Best natural monuments around Devizes feature a landscape rich in historical and archaeological significance, often blending natural beauty with ancient human endeavors. The area is characterized by prominent chalk hills, ancient earthworks, and unique geological formations. Visitors can explore sites that offer insights into prehistoric civilizations and enjoy expansive views across the Wiltshire countryside.
Last updated: March 4, 2026
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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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Adam’s Grave on Walker's Hill in Alton, the most dramatically located Neolithic long barrow in Wiltshire and the site of battles in 592 and 715. The area surrounding Walker's Hill is pitted and speckled with barrows and ditches of many sizes and shapes.
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Milk Hill 294m, Pewsey Down, Wiltshire (County High Top). A longish but easy walk over undulating hills to get Milk Hill, the county top for Wiltshire. Thought I would do Tan Hill as well to bag a trig point. Turns out there was no summit marker on Milk Hill or a Trig Point on Tan Hill. Still, a lovely walk and well worth doing. Took Walkers Hill as well which is a great historic tomb. Route Statistics: Easy undulating trails with minimal ascent really. 9.2km done in 2hrs with 250m of height gain.
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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 Devizes is rich in historical and natural landmarks. Among the most popular are the Avebury Stone Circle, which is large enough to encompass part of a village, and Silbury Hill, Europe's largest artificial mound. Visitors also frequently explore West Kennet Long Barrow, one of Britain's best-preserved Neolithic burial chambers.
Yes, several natural monuments are suitable for families. The Avebury Stone Circle is a great option, as it's free to enter and allows visitors to get close to the ancient stones. Drew's Pond Wood Local Nature Reserve also offers tranquil woodland walks that are enjoyable for all ages.
The natural monuments around Devizes are deeply intertwined with history. You can explore ancient Iron Age earthworks at Roundway Hill, walk along the enigmatic Wansdyke, and discover Neolithic long barrows like Adam's Grave on Walkers Hill. The Cherhill White Horse is another historical highlight, being the second oldest of Wiltshire's chalk hill figures.
The region is characterized by prominent chalk hills such as Roundway Hill and Morgan's Hill, which are known for their dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity, including diverse orchids and butterflies. Belvedere Woods features steep slopes of soft greensand rock, where rainwater creates clear springs and carves deep gullies, offering unique geological observations.
Absolutely. The area offers numerous walking opportunities. For instance, you can find easy hiking routes like the 'Devizes White Horse & Oliver’s Castle loop' or the 'Beacon Hill Summit – Devizes Millennium White Horse loop'. Many trails allow you to explore sites like Roundway Hill, Morgan's Hill, and the Wansdyke. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Hiking around Devizes guide.
Spring and summer are particularly rewarding for visiting the natural monuments. During these seasons, sites like Morgan's Hill are vibrant with wildflowers such as cowslips, primroses, and violets, and you can spot a range of butterfly species. The views across the countryside are also typically clearer during these months.
For a quieter experience, consider visiting Drew's Pond Wood Local Nature Reserve, which offers tranquil woodland walks close to Devizes. Belvedere Woods is another hidden gem for peaceful strolls, allowing you to observe natural water flow and geological features away from larger crowds.
Yes, you can enter the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow. It can be dark inside, so bringing a torch is recommended to fully appreciate the ancient structure.
Many natural monuments offer breathtaking panoramic views. From Roundway Hill, you can enjoy expansive vistas across the surrounding countryside. Morgan's Hill provides incredible views of Cherhill Down and the north Wiltshire plains, while Walkers Hill offers exceptional views of the Vale of Pewsey and the surrounding downland. The Cherhill White Horse also boasts stunning views from above.
Yes, there are cycling opportunities that pass by or near some of the natural monuments. You can find various routes, from easy to difficult, that explore the wider Devizes area, including those that might take you past sites like the Pewsey White Horse or through the surrounding downland. For detailed routes, refer to the Cycling around Devizes guide.
Visitors frequently highlight the unique blend of natural beauty and profound historical significance. They appreciate the opportunity to walk among ancient structures, enjoy expansive views, and connect with millennia of human history. The ability to get close to and even touch the stones at places like Avebury Stone Circle is often mentioned as a particularly engaging experience.
Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Devizes:
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