Page 2
This page describes the south quadrants of the henge.
The Red Lion, High Street, North West Quadrant, North East Quadrant
The Red Lion
The Red Lion is located within the Avebury henge, and was first licensed in 1802. It is famous for its 26 metre (85 ft) deep well which dates back to the 1600's. The Well Room is named after Alexander Keiller who excavated the ancient stone circle surrounding the pub. The pub has a fine restaurant and provides excellent meals. Food can also be delivered outside the pub to the wooden benches.
Those with interests in ghost hunting might want to give the Red Lion a visit. This building also dating from the 17th century, has had numerous visits from ghost hunting groups including the Most Haunted team which described that there were at least four ghosts on the premises including two playful children. The most famous ghost concerns a tale of a Cavalier husband and an unfaithful wife. Florence nicknamed Florrie, was murdered by her jealous husband on hearing rumors of his unfaithful wife on returning from the English Civil War (1642-1651).
Several times over the year, modern day Druid groups focus at the pub. On these days there's an eruption of splendid colours from the gowns and cloaks that they ware. Some of the Druid Priests also carry six feet golden staffs. However, these get-togethers are treated as fun day outs. I personally heard one man in a brightly covered Druid gown tell another, that although he felt a little silly, the wife had promised him a couple of pints if he wore it on the day.
Outside the Red Lion, there are bus stops to take you to either Swindon or Devizes in the opposite direction. From both places, the journey takes about 30 minutes to reach Avebury. 120 metres (400 ft) away from the pub, there's a signpost for the National Trust Car Park which is accessible by a footpath. While, if travelling by car, follow the road around from the pub, and you can find the car park within
a few minutes. However, I advise you to come early in the Summer months.
High Street
There are several shops in the High Street were you can by trinkets, gifts based on Avebury, books on Avebury, and refreshments.
From the photograph of the Red Lion above, walk westward until you locate the sign which points you to the North West Quadrant.
North West Quadrant
Once you have climbed the wooden stepped platform and passed through the gate, you can see seven Sarsen stones, the seventh is missing, but marked by a concrete post.
Follow the stones around to the last stone in the quadrant, the Swindon Stone.
Also take a closer look at the henge ditch and imagine it as newly dug, but be careful and do not slip in!
Guided tours run throughout the year.
Finally you reach the Swindon Stone.
Follow the path from the Swindon Stone alongside the road.
Before crossing over the road to the North East Quadrant at the gate, take one last sweeping look at the North West Quadrant.
North East Quadrant
There are two gates to pass through on each side of the road. Once you have crossed the road, you can see the Adam an Eve sarsen
stones. These are set at a 60 degrees angle; there was originally another sarsen stone standing in a U-shape. The remaining stones
are set in concrete to stabilize them. These stones formed the Cove, and was surrounded by the northern circle, which originally
consisted of 27 stones.
This sector has few stones to be seen today, but once contained the bulk of them. This is the one area that has not been excavated extensively, because the farmers and religious people opposed to pagan worship did the most damage.
You can follow the henge bank around to the South East Quadrant.
You can walk on the top of the bank all the way around.
Alternatively, follow the inner path across the quadrant.
Finally arrive at the gates dividing the North East Quadrant and South East Quadrant.