Day 2 - May 29 - Wiltshire

This day promised to be a busy one, since many of the places we wanted to see were in Wiltshire. We started early, had breakfast at Kenavon, then headed for Avebury. Our first stop was Silbury Hill, which looked particularly ominous in the morning shadow. Across the road was West Kennet Long Barrow. We walked on a path quite a way through a field to get to it. I wanted to look inside, and noticed a far-off light in the passage. Walking toward it, I discovered a man sitting and meditating, periodically striking a small bell. The light came from his candles.

We left the barrow and headed for Avebury. We approached from the south on the minor B4003 road to the east of the A4361 (branching from the A4) so that we could see The Avenue, a long procession of standing stones, as we came into Avebury. We found Avebury to be a particularly pleasant small village but the main attraction is the huge stone circle and ditch which encompasses the village. We spent the morning here, and then followed the barman's suggestion of the previous night and headed for Bowood House.

Bowood is set in several acres of lovely landscaped gardens, and one could stay here for hours just wandering around the gardens. The house itself is like a museum and has many fascinating artifacts and old books. There is also a children's play area and a garden shop.

Leaving Bowood, we headed southeast to Stonehenge. We had hoped to hike on the land to the north and view the cursus and pathway but time was running short. Instead we had a nice view of the stone monument and then headed for a B&B I knew of, which was northeast of Salisbury. The Homestead is the name of the B&B and it is on a minor road off of the A30 NW of Salisbury. The road you turn off on is the small road leading to Pitton. Not very far along this road, The Homestead is on your left just as the road enters a valley. I particularly like that place, and you can stay either in a room in the main house or a room in the outdoor converted barn. The proprietors, Cliff and Joan Lodge, are good hosts. They suggested a few places nearby where we might have our supper, and after we chose the Hook and Glove in Pitton, Mr. Lodge phoned ahead for us. When we arrived, they were not only expecting us, but offered us a reserved table and a discount on our meal as well. Fine service!
By the way, something interesting occurs in Britain at this time of year. I suppose it is this way in all northern latitudes, but being from Texas we were not prepared for it. What I am referring to is the fact that it never came completely dark at night. We awoke perhaps at 2 AM and noticed it was still slightly light outside!
The Homestead is at Stockbottom, Pitton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 1SU. You can telephone them at 0980 611160.


West Kennet
Long Barrow

Silbury Hill

Avebury

Avebury

Avebury


Sonya at the
Henge Shop
in Avebury

Bowood House

Bowood House

Stonehenge

Stonehenge


Day 1London to Devizes Day 8Anglesey and Holy Island, Wales
Day 2Wiltshire Day 9Beaumaris (Anglesey) to Chester, England
Day 3Salisbury to Glastonbury Day 10Fountains Abbey
Day 4Glastonbury to Tintagel Day 11Chester's Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall
Day 5Tintern Abbey to Arthur's Stone Day 12Edinburgh, Scotland
Day 6Hay-on-Wye, Powys Wales Day 13Sherwood Forest to Oxfordshire
Day 7Carreg Cennan to Caernarfon Day 14Windsor and Windsor Great Park


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