UNESCO World Heritage Site in Berkshire: discover traces of the past in the heart of England

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Berkshire: discover traces of the past in the heart of England

April 11, 2025

Berkshire, a picturesque county in the heart of England, hides extraordinary treasures of prehistory that have fascinated scientists and tourists alike from around the world for centuries. It is here that you will find part of the UNESCO World Heritage complex of Stonehenge, Avebury and related sites, which provide extraordinary testimony to the lives and beliefs of our ancestors thousands of years ago. In this article, we will take you on a fascinating journey through time, discovering the region's most intriguing monuments that will allow you to touch history and feel the magic of ancient times. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that will take you back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, when monumental structures were built, the purpose of which still remains a mystery. Whether you are a history buff or simply looking for unusual places to visit with your family, Berkshire is sure to delight you and leave an indelible impression.

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Stonehenge - an icon of prehistory

Our journey through Berkshire's UNESCO World Heritage Site begins with the world's most recognizable prehistoric monument - Stonehenge. This mysterious megalithic circle, built some 5,000 years ago, continues to fascinate and intrigue scientists and tourists alike from around the world. Stonehenge (slug: stonehenge-9fdbb10ecd) is not only an impressive monument, but also a symbol of human ingenuity and determination.

Stonehenge consists of huge stones arranged in concentric circles, the largest of which weigh more than 40 tons. According to visitor reviews, the site is very impressive not only for its size, but also for the atmosphere of mystery that surrounds it. One tourist wrote: 'We were at the right time, in the evening, without crowds. It's impressive especially when you think how much those stones are standing there!

To fully appreciate Stonehenge, it is advisable to plan a visit in the early morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer tourists. As another visitor advises: 'It's best to arrive here in the morning. When there are still no crowds and there is somewhere to park. It's also worth remembering to book your ticket in advance, especially during the summer season.

Stonehenge offers not only the opportunity to admire the monument itself, but also a well-equipped visitor center with an interactive exhibit that takes a look at the history and significance of the site. As one visitor notes: 'An interesting exhibition dedicated to Churchill, who was born here. After the tour you can enjoy refreshments in several places.''

It is worth remembering that due to the monument's protection, direct access to the stones is limited. However, even viewing them from a short distance is very impressive. As one tourist summarizes: 'A must-visit place, it makes an incredible impression. (...) I also recommend taking something warm. We probably experienced all seasons.'

Avebury - the the largest prehistoric stone circle in Europe

After visiting Stonehenge, the next remarkable site on our Berkshire World Heritage tour is Avebury (slug: avebury-a87a5aaad1). This is a unique archaeological site that, unlike Stonehenge, allows direct contact with prehistoric megaliths.

Avebury is the largest prehistoric stone circle in Europe, surrounding the picturesque village of the same name. The complex consists of a huge earthen rampart and moat, inside of which are three stone circles. The largest of them is more than 330 meters in diameter and originally consisted of about 100 huge boulders.

Many visitors emphasize the unique atmosphere of the place. As one tourist notes: 'A magnificent and magical place. Beautiful views, you can really relax and take a break from everything. Another adds, 'Avebury, a charming little town with a huge historical treasure! Huge stone circles, much bigger and older than the one at Stone Hange, it's like comparing a parish church to a cathedral!

One of the greatest advantages of Avebury is the ability to move freely among the stones and touch them. As one visitor describes: 'Unlike Stone Hange, the stones can be approached, touched, and you can feel the cosmic energy, if any.' This makes the site particularly appealing to families with children, who can experience history directly here.

The surrounding nature and picturesque landscapes are also worth noting. One visitor notes, 'Also unusual are the trees, which I call druid trees. The roots of these trees make an amazing impression!

There is also an interesting museum near the stone circles, which takes a look at the history of the site and displays archaeological finds from the area. In addition, in the village of Avebury itself you can find a cozy pub and a souvenir store.

It is worth planning at least a couple of hours, and preferably a whole day, to visit Avebury. As one tourist advises: 'If you want to feel magical this is a good place for you!'

Exploring the mysteries of Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow

Our journey through the Berkshire World Heritage Site would not be complete without a visit to two fascinating sites: Silbury Hill (slug: silbury-hill-687538d1a2) and West Kennet Long Barrow (slug: west-kennet-long-barrow-ee81f2ac49). These prehistoric monuments, while less well-known than Stonehenge or Avebury, are equally intriguing and important to understanding the lives of our ancestors.

Silbury Hill is the largest prehistoric mound in Europe, built some 4,600 years ago. Its height reaches 40 meters, and the diameter of the base is 167 meters. Fascinatingly, the mound was raised entirely by man, without the use of any machinery. As one visitor notes: 'It's absolutely inspiring to think about the amount of manual labor required to create this, all with primitive hand tools.'

Although you can't climb the mound itself, the view from the nearby A4 road is impressive. Many tourists insist that seeing Silbury Hill with their own eyes is an unforgettable experience. As one of them writes: 'I visited the Avebury stones and then approached the mound on foot from West Kennet Avenue and it was a stunning walk. A truly impressive, surreal experience to see this monument of great historical significance in the landscape.''

Just a few minutes' walk from Silbury Hill is the West Kennet Long Barrow, one of the best-preserved corridor tombs in Britain. Built around 3600 BC, this impressive monument is 100 meters long and consists of a burial chamber and a long corridor.

Unlike Silbury Hill, the West Kennet Long Barrow can be entered and its interior explored. As one visitor describes: 'Cool that you can go in and see a piece of what it looked like it's really worth seeing the place.' Another adds, "Touching and going inside a man-made structure so very, very long ago gives you a sense of the transience of human life like nothing else I've experienced.

It is advisable to plan a visit to these sites early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and enjoy the tranquility. As one tourist advises: 'A beautiful place with great views. When we visited, the walk from the road was a bit muddy, so I recommend wearing good shoes.''

To conclude our trip, it's worth mentioning West Kennet Avenue (slug: west-kennet-avenue-2083949126), a prehistoric avenue that connects Avebury to other sights in the area. As one visitor describes: 'The avenue is flanked by rows of standing stones, offering great views of the surrounding area.' It's the perfect place for a leisurely stroll to connect all the places we've visited and ponder the mysteries that still hide these remarkable monuments.

In conclusion, Berkshire's World Heritage Sites are not just individual monuments, but an entire cultural landscape that allows us to immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of our ancestors. Each of these sites has its own unique atmosphere and history, but together they form a remarkable story about the lives, beliefs and skills of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Whether you are passionate about history or simply looking for unusual places to visit with your family, Berkshire is sure to delight you and leave an indelible impression.

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