West Kennet Long Barrow Archaeological Site
Neolithic long barrow and chambered tomb near Avebury
West Kennet Long Barrow near Avebury is a Neolithic passage tomb with an intact chamber you can enter; antiquarians, archaeologists and walkers visit for prehistoric burial architecture and proximity to the stone circles.
West Kennet Long Barrow at a Glance#
Address: West Kennet Long Barrow, near Avebury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Hours: Open during daylight hours (managed by National Trust)
Admission: Free (National Trust site)
About West Kennet Long Barrow#
West Kennet Long Barrow is a Neolithic chambered long barrow on the Marlborough Downs near the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, England, built around 3650 BC. It is one of the largest surviving long barrows in Britain.
The monument consists of an elongated earthen mound roughly 100 metres long with a stone-built burial chamber set into its eastern end; the chamber contains several internal compartments formed by upright stones. The site is accessible on foot and is often visited together with the nearby Avebury stone circle and other prehistoric features in the same landscape.
The long barrow was constructed by early farming communities in the Neolithic for collective burial and ancestral ritual use, and it was reused and altered in later prehistoric periods. Antiquarian and archaeological investigations have exposed the internal stonework and recovered human remains and artefacts, which have informed understanding of Neolithic burial practice.
The site sits on the Marlborough Downs in central Wiltshire, within the wider Avebury prehistoric landscape. It is immediately adjacent to rural lanes and farmland and is reached from the village of Avebury.
- Size and structure: The mound measures roughly 100 metres in length and contains a stone-built burial chamber with multiple compartments.
- Context: Forms part of the Avebury prehistoric landscape and World Heritage Site.
How to Get to West Kennet Long Barrow#
Duplicate entry-see above.
Tips for Visiting West Kennet Long Barrow#
- Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for the shafts of light in the tomb's chambers and fewer people.
- Bring a torch for interior exploration during guided visits-lighting inside is minimal.
- Combine with a walk along the nearby Avebury stone circle and Overton Hill for a connected prehistoric day.
Best Time to Visit West Kennet Long Barrow#
Spring and autumn provide a balance of weather and lighter visitor numbers; summer is busiest.
Weather & Climate near West Kennet Long Barrow#
West Kennet Long Barrow's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (723 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 74 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 51 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 59 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 46 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 52 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 56 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 46 mm | overcast | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 57 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 66 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 67 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 71 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 78 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
