The southernmost surviving length. View from the north.
A substantial double row (or avenue) measuring 2500m long, originally including around 200 large-sized stones forming part of the Avebury ritual complex. The row is orientated north west to south east and leads between Avebury Henge and concentric stone circle known as The Sanctuary. A number of landscape reveals are known to exist along its length and there are large numbers of prehistoric sites in the vicinity.
Location
| England | Wiltshire | Rest of England | SU 1032 6975 |
| Lat 51.4266585 Long -1.852898365 | |||
Map showing the location of West Kennet Avenue.
Simplified plan of the West Kennet stone alignment. (Source: Stonehenge-Avebury.net and Google Earth).
Characteristics
| Type: Double | Length: 2500m |
| No. of stones: 200 | Size of stones: Only large |
| Orientation: 138° | Altitude: 161m |
| Upper end: Stone circle | Lower end: Henge and stone circle |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: Ritual landscape | |
| Notes: Reveals abound as one walks along this row through a particulary rich prehistoric landscape. Various cairns and other monuments appear and disappear throughout the length of the alignment. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: World Heritage Site |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type D11. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
Southern length of the best preserved section. View from the north.
Eastern side of the row. View from the north.
Looking northward along the row. Avebury henge is hidden from view behind the rising ground. View from south.
Looking northward along the row.
Looking northward along the row. Avebury is hidden by the rising ground.
The sinuous character of the row as it ascends the ridge south of Avebury is clearly apparent.
In common with many rows the West Kennet alignment is far from straight.
View from The Sanctuary of the alignment leading up the ridge towards Avebury. Windmill Hill barrows are clearly visible on the skyline.
On reaching the brow of the ridge first Windmill Hill and then Avebury are revealed.
The barrows on Windmill Hill are revealed on the sky line just before the ridge of the brow is reached.
The concentric stone circle known as The Sanctuary at the southern end of the alignment.
The Sanctuary at the southern end of the alignment. View from east.
Access Information
Car parking is provided at a price at SU 09959 69653, but access to the stone circles, henge and stone row is free. From the car park head into the village and make your way to the southern gap in the henge. Carefully cross the road and the first stones of the row can be seen standing beside the road.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian PastScape Avebury
National Trust Digital Avebury
Other References
Burl, A., 1993, From Carnac to Callanish – The prehistoric rows and avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, Yale University Press, New York and London, pg. 217.
Timeline
VISITED:- 7th August 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 12th February 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 19th August 2020
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 
