thesweetcheat

Zoom to highlight the low remains of the single rampart.

The low remains of the single rampart can just be seen when viewed from the NW.

From the east there is little to indicate the presence of an enclosure.

The bigger holes were full of water, leaving just this one. Pucker up now...

The stone in its domestic setting, with box of leaflets.

The Herepath trackway cuts through Avebury Down between the barrow groups.

Avebury 35, not as impressive as its neighbours to the north.

The easternmost barrow in the group, Avebury 40.

Avebury 39 round barrow.

The very substantial Avebury 39 round barrow.

Avebury 38 bowl barrow, more easily seen from the north.

Avebury 38 bowl barrow, from the south.

Avebury 37 bowl barrow, now situated inside a nature reserve.

Avebury 37 bowl barrow at SU11257097, with Avebury 38 beyond.

Avebury 36 bell barrow at SU1105770927.

Avebury 36 bell barrow, looking SW towards Morgan’s Hill and the trees on Furze Knoll.

Looking NE towards Monkton Down, another site with plentiful round barrows.

Looking SW into the low winter sun. There is a terrific group of round barrows (Avebury Down) in the trees.

Looking ESE towards the Ridgeway on Overton Down.

Coming with no prior knowledge, this site took me completely aback.

Landscape context – Monkton Down seen from the south. The linear barrow group is prominent on top of the ridge, between the two clumps of trees. The saucer barrow is at the foot of the slope on the left. The Ridgeway crosses the top of the hill on the far right.

Looking across the saucer barrow towards Cherhill.

Detail of the saucer barrow.

The big saucer barrow at SU1176472347, below the SW slopes of the Down. The moles have helpfully picked out the ditch.

The round barrow on the western slope at SU1169472575. There is still a visible ditch around the low mound.

Bowl barrow halfway down the western slope of the Down at SU1169472575.

The hollowed top of the finest of the linear group on top of the Down. When excavated in 1921 finds included a cremation burial in a large upturned urn.

The fine barrow at SU11977269, looking WSW towards Cherhill on the skyline.

Very decent round barrow on top of Monkton Down, one of a linear group of five. The others sadly don’t survive to anywhere near the same height.

Tatty but useful map of Monkton Down, showing the various round barrows and the extent of Permissive Access (purple) and CROW Access (yellow).

Looking southwest. Cherhill rises on the skyline.

Looking north, under some fine cirrus.

Looking east with Berwick Bassett Down rising behind.

The northern end of the Avenue, with the henge bank rising beyond.

Looking towards Monkton Down and Avebury Down Barn, where there are loads of fine round barrows.

Natural bowl in the top of the surviving stone.

There is a sizable dumped stone next to the survivor. Field clearance, or removed from the circle?

This is the time of year to come, no crops, no nettles.

The Avenue Polisher. Is it of significance that the Avenue changes course at this section?

Lengthening shadows on the avenue. The remains of Falkner’s Circle can be seen between the two stones, next to the hedge line.

The Bison Stone, on a beautiful February afternoon.

Bishops Cannings 26 round barrow, looking WSW with Furze Knoll on the left skyline.

Plough-damaged Bishops Cannings 26 round barrow (SU06716801).

Beckhampton Firs long barrow, with a plough-reduced round barrow beyond. Seen from the north.

The very reduced Beckhampton Firs long barrow. Along with the surrounding round barrows, the monuments to the south of the A361 have survived far less well than the magnificent groups to the north.

Three Barrows – the eastern barrow.

Three Barrows – the central barrow. There is a further low, oval mound between the western and central barrows, which may also have been a barrow but rather spoils the name.

Three Barrows – centre.