I went with my parents a month or two ago in the week, and it was beautifully quiet. Just a few people wandering around and a few outside the cafe. We practically had the place to ourselves. It didn't seem like a crack den, just a nice Wiltshire village. Don't believe the hype. It might be swarming with part-time druids and motorcyclists at the weekends but hey isn't everywhere. I always avoid anywhere wellknown like the plague on pagan high days and holidays, all that drumming and ceremony brings me out in a rash.

>pay-and-display car parks (you know its only a matter of time)
Already here!
The NT installed machines in the main car park last year.
Best times to visit are early morning during the week.
Avoid wednesday evenings as it is biker night at the Red Lion.

Totally agree with everything you wrote...
Ditto Stonehenge - haven't been to either for years and don't intend to

The last time I was wondering around there was at about 8am with a then bearded bloke this time last year. That was a Saturday morning and there were only a few dog walkers around. Very quiet and peaceful. Early morning seems to be best. We drove back past West Kennett around 9am and the car park for the barrow was heaving. At 8 it was empty.

Poor Avebury - the reasons? Too many people playing at being "trendy". The "Look at me, I'm alternative" shite. Pretending to be hippies, pretending to "understand" the "old religion". Look at 'em all "Oooooh, aren't I mystic, I went to West Kennet and lit a tea light."
They don't understand what is classed as prehistory. They just want to be hip. Any interest in real archaeology? I doubt it.
Following each other like sheep, just so typical of todays society.
Tired of your mobile? Get a f*ckin' life, it's only a phone.
Sad and bitterly twistedly yours,
TE.

"what ever has happened to avebury?"

Shortest answer is: people

They always seem to cock things up for all of us!

Grumble--mutter.

what ever has happened to avebury?.....The human race happened to Avebury, A race that has bred like rats and now poisons the planet

Do you suppose people were moaning about the same things thousands of years ago? "There are too many bloody daytrippers... People not respecting the stones... Roast venison stall stinking the place out..." It's such a big area, could it really have been kept free of people who weren't priestly types and taking the rituals seriously?

Just being flippant. Can't possibly know what went on in people's heads at the time. Which is probably why (whether I like it or not) anyone's take on / use of the site today is fair enough (bar vandalism) - without being all postmodernist about it and still being able to laugh at people wearing sheets.

>...is it my imagination or has Avebury completely changed over the last few years?<

Avebury hasn't changed that much over the years - though if it has I'd say it's improved. While the stones and the village have stayed much the same things like accommodation, and the food and beer at the Red Lion, are a hell of a lot better than they were forty-odd years ago (and the Stones Restaurant provides a pretty good vegetarian alternative to pub fare). Sure there are many more visitors to Avebury than there were before but that's to be expected at a World Heritage Site. If you go there on most winter days there's hardly a soul to be seen. Be there at five in the morning on a summer's day and not even the birds are up - you'll have the place to yourself and all the mist and mystery you could ever wish for.