I love Avebury! I didn’t know about it until a few years ago when my son did the annual ‘Race to the Stones’. He and his partner did the ultra marathon from where we live in Bucks to Avebury. It took them around 10-11 hours to run it! When my daughter and I were waiting for them to arrive, we had a lovely walk with our two dogs exploring the stones and the garden. A very surreal wonderful day in a mysterious place.
My dad grew up in Avebury! He'll be 80 this year and the stories he tells are like, I don't know, Thomas Hardy or Laurie Lee or something. So bonkers rural and simple. Both his parents were in service at the manor, and the family moved to Surrey when Mr Keillor did. I think he was about 10 when they moved (my dad, not Mr K)
Avebury is fab, I live near Devizes and we go there to walk the dog and mooch. One time we went in the pouring rain (small boys needing exercise) and a druid wedding was in full swing in the middle of the stones: a big circle of people in long woolen cloaks, branches on the ground being jumped over. Fascinating. Yew trees are traditionally planted in Wiltshire (and probably elsewhere too) to keep bad spirits away - I have an old yew tree right next to my house, hopefully it works.
We did feel that too, peak Avebury! If you go on the Solstice there are always lots of druids, with oak wreaths and wooden staffs and robes. Very Asterix!
Just realised my comment got eaten again but the short of it was to say thank you Laetitia for the push to visit. We have said we'll go for years and I had never realised how close we were until now! Garden sounds great too.
Beautiful place and as you say not too precious, being able to touch the stones is wonderful. Do go to nearby Silbury Hill too just as bonkers and an incredible size it just makes you feel so small, and again why was it built and does it matter? Maybe just awesome enough to make you stop and think
Loved this. It is bonkers, isn’t it? And I love the myriad ways in which Yew is grown although graveyard behemoths are my favourite. I would like a holly and yew hedge one day. And coincidentally mentioned Keiller’s marmalade making forebears in a post yesterday!
I love Avebury! I didn’t know about it until a few years ago when my son did the annual ‘Race to the Stones’. He and his partner did the ultra marathon from where we live in Bucks to Avebury. It took them around 10-11 hours to run it! When my daughter and I were waiting for them to arrive, we had a lovely walk with our two dogs exploring the stones and the garden. A very surreal wonderful day in a mysterious place.
Amazing- ten hours of running! Almost as impressive as digging a 9 metre ditch!!! X
Wow that is seriously impressive!!
My dad grew up in Avebury! He'll be 80 this year and the stories he tells are like, I don't know, Thomas Hardy or Laurie Lee or something. So bonkers rural and simple. Both his parents were in service at the manor, and the family moved to Surrey when Mr Keillor did. I think he was about 10 when they moved (my dad, not Mr K)
My goodness! Does your father remember Keillor? He sounds like an extraordinary man.
Yes! There are stories. He also has a box of random items from archaeological digs
Avebury is fab, I live near Devizes and we go there to walk the dog and mooch. One time we went in the pouring rain (small boys needing exercise) and a druid wedding was in full swing in the middle of the stones: a big circle of people in long woolen cloaks, branches on the ground being jumped over. Fascinating. Yew trees are traditionally planted in Wiltshire (and probably elsewhere too) to keep bad spirits away - I have an old yew tree right next to my house, hopefully it works.
A druid wedding in the rain is PEAK Avebury! How amazing to see that!
We did feel that too, peak Avebury! If you go on the Solstice there are always lots of druids, with oak wreaths and wooden staffs and robes. Very Asterix!
I think that might be a bit beyond me lol!
Just realised my comment got eaten again but the short of it was to say thank you Laetitia for the push to visit. We have said we'll go for years and I had never realised how close we were until now! Garden sounds great too.
I will def be back in the summer (braving the crowds!); those borders hold such promise.
Beautiful place and as you say not too precious, being able to touch the stones is wonderful. Do go to nearby Silbury Hill too just as bonkers and an incredible size it just makes you feel so small, and again why was it built and does it matter? Maybe just awesome enough to make you stop and think
Thank you for the tip - I'll put it on my list for next time. And yes, perhaps you are on to something...d we really need to know REASONS?
Avebury is one of my favourite places in the world. It's SO impressive isn't it!
It broke my brain. In a good way.
This brought back memories of visiting Avebury for the first time a few years ago. Loved it!
It really is quite an experience isn’t it!
Thank you, beautifully written - we will definitely visit.
Thank you so much Anne - how kind of you. And yes do go…it is crazy and strange and GOOD.
Loved this piece and can’t wait to visit !!!
I’m def going back in summer for the garden. 😍
Loved this. It is bonkers, isn’t it? And I love the myriad ways in which Yew is grown although graveyard behemoths are my favourite. I would like a holly and yew hedge one day. And coincidentally mentioned Keiller’s marmalade making forebears in a post yesterday!
Fantastic i need more info on the marmalade people!
They are GAFFAWING at us from up there!