Amesbury

About

A small town close to Stonehenge (2 miles) and Woodhenge (1.5 miles), historic Amesbury is an attractive town sitting on the River Avon.

With free parking, two coach spaces, its own weekly market, a breath taking museum housing one of Britain's largest mesolithic collection and an amazing story, hotels, bed and breakfasts, independent shops, restaurants and inns - the town is a great stopping point for travellers and visitors to Stonehenge and south Wiltshire.

The town also offers one of the most convenient places to stop on the A303, being some 75 miles from London and the home of Stonehenge.

To the south of the town lies Archers Gate, named after the Amesbury Archer who was found near there. A sculpture depicting the Archer stands in the arcade at Archers Gate and an incredible town mosaic can be seen, telling the story of Amesbury.

At Solstice Park you can also see the mighty Ancestor, representing 10,000 years of life in the town.

The town offers many interesting walks both in the Stonehenge Landscape and close to the River Avon.

Guides to these walks and information on other activities in and around the town can be found in the Community & Visitor Centre.

Stonehenge is of course the closest attraction to Amesbury and the 2 mile walk across the historic landscape is both invigorating and interesting.

Just to the north is Woodhenge – a neolithic site which was first recognised through aerial photographs taken in 1925 is an equally interesting site to visit.

Closer to the town is Lords Walk which gives you a combined unique view of the River Avon as well as a walk down the old Lime Tree way leading to the Abbey.

Visit the church where is housed a clock that is believed to have been built in the 15th Century for the Benedictine Abbey.

Originally, it had neither hands nor a dial - its sole purpose was to herald the times of worship by announcing the hour and see the story of Queen Eleanor of Provence, who died and was buried here in 1291.