Best natural monuments around All Cannings include a unique modern long barrow and several historically significant natural and prehistoric sites. The village is situated within the Marlborough Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wiltshire. This region features ancient monuments, chalk carvings, and impressive earthworks. The landscape offers a blend of natural beauty and archaeological interest.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
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Devil's Den stone monument is a Neolithic dolmen (burial chamber) located in Wiltshire, near Marlborough, not Sturminster Newton. The structure features a massive 17-ton capstone resting on two upright sarsen stones. Local folklore claims that if water is poured into the hollows on the capstone, the Devil himself will come during the night to drink it. It was largely reconstructed in 1921 after the chamber collapsed.
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Sidbury Hill, or Sidbury Camp, is the site of an Iron Age bivallate hillfort on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. The site is sub-triangular in shape, approximately 17 acres in area, and is constructed on the site of a Neolithic settlement. The hill offers excellent defensive slopes on all sides, which have been supplemented by the double ditch and rampart earthworks. The settlement and hillfort were partially excavated in the 19th century and the 1950s; there were finds of pottery and other artefacts. A Neolithic settlement site was discovered during the excavation in the 1950s, being of a section of the south-east rampart of the hillfort. A number of flint flakes and tools were recovered. The site is a scheduled national monument. Trees planted in the 1960s were removed from 2002 and the area was allowed to revert to the natural chalk downland. Access to the site is difficult as it is on, or near, Ministry of Defence land, and there are many tank tracks and occasional artillery firing in the area. There are also numerous ditches, barrows, trackways, field systems, and tumuli in the area. Due to erosion issues climbing on the barrow is now forbidden. Such a shame, but understandable.
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A well preserved bell barrow, the mound of which measures 22m in diameter and stands up to 2.8m high. The mound is surrounded by a berm up to 5m in diameter and a ditch 0.7m deep and up to 6.2m wide. One of these two bell barrows produced a sherd of Bronze Age pottery and a fragment of a polished greenstone axe, both found by Owen Meyrick. A bell barrow, the mound of which measures 24m in diameter and stands 2.7m high. The berm and ditch which surround this barrow have been levelled by cultivation on three sides but survive as buried features on the fourth. From measurements on the western side it can be seen that the berm is c.3m wide and that the ditch is c.5m wide.
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Who wouldn't want to walk into a neolithic burial chamber? anybody? no? didn't think so!!! It was amazing!!! The monument includes six prominent Bronze Age round barrows which form part of a larger round barrow cemetery north-east of West Kennett Farm and west of the Ridgeway track on Overton Hill. This is the site of a round barrow which, despite being ploughed level, will contain archaeological information; the old ground surface beneath the mound and the surrounding quarry ditch, from which material was quarried during construction of the monument, will survive as buried features. The area of the mound has a diameter of 33m; the surrounding ditch is c.2m wide. A bowl barrow, the mound of which measures 41.5m in diameter and stands up to 1.2m high. The mound is surrounded by a ditch which has become infilled over the years but which survives as a buried feature c.3m wide. This barrow has been partially excavated on two occasions, in 1857 by Thurnham and again in 1882 by W & H Cunnington. The primary cremation burial was not located but two secondary cremations were recovered. One was located north- west of the centre of the mound and was accompanied by a flint scraper and a serrated flint flake; the other was situated east of the centre and contained pottery sherds of two vessels, a beaker and an urn, as well as a piece of antler and several bone pins. A bowl barrow, the mound of which measures 42m in diameter and stands up to 0.7m high. The barrow has been partially excavated on two occasions, in 1857 by Thurnham and in 1882 by Ponting. These revealed that the barrow mound contained a crouched skeleton in a grave partly lined and roofed with sarsens. This was covered by a sarsen cairn, itself ringed by a double circle of sarsen stones c.1m outside the edge of the cairn. There was no evidence of a ditch around this barrow. Other finds included a later crouched skeleton covered with sarsen stones, the skeleton of a child, three large urns full of burnt bones and the perforated head of a bone pin. A well preserved bell barrow, the mound of which measures 26m in diameter and stands up to 3m high. The mound is surrounded by a gently sloping berm or platform c.3m wide and a ditch 0.5m deep and up to 6.4m wide.
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In a field on Fyfield Down, 1 mile east of Marlborough, Wiltshire, stands the prehistoric burial chamber known as The Devil’s Den or Clatford Bottom Stone, a Neolithic monument from 5,000 years ago that is also known as a Dolmen (stone table). Get up here on a clear day, nice and early, and you'll witness the most amazing sunrise.
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Got to be honest Farid mate this has given me the biggest laugh ever on Kamoot. Not like it's going to be there the next time!!!
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The area around All Cannings is rich in prehistoric monuments. You can explore the Avebury Stone Circle, the largest megalithic stone circle in the world, where you can walk freely among the ancient stones. Nearby, Silbury Hill stands as Europe's largest artificial mound from prehistoric times, an impressive feat of Neolithic engineering. Don't miss West Kennet Long Barrow, one of Britain's most impressive Neolithic chambered tombs, where you can enter the ancient burial chambers.
Yes, All Cannings is home to a unique modern natural monument: The Long Barrow at All Cannings. Completed in 2014, this 'Novolithic Barrow' blends ancient architectural styles with modern purpose, serving as a serene place for reflection and remembrance. Its exterior is generally open to visitors during daylight hours.
The landscape around All Cannings, situated within the Marlborough Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers a blend of natural beauty and archaeological interest. You'll encounter rolling chalk hills, ancient earthworks, and iconic hill figures like the Cherhill White Horse, carved into the chalk hillside. The area also features scattered sarsen stones, particularly around sites like Devil's Den Dolmen and Fyfield Down.
Many of the natural monuments are suitable for families. The Avebury Stone Circle allows visitors to walk freely among the stones, which is often a hit with children. Exploring the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow can also be an exciting adventure. The open spaces around sites like Silbury Hill and the Cherhill White Horse offer plenty of room for children to explore while enjoying scenic views.
The area around All Cannings is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, including easy to moderate options like the 'Pewsey White Horse – The King's Arms All Cannings loop'. For mountain biking, trails like the 'Ridgeway & St Alfred's Way loop' offer moderate challenges. There are also easy hiking trails, such as the 'Avebury Stone Circle – West Kennet Avenue loop' and the 'West Kennet Long Barrow – Silbury Hill loop'. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the cycling guide, MTB guide, and easy hikes guide for All Cannings.
Many of the outdoor natural monuments, such as the Avebury Stone Circle and the surrounding landscapes of Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, are generally dog-friendly, especially for walks on leads. Always check specific site regulations, particularly for any indoor or sensitive areas, and be mindful of livestock in fields.
The time needed varies depending on how many sites you wish to visit and how deeply you explore. You could spend a full day or more visiting the cluster of sites around Avebury (including the Stone Circle, Silbury Hill, and West Kennet Long Barrow). Individual sites like the Cherhill White Horse or Devil's Den Dolmen might take an hour or two, including walks to and from them. Plan for half a day to a full day if you want to visit multiple key locations.
The natural monuments can be visited year-round. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for walking and exploring the open landscapes, with longer daylight hours. Autumn brings beautiful colours to the surrounding countryside. Winter visits can be atmospheric, especially for sites like The Long Barrow at All Cannings, which is aligned with the winter solstice sunrise. Be prepared for muddy conditions during wetter months, especially at sites like Avebury.
While not entirely hidden, the Devil's Den Dolmen near Marlborough offers a mysterious and intriguing experience. This dolmen burial chamber, with its massive capstone and local folklore, is located on Fyfield Hill, an area also scattered with numerous sarsen stones. It provides a quieter, more reflective visit compared to some of the larger, more popular sites.
Visitors frequently highlight the profound connection to prehistoric Britain offered by sites like the Avebury Stone Circle, where they can walk freely among the ancient stones. The immense scale and mystery of Silbury Hill and the atmospheric experience of exploring the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow are also highly appreciated. The breathtaking views from the Cherhill White Horse and the unique blend of ancient and modern at The Long Barrow at All Cannings also receive praise.
Parking facilities vary by site. For major attractions like Avebury Stone Circle, there is typically dedicated parking available, often managed by organizations like the National Trust. For other sites like West Kennet Long Barrow or the Cherhill White Horse, you might find smaller car parks or roadside parking options nearby. It's advisable to check specific access information for each monument before your visit.
Yes, especially in the villages associated with the major sites. Avebury village, for instance, has cafes and pubs where you can find refreshments after exploring the Stone Circle. For other sites, particularly those in more rural settings, options might be limited, so it's a good idea to bring your own snacks and drinks or plan to visit a nearby town or village for amenities.
The geology of the region is dominated by chalk, which forms the rolling hills of the Marlborough Downs. This chalk is evident in the construction of ancient monuments like Silbury Hill and the iconic Cherhill White Horse. Additionally, large sarsen stones, remnants of ancient geological processes, are scattered across the landscape, notably around sites like Devil's Den Dolmen and Fyfield Down.


Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around All Cannings: