunch
Avebury has a café and a pub, making it a convenient place to stop for lunch before heading south. Alternatively, pack a picnic to eat with a view of the stones.
Afternoon: Stonehenge
From Avebury, drive south across the chalk downland of Salisbury Plain to Stonehenge.
Booking tickets
Stonehenge is managed by English Heritage, and timed tickets should be booked in advance online, especially during school holidays and at weekends. Members of English Heritage (and in some cases the National Trust) can visit free but may still need to reserve a time slot. Always check the official website for current prices and entry arrangements.
The visitor centre
Your visit starts at the visitor centre, which has an exhibition about the people who built Stonehenge, a collection of archaeological finds and reconstructed Neolithic houses showing how people may have lived. From here, a shuttle bus takes you to the stones, or you can walk through the landscape in around 25 to 30 minutes.
The stones
A path circles the monument, offering views from every angle. The famous large sarsen stones were brought from the area around the Marlborough Downs, not far from Avebury, while the smaller bluestones travelled all the way from the Preseli Hills in Wales, a feat that still amazes archaeologists. Allow at least two to three hours for the whole visit, including the exhibition and the walk.
Solstice and special access
Stonehenge is aligned with the movements of the sun, and the summer and winter solstices attract large crowds. Special access arrangements apply on these dates, and accommodation in the area books up quickly. English Heritage also runs occasional stone circle access visits that allow small groups inside the circle outside normal hours; these must be booked well in advance.
Tips for your stone circle day trip
- Start early: Avebury is at its most atmospheric in the morning light, and you will beat the crowds at Stonehenge later.
- Book Stonehenge in advance: timed tickets can sell out on busy days.
- Dress for the weather: both sites are exposed, open landscapes. Bring layers, waterproofs and comfortable shoes.
- Respect the monuments: do not climb on the stones or on Silbury Hill.
- Consider an alternative order: if you have booked an early Stonehenge slot, simply reverse the route and finish at Avebury.
Where to stay for exploring Wiltshire
Chippenham is a practical base for exploring Wiltshire's ancient landscapes, with easy access to the M4, the A4 towards Avebury and routes south towards Stonehenge. At The Pines, every room includes breakfast, parking is free and our restaurant serves Greek and English home cooking every evening, so you can return after a long day and relax. Choose from single, double, twin and family rooms.
More day trips from Chippenham
If you have more time, there is plenty more to explore nearby. Try a day trip to Bath, visit the National Trust village of Lacock or spend a family day at Bowood House and Gardens. Our guide to things to do in Chippenham has more ideas.
Conclusion
A day spent at Avebury and Stonehenge is one of the most memorable trips you can make from Chippenham. Walk among Avebury's giant stones in the morning, explore Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, then finish with the iconic silhouette of Stonehenge in the afternoon. Book your Stonehenge tickets early, dress for the weather and check availability at The Pines for a comfortable base.
Stay at The Pines in Chippenham
The Pines Guest Accommodation is a Victorian guest house close to Chippenham town centre and station, with single, double, twin and family rooms, breakfast included, free parking and Wi-Fi, a bar and a Greek and English restaurant. View our rooms or check availability.