Page 71 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 5: A Spiritual Journey 69

the heart of a dense area of Neolithic 5 Avebury
and Bronze Age monuments and Wiltshire; SN8 1RE
burial mounds adds to its aura of Sticking out of the earth like broken
spirituality. There is no direct access to teeth, the three concentric stone
the stones (visitors must follow a path circles of Avebury (open daily) are less
around them) but free audioguides famous than Stonehenge but far more
provide an informative commentary. accessible. Erected between 2,850 BC
ª Turn right out of the car park and and 2,200 BC, the rough-hewn stones
continue northwest along the A344 extend through the village and
and A360 to Devizes. beyond and are ringed by a huge
ditch and earth mound. The site has
suffered much over the years, and the
stones largely owe their present
appearance to Alexander Keiller, an
amateur archaeologist who excavated
and re-erected many of them in the
1930s. Other sites within walking
distance include Silbury Hill, Europe’s Above Caen Hill Locks on the Kennet and
largest man-made ancient monument, Avon Canal, Devizes
and West Kennet Long Barrow, a 100-m
(330-ft) chambered tomb mound.
ª Take the A4361 west, then take the
A4 through Calne, follow signs on to
Bowood House on the left.
Above Elegant façade of Bowood House, one of 6 Bowood House
the finest stately homes in England Calne, Wiltshire; SN11 0LZ
“Capability” Brown and Robert and
4 Devizes James Adam were among the garden
Wiltshire; SN10 1JG designers and architects who worked
This historic market town has one of on Bowood House (open Apr–Oct), a
the region’s finest main streets, graced superb stately home dating mainly
by elegant buildings from all eras. On from the 18th century. Inside are
Long Street, the Wiltshire Heritage displays of costumes, porcelain and EAT AND DRINK
Museum (closed Jan: Sun & Mon) traces Indian artistry, and the laboratory
the history of the county from earliest where Joseph Priestley discovered SALISBURY
times and has an excel lent prehistoric oxygen in 1774. There are spectacular Pheasant Inn moderate
One of Salisbury’s most historic pubs,
collection. Take an enlightening tour rhododendron walks in the grounds – the Pheasant Inn specializes in locally
of the Victorian Wadworth Brewery at their best April to June – as well as sourced steaks and real ale, as well as
(open Mon–Sat; 01380 723 361; www. grottoes and an adventure playground. offering varied snack meals.
wadworth.co.uk), on New Park Street, ª Take the exit to the A4 west, then 19 Salt Lane, SP1 1DT; 01722 421 841;
with tastings on most days. A brief south on the A342, then right at Sandy www.pheasantsalisbury.co.uk
walk west of town along the Kennet Lane for Lacock. Car park is on the left. AROUND DEVIZES
and Avon Canal leads to Caen Hill The George & Dragon moderate
Locks, an extraordinary flight of 29 Inventive modern dishes are served in
locks. The canal, which stretches for this welcoming gastro pub on the
nearly 96 km (60 miles) between A342 3.4 km (2 miles) north of Devizes.
Newbury and Bath, dates from 1810. Spicy crab risotto and game dishes are
among the specialities. It also has three
Explore the outstanding beauty of this stylish rooms for an overnight stop.
waterway on a narrowboat rented High Street, Rowde, SN10 2PN;
from Devizes Marina, north off the A361 01380 723 053;
(01380 725 300; www.devizesmarina.co.uk). www.thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk
ª Head northeast along A361, turn AROUND AVEBURY
right at a roundabout, through Horton The Waggon and Horses inexpensive
and past a white horse on the chalk hills. This large thatched inn lies 2 km
Turn left towards Marlborough, then left (1 mile) from Avebury’s monuments
for East Kennett. Turn left on the A4, then on the A4. Tuck into steaks, pies and
right onto the A4361 for Avebury. Pass traditional English dishes, as well as
curries and lasagne. There’s also a
West Kennet Avenue, a procession of Above Silbury Hill, one of several major Neolithic pleasant garden.
stones leading to Avebury. Park on site. sites close to Avebury Beckhampton, SN8 1QJ; 01672 539 418
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

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