Rhiannon,
Lansdown felt special to me when a few of us drove the long way down from the north to see friends who moved there (Twerton). From M4, junction 18, we took a right at Dyrham Park, as a short-cut into Bath, passing over Lansdown. We did it many times after, and it was always the highlight of the journey, because it felt and looked right. We knew nothing of it's history then.
The only similar feeling I (and we) felt was when travelling from Bath to Avebury, via Devizes. Just before Bishop's Canning Down the same feeling overcame me, and others. The thing was we didn't discuss it until weeks later, most of us too embarrassed to own up to it. The overwhelming feeling was of surprise about our collective similar feelings about both places. We were honestly shocked about our similar experiences. It was one of being in a special, ancient place.
I'm not one for mystic shite, or owt like that, but there was a definite feeling in those places.
Most of us have never experienced any such similar strong, collective feelings about any other places, such as Stonehenge, Castlerigg, or any of the remote and atmospheric places we've visited.
Induvidually we've all had similar feelings elsewhere, but we all have different, individual feelings about other places.
Do you think the Avebury downs have the same "feel", or is the atmosphere of Lansdown unique in your experience? Does anyone else have a similar experience?
Regards,
TE.