Best natural monuments around Ogbourne St. Andrew include a variety of ancient sites and natural features within the North Wiltshire & Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village itself is situated in the valley of the River Og, a unique winterbourne that flows seasonally. This region combines significant historical and archaeological value with a distinctive natural landscape, offering diverse exploration opportunities.
Last updated: May 19, 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 village of Ogbourne St. Andrew is situated in the valley of the River Og, a fascinating "winterbourne" that flows primarily in winter and often dries up in summer. This ephemeral river creates a unique local ecosystem. Additionally, within the churchyard of St. Andrew's Church, you can find a rare Bronze Age bell barrow, showcasing ancient human interaction with the natural landscape.
Yes, the region is rich in ancient history. Beyond the local Bronze Age barrow, you can visit the extraordinary Avebury Stone Circle, a Neolithic site where a large stone circle encircles part of the village. Nearby, explore Silbury Hill, Europe's largest artificial mound, and West Kennet Long Barrow, a Neolithic burial chamber older than Stonehenge that you can enter. The Cherhill White Horse, carved into a chalk hillside, is another striking historical landmark, as is the ancient Devil's Den Dolmen.
Visitors appreciate the unique blend of ancient history and natural beauty. Many enjoy the ability to get up close and even touch the stones at Avebury Stone Circle, noting its impressive scale and free access. The historical significance and the opportunity to explore inside the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow are also highly valued. The stunning views from sites like Cherhill White Horse over the picturesque countryside are frequently highlighted.
Many of the natural monuments are family-friendly. Avebury Stone Circle is particularly good for families, as children can explore and interact with the ancient stones. The open spaces around sites like Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow offer space for children to run and discover, though some trails may be muddy, so appropriate footwear is recommended.
The North Wessex Downs are beautiful year-round. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for walking and exploring, with the River Og flowing seasonally. Autumn brings vibrant colors to the landscape. Winter visits can be atmospheric, but trails may be muddy, especially around sites like Avebury, so waterproof footwear is advisable. Check local weather forecasts before your visit.
The area offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including moderate to difficult routes like the 'Barbury Castle, Marlborough Downs & Ogbourne St Andrews loop' or 'White Horses & Ancient Castles loop'. For cycling enthusiasts, there are road cycling routes such as the 'Wiltshire Cycleway loop' and mountain biking trails like 'Avebury & the Ridgeway from Marlborough'. You can explore more options on the dedicated guides for Hiking around Ogbourne St. Andrew, MTB Trails around Ogbourne St. Andrew, and Road Cycling Routes around Ogbourne St. Andrew.
While many sites involve walking over uneven terrain or fields, some areas around the natural monuments offer more accessible paths. For instance, parts of Avebury Stone Circle are within the village itself, which has paved areas. However, to fully experience the sites and their surrounding landscapes, some walking on natural ground is often required. It's best to check specific site information for detailed accessibility notes.
Parking is generally available near the major natural monuments. For Avebury Stone Circle, there is a National Trust car park. Other sites like West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill often have small, designated parking areas nearby or can be accessed via footpaths from larger car parks in nearby villages. Always look for official parking signs and be mindful of local residents.
Public transport options to reach the natural monuments can be limited, especially for more remote sites. Buses serve some of the larger villages like Avebury. From Ogbourne St. Andrew, you might need to combine bus travel with walking or consider local taxi services to reach specific sites. Planning your route in advance using local bus schedules is recommended.
While the major sites are well-known, the ephemeral River Og itself, flowing through Ogbourne St. Andrew, is a unique natural phenomenon that offers tranquil walks and a chance to observe seasonal changes. The Bronze Age bell barrow within St. Andrew's Churchyard is also a fascinating, less-publicized historical feature right in the village, offering a glimpse into ancient history within a peaceful setting.
The North Wessex Downs AONB is home to diverse wildlife. You might spot various bird species, including raptors soaring over the hills. The chalk grasslands support unique flora and insects, such as butterflies. Mammals like deer, foxes, and badgers are also present, though often more elusive. The seasonal flow of the River Og creates specific habitats for aquatic life when it's active.
Yes, the region offers challenging trails for experienced hikers. For instance, the 'White Horses & Ancient Castles loop' is rated as difficult, covering a significant distance and elevation. Many routes along The Ridgeway, an ancient trackway, can also be challenging, especially when combined with exploring multiple natural monuments. You can find more details on these routes in the Hiking around Ogbourne St. Andrew guide.


Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Ogbourne St. Andrew: