Aerial photo of The Sanctuary. Credit Historic England
Illustration of The Sanctuary in prehistoric times. Credit Historic England

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Begun in about 2500 BC, The Sanctuary was originally a complex circular arrangement of timber posts and standing stones. The Sanctuary was once connected to the stone circle at Avebury by an avenue of stones, part of which is now known as 'West Kennett Avenue'.

Today, concrete markers show where the stones and posts once stood.

The site lies adjacent to the A4, opposite the Ridgeway parking area at Overton Hill. There is a permissive footpath from The Sanctuary to West Kennett.

The site is free to visit and open at all times. It is managed by the National Trust on behalf of English Heritage.

Discover more about The Sanctuary through the Ridgeway Top 50 Sarsen Stones, Famous Archaeologists and Druids and Paganism.

Image credits: Historic England.

Attraction details

Website
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/the-sanctuary/
Address
The Sanctuary, adjacent to the A4, east of West Kennett, Wiltshire SN8 1EY