Silbury Hill 180
Image by Mr Hamhead

nigelswift wrote:
I think a perimeter path further back would create the same sense of alienation from the monument as people feel at Stonehenge. One within touching distance would satisfy a need to be involved with it I'd have thought. To the extent there might even be no need for a fence. Wouldn't that be a revelation!
Totally agree, pointless to put in a perimeter path that still creates a feeling of distance.

When I view Silbury from the road, I get the feeling I want to be nearer.
People can still view from a distance if they prefer, to get the 'classic' view, but I think most would also love to get right up close to it, within touching distance.
I really think it would go a long way to making people feel they don't have to climb it.

Evergreen Dazed wrote:
Totally agree, pointless to put in a perimeter path that still creates a feeling of distance.
I'm not so sure. I always feel Silbury Hill is quite a difficult monument to engage with, and the idea of a circular path at a distance really appeals. At the moment, there's no real access, and no way to approach the monument. I think if you provide people with SOME way of approaching it and interacting with it, it will reduce the perceived need for climbing the hill. But this is all speculative, and we'll never really know what approach is the best one until something is actually tried.