Lesser Known Ancient Sites in Wiltshire

Wiltshire is home to some of the most impressive ancient sites in England. Some of them are well known and attract thousands of visitors every year. But there are also some lesser known sites that are worth a closer look.

LANHILL LONG BARROW

Lanhill Long Barrow also known as Hubba's Low, is a Neolithic chambered long barrow constructed about 5,000 years ago. Evidence suggests that the barrow had three burial chambers, but only one survives. Unfortunately much of the barrow was destroyed by farmers over the last centuries. It was once included among the most important antiquities in Wiltshire. The barrow was partially excavated in 1909. Several human skeletons were found in the chambers.

COATE STONE CIRCLE

Coate Stone Circle is a partly visible stone circle containing five recumbent sarsen stones. Based on his observations in the 1890s, the antiquarian A. D. Passmore suggested that the circle would have once contained over thirty stones. He recorded nine stones surviving as part of the circle, but by the 21st century there were only five. Passmore also recorded a line of five stones leading towards the circle, which might have represented an avenue similar to West Kennet Avenue in Avebury. It's believed that the Coate Stone Circle could have had connections with Avebury Stone Circles and Stonehenge, but there is no evidence to support this theory.

ADAM AND EVE STONES

Adam and Eve Stones also known as Beckhampton Longstones are two large standing stones which are the only visible remains of Longstones Cove and Beckhampton Avenue. Adam is the larger of the two stones and along with three others formed a four-sided cove known as Longstones Cove which was also part of the Beckhampton Avenue. Unfortunately, the other stones were destroyed in the post-medieval period by a landowner. Adam stone fell over in 1911 and was re-erected in 1912. Adam and Eve Stones are all that is known to survive of the Beckhampton Avenue which was a major ceremonial avenue of standing stones. It's believed that this avenue was connected to Avebury Henge, but there is no evidence to support this theory.

LUGBURY LONG BARROW

Lugbury Long Barrow is a Neolithic chambered tomb constructed and used between 4000 and 3000 BC. The remains of a limestone chamber consisting of a capstone leaning against two large standing stones can be found at the eastern end of the mound. The monument was partially excavated on two separate occasions and finds included several skeletons in four limestone chambers.

FYFIELD DOWN HOLED STONE

Holed Stones are rare Neolithic monuments with a naturally occurring hole running through it. The purpose of the Holed Stone at Fyfield Down is something of an enigma. It's believed that the stone was considered to be sacred by the Neolithic people that lived in the area. The holed stone is located in the same area as the Polisher Stone, which suggests that they were part of the same ancient village or settlement.

FALKNER'S STONE

Falkner's Circle was a stone circle consisting of twelve sarsen stones. Nowadays, only one of these stones remains standing in a field. The other stones have been destroyed due to the expansion of intensive farming in the local area. The grey sarsen stones used at Falkner's Circle were of the same type used in the Avebury Stone Circles and West Kennet Avenue.

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