The Great Stones Way. Steve Davison

      

      THE GREAT STONES WAY

      by Steve Davison

      2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      About the Author

      Steve Davison is a freelance writer and photographer who has lived in Berkshire for over 25 years. He has written several guidebooks, as well as articles for a number of outdoor magazines and national and local newspapers, specialising in hill walking and UK and European travel, with interests in nature, geology and the countryside. A keen hill walker for many years and a Mountain Leader, Steve has also worked as a part-time outdoor education instructor. He is also a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild. Find out more about him at www.steve-davison.co.uk.

      Other Cicerone guides by the author

      Walking in the Chilterns

      The Kennet and Avon Canal

      Walking in the New Forest

      Walking in the North Wessex Downs

      The Ridgeway National Trail

      Walking in the Thames Valley

      © Steve Davison 2016

      Second edition 2016

      ISBN: 978 1 85284 911 5

      First edition 2014

      Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

       © Crown copyright 2016 OS PU100012932

      With thanks to Ian Ritchie and Jeff Goddard from The Friends of The Ridgeway, for their help in checking the accuracy of this guide.

      Updates to this Guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/911/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.

      Front cover: The iconic stone circle at Stonehenge (Stage 5, Stonehenge loop)

      CONTENTS

       Map key

       Overview map

       Introduction

       The Great Stones Way

       History

       Geology and nature

       Planning your walk

       Getting to and from the Way

       When to walk

       Where to stay

       Food and drink

       Waymarking, access and rights of way

       Using this guide

       The Great Stones Way

       Stage 1 Coate Water to Barbury Castle

       Stage 2 Barbury Castle to Overton Hill

       Stage 3 Overton Hill to Casterley Camp

       Stage 4 Casterley Camp to Netheravon

       Stage 5 Netheravon to Great Durnford

       Stage 6 Great Durnford to Old Sarum (or Salisbury)

       Appendix A Route summary table

       Appendix B Useful contact information

       Appendix C Itinerary planner

       Appendix D Accommodation near the route

      Sarsen stones in the stone circle at Avebury (Stage 2, Avebury loop)

INTRODUCTION

      West Kennett Long Barrow – one of the largest Neolithic chambered tombs in Britain (Stage 2, Avebury loop)

      Five thousand years ago, the rolling chalk landscape of Wiltshire between Swindon and Salisbury was, for more than a millennium, a scene of frenzied building work. Tracing a route through these now-peaceful downs and linking the greatest of England’s prehistoric sites – Avebury and Stonehenge – the Great Stones Way takes you on a journey through this prehistoric landscape, passing Neolithic henges and stone circles, Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age hill forts. But that’s not all, there are also ancient churches and the majestic medieval cathedral at Salisbury to visit along the way, as well as far-reaching views, tranquil riverside scenes, picturesque villages and cosy pubs to enjoy.

      Take your time and enjoy the journey. Rest a while, listen to the sounds of the countryside around you, admire the views and imagine why our ancestors built these magnificent treasures.

      This guidebook provides all the information needed to follow the Great Stones Way. Whether you do one continuous walk, or prefer to spread the pleasure over several visits, you are sure to enjoy your journey along this exciting and historic route.

The Great Stones Way

      The