Windmill Hill Enclosure

Heritage Site in Wiltshire

England

Windmill Hill Enclosure

Avebury, dovecote Internal niches still intact, though not obviously occupied, but pigeons appear still to use the building. Mid C16, listed by English Heritage: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=311455&amp;mode=adv" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=311455&amp;mode=adv">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> — Avebury, dovecote Credit: Mike Faherty

Windmill Hill Enclosure is a prehistoric site located in Wiltshire, England. It is considered one of the most important Neolithic enclosures in the country and is a designated heritage site. The site is situated on a prominent hilltop, providing commanding views of the surrounding landscape.

The enclosure dates back to around 4,500 years ago, during the late Neolithic period, and covers an area of approximately 2.4 hectares. It is defined by a series of earthworks, consisting of a circular bank and ditch. The bank is around 6 meters wide and the ditch is approximately 2 meters deep. The overall diameter of the enclosure is about 180 meters.

Excavations at Windmill Hill Enclosure have revealed evidence of human activity, including the presence of numerous pits and postholes. These features suggest that the site was used for a variety of purposes, such as agriculture, ritual ceremonies, and communal gatherings. Archaeologists have also found pottery fragments and flint tools, indicating that the site was occupied for a considerable period of time.

The significance of Windmill Hill Enclosure lies in its role as a social and cultural hub during the Neolithic period. The site's strategic location and commanding views would have made it an important gathering place for the surrounding communities. It is believed that the enclosure played a central role in the religious and ceremonial practices of the time.

Today, Windmill Hill Enclosure is open to the public and provides visitors with a glimpse into the lives of our Neolithic ancestors. The site offers stunning panoramic views of the Wiltshire countryside and serves as a testament to the rich history of the area.

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Windmill Hill Enclosure Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.442/-1.878 or Grid Reference SU0871. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Avebury, dovecote

Internal niches still intact, though not obviously occupied, but pigeons appear still to use the building. Mid C16, listed by English Heritage: Link

Mike Faherty

Wesleyan Chapel, Yatesbury

This Wesleyan chapel was built in 1839, but from 1871 became a Baptist mission room - see Link

. It is marked on the 1886 map as Baptist Chapel (General) and on the 1900 and 1924 maps as Mission Room.

Vieve Forward

Bridlepath leading to Windmill Hill

Windmill Hill Neolithic causewayed enclosure can be seen at the end of the bridleway in the distance, with the later round barrow on its summit.

Vieve Forward

Avebury - Behind The Museum

Even at half past one in the afternoon the frost is still on the ground behind the meuseum.

Chris Talbot

View east from inside the ground floor, Avebury Manor

This is a view out over the relatively informal front garden of the manor.

Brian Robert Marshall

Inside the kitchen, Avebury Manor

Part of the ethos behind the current presentation of the Manor to its visitors is to show it as it might have looked when in its 20th century heyday when owned by its most famous occupier, Alexander Keiller. An amusing detail is this pile of dirty washing-up.

Brian Robert Marshall

Alexander Keiller's sitting room, Avebury Manor

The room has been restored to the appearance it may have had in the 1930s when Alexander Keiller was lord of the manor. In fact none of the furniture and artefacts were here in his day. They were sourced by the BBC and National Trust from wherever they could be found as part of the 'Manor Reborn' project of 2011.

Brian Robert Marshall

Avebury Manor Driveway

Gareth James

Avenue of lime trees at Avebury Manor

Rod Allday

Owl Cottage, Winterbourne Monkton

Des Blenkinsopp

River Kennet in Winterbourne Monkton

The river is looking very healthy just now after heavy winter rain. However, as "winterbourne" in the village name suggests, in this upper section there can be long periods when there is no water here at all, sometimes down as far as Marlborough.

Des Blenkinsopp

Tombs and a House behind the Church

Des Blenkinsopp

The Kennet at Winterbourne Monkton

The same view as this one from 4 years ago SU0971 : The upper Kennet at Winterbourne Monkton 1. A bit more water this year, but not that much considering how wet it's been.

Des Blenkinsopp