Silbury Hill
Silbury Hill
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
309 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
128
Average
63
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK6,113 contributions
May 2021
Not really well known, which is surprising as it is near the famous Stonehenge and is the tallest prehistoric manmade mound in Europe at close the 40 metres tall. Without people or a cow to give size perspective in the photograph it is difficult to appreciate the size, but it does stand out from its surroundings such as background large trees and then you appreciate the immense nature of building this 2500 years ago. There is a car park on the A4 immediately adjacent to the site for a close up view or for panoramic the A4361 Beckhampton road but there is no parking along that stretch. Viewing only, no walking on the mound obviously due to the erosion that would be caused. Close to Avebury Henge and Stone Circles 3km away.
Written June 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Klodder
Royal Wootton Bassett, UK30 contributions
Oct 2020
Truly stunning and moving place - recommend 'On Silbury Hill' by Adam Thorpe to give you a real flavour off what to expect or a reflection after your visit. We live locally, but each time we visit or see a new view of Silbury from a walk it is like a new experience. Incredible to think about the ancient people who created this special hill all those years ago. Take a while to consider and imagine......
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
emma c
Wiltshire, UK75 contributions
Apr 2021
This was an interesting place to visit. There are some lovely walks around the Hill but also great views of Silbury Hill from many different points.
I would recommend having a look online for some information about the Hill before you go or after you get back because there are some really interesting facts and folk law involving the Hill.
Its a mysterious but interesting place to visit
I would recommend having a look online for some information about the Hill before you go or after you get back because there are some really interesting facts and folk law involving the Hill.
Its a mysterious but interesting place to visit
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bill N
Huddersfield, UK55 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We came across Silbury Hill quite by accident when we became lost on our way to Avebury. Must have been pure synchronicity as this is the most amazing place.
Easily observed from a lay-by on the adjacent road.
Pictures do not do this place justice.
Rises majestically from the totally flat landscape in a completely unnatural way. Looks otherworldly.
Amazing to think this is the highest prehistoric man made mound in Europe.
Created with no metal tools around 2400 BC. Calculated it took 18 million man hours to create. Equivalent to 500 people working full time for 15 years.
Totally amazing & a must visit.
Easily observed from a lay-by on the adjacent road.
Pictures do not do this place justice.
Rises majestically from the totally flat landscape in a completely unnatural way. Looks otherworldly.
Amazing to think this is the highest prehistoric man made mound in Europe.
Created with no metal tools around 2400 BC. Calculated it took 18 million man hours to create. Equivalent to 500 people working full time for 15 years.
Totally amazing & a must visit.
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GAlsager
Alsager, UK685 contributions
Aug 2021
Another amazing site around Avebury. It's difficult to imagine the time and effort that went into making this hill and what inspired that investment so it's a spectacular site.
Access is relatively limited now, with a car park close by providing access to a viewing area but you can't get right up to the hill. Worth taking a few minutes to see.
Access is relatively limited now, with a car park close by providing access to a viewing area but you can't get right up to the hill. Worth taking a few minutes to see.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marian B
Bratislava, Slovakia1,229 contributions
May 2019
first what you need to know, is that around this monument is a fence. We cannot entry to this hill. We can observe it from outside. Despite this limitation worth to visit this unusual monument built we dont know why and when. Its located close to most famous Avebury. I took a walk from Avebury circles and it took me around hour of slow walk.
Written April 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mabel-the-Westie
Wiltshire, UK213 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Stopped here for a bite to eat in our small campervan on the way back from our short break away. Car park has nice shaded area underneath trees. A short, flat walk to the viewpoint with an information sign about the hill and it’s history. Lovely spot for a picnic or to stretch your legs.
There is also a nice walk and views of the hill from nearby West Kennet Longbarrow and that’s worth a stop too.
There is also a nice walk and views of the hill from nearby West Kennet Longbarrow and that’s worth a stop too.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sorcha
Belfast, UK110 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
You cannot access this amazing edifice, as it's a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and sadly in a sorry state from various Victorian and later digs that have taken place. However you can get close enough for photographic purposes, and to read the info-board in the car park adjacent to the monument.
Archaeologists reckon that this was built in a number of phases, but they're still not sure what it was built for; nonetheless it makes a splendid addition to the overall landscape of this part of Wiltshire.
Build a quick stop into your visit to Avebury or West Kennet Longbarrow.
Archaeologists reckon that this was built in a number of phases, but they're still not sure what it was built for; nonetheless it makes a splendid addition to the overall landscape of this part of Wiltshire.
Build a quick stop into your visit to Avebury or West Kennet Longbarrow.
Written December 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Graham B
Devizes, UK41,482 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
As with West Kennet Long Barrow, Silbury Hill is considered to a part of the complex surrounding the stone circle at Avebury. It sits adjacent to the busy A4 route about 500 meters east of Beckhampton and one mile south of Avebury. It is a huge, artificial mound with a flat top, about 40 meters high and a base circumference of 530 meters. It is estimated that the mound comprises some 340,000 cubic meters of chalk and soil and its base covers slightly more than 2 hectares.
It was built in several stages, commencing in approximately 2700BC. The final phase saw the building of six concentric terraces which were then covered with chalk, rubble and soil to form a conical mound. Each of those six steps were concealed within the profile of the mound, with the exception of the last one which was left as a terrace and can be seen about 5 meters from the summit. Archaeologists estimate that in excess of 18-million man-hours would have been required to complete the structure.
Its use or purpose is still wrapped in mystery today; nobody can be really sure. There are theories and ideas that claim it to be a burial mound, a memorial to a monarch and a treasure vault. Ancient folklore tells of the Devil wanting to empty a huge sack of soil onto the town of Marlborough but was forced to drop it here by the sorcery of the priests at Avebury.
The first excavations took place in 1723 which unearthed some human bones and a horse’s bridle. Further work took place in 1776 and 1849 but clues were not forthcoming. In 1967, a new excavation got underway and although there were still no real ideas as to the hill’s function, radio-carbon dating placed the mound at about 4,600 years old. Evidence gleaned from preserved flying ants discovered embedded in the soil place the beginning of work to have been in late July or early August, in what was the Celtic festival of Lugnasadh at the start of the harvest season.
More recent studies have raised suggestions that Silbury Hill is a symbolic effigy of the Mother Goddess and could have been associated with fertility rituals, marking the course of the year. More interestingly still, the hill could have been used as an accurate solar observatory by using the mound’s shadows cast upon the flattened area of plain to the north of the hill. The meridian line from Silbury runs through Avebury church which itself sits astride the ley-line joining Stonehenge and the stone circle at Winterbourne Abbas.
Silbury is a centre for alignment of prehistoric tracks, resurfaced by the Romans and of stone circles. The Roman road from Marlborough to Bath runs directly towards the mound before swerving to avoid it. This indicates that the Roman roads followed existing tracks or ley-lines.
Whatever function it may have served, Silbury Hill stands as a mystery on the undulating plains of Wiltshire
It was built in several stages, commencing in approximately 2700BC. The final phase saw the building of six concentric terraces which were then covered with chalk, rubble and soil to form a conical mound. Each of those six steps were concealed within the profile of the mound, with the exception of the last one which was left as a terrace and can be seen about 5 meters from the summit. Archaeologists estimate that in excess of 18-million man-hours would have been required to complete the structure.
Its use or purpose is still wrapped in mystery today; nobody can be really sure. There are theories and ideas that claim it to be a burial mound, a memorial to a monarch and a treasure vault. Ancient folklore tells of the Devil wanting to empty a huge sack of soil onto the town of Marlborough but was forced to drop it here by the sorcery of the priests at Avebury.
The first excavations took place in 1723 which unearthed some human bones and a horse’s bridle. Further work took place in 1776 and 1849 but clues were not forthcoming. In 1967, a new excavation got underway and although there were still no real ideas as to the hill’s function, radio-carbon dating placed the mound at about 4,600 years old. Evidence gleaned from preserved flying ants discovered embedded in the soil place the beginning of work to have been in late July or early August, in what was the Celtic festival of Lugnasadh at the start of the harvest season.
More recent studies have raised suggestions that Silbury Hill is a symbolic effigy of the Mother Goddess and could have been associated with fertility rituals, marking the course of the year. More interestingly still, the hill could have been used as an accurate solar observatory by using the mound’s shadows cast upon the flattened area of plain to the north of the hill. The meridian line from Silbury runs through Avebury church which itself sits astride the ley-line joining Stonehenge and the stone circle at Winterbourne Abbas.
Silbury is a centre for alignment of prehistoric tracks, resurfaced by the Romans and of stone circles. The Roman road from Marlborough to Bath runs directly towards the mound before swerving to avoid it. This indicates that the Roman roads followed existing tracks or ley-lines.
Whatever function it may have served, Silbury Hill stands as a mystery on the undulating plains of Wiltshire
Written October 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fatbear2000
Oxford, UK4,024 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
well, with poetic licence and apologies to Peter Gabriel, it is no longer possible to climb Silbury Hill to prevent further erosion of this neolithic monument.
A fascinating part of the prehistoric sites in and around Avebury, there is a useful information board situated in the viewing area just off the free carpark.
Experts still have no idea what the purpose of this man-made hill was, but it was very considerate of our predecessors to build it right by the side of the A4 !
A fascinating part of the prehistoric sites in and around Avebury, there is a useful information board situated in the viewing area just off the free carpark.
Experts still have no idea what the purpose of this man-made hill was, but it was very considerate of our predecessors to build it right by the side of the A4 !
Written May 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
M C
Lexington, VA
The 1-day tour sounds like just what I'm looking for with visits to Avebury, Woodhenge, Stonehenge, Silbury Hill, etc. Which tour operator provided the tour? Unfortunately, my trip to England will be in June close to the solstice, so I expect the sites will be quite crowded.
Traditionaldiner
Horsham, UK30 contributions
Only the day of the solstice at Stonehenge will be really crowded. Stonehenge at other times and all the other sites you mention should not be crowded.
Silbury Hill, Avebury
Frequently Asked Questions about Silbury Hill
- Silbury Hill is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Silbury Hill tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Silbury Hill tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Silbury Hill:
- (1.39 mi) Dorwyn Manor B&B
- (0.51 mi) Beckhampton Bed and Breakfast
- (0.69 mi) Avebury Life B&B
- (1.36 mi) The Old Forge
- (0.90 mi) The Lodge Avebury
- Restaurants near Silbury Hill:
- (0.48 mi) Waggon And Horses
- (0.91 mi) The Red Lion
- (0.52 mi) Unhenged Coffee Shop & Cafe
- (1.91 mi) The Bell at West Overton
- (4.37 mi) The White Horse Inn Restaurant