Best natural monuments around Fyfield offer a unique blend of geological formations and ancient historical sites in Wiltshire. The landscape is characterized by chalk grassland and significant prehistoric features. This area provides insight into ancient human activity and natural geological processes. Visitors can explore a variety of sites that showcase both natural beauty and historical importance.
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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Fyfield is most renowned for Devil's Den Dolmen, a Neolithic burial chamber, and the vast expanse of Fyfield Down. Fyfield Down is famous for its unique concentration of sarsen stones, often called 'Grey Wethers' due to their resemblance to a flock of sheep. These geological features are central to the area's natural and historical appeal.
The sarsen stones on Fyfield Down are a geological marvel, massive silicified sandstone boulders scattered across the landscape. They are significant not only for their natural formation but also because they were a primary source for constructing iconic megalithic monuments like Avebury and possibly Stonehenge. Exploring this 'valley of stones' offers a glimpse into a prehistoric landscape and ancient human ingenuity.
Yes, the broader area around Fyfield is rich in historical and natural sites. You can visit the impressive Avebury Stone Circle, a Neolithic henge monument where you can touch the ancient stones. Also nearby are Silbury Hill, Europe's largest artificial mound, and West Kennet Long Barrow, a well-preserved Neolithic burial chamber you can enter.
The area around Fyfield offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking. For example, there are easy hikes like the Manton Gallops – Valley of Stones loop, or more challenging mountain biking routes such as the Hackpen White Horse – The Ridgeway at Barbury Castle loop. You can explore more options on the running trails guide, easy hikes guide, and MTB trails guide for Fyfield.
Many sites are family-friendly. Avebury Stone Circle is particularly popular with families as it's free to enter and children can get up close to the stones. Exploring Fyfield Down and its sarsen stones also offers an engaging outdoor experience. When visiting West Kennet Long Barrow, remember it can be dark inside, so a torch is recommended for younger explorers.
The natural monuments around Fyfield can be visited year-round. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for walking and enjoying the chalk grassland, with wildflowers in bloom. Autumn provides beautiful scenery, while winter can offer a stark, atmospheric experience, though paths may be muddy. Always check local weather conditions before your visit, especially if planning longer walks.
Generally, the outdoor areas like Fyfield Down and the paths around the monuments are dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept under control, especially around livestock and wildlife. Specific sites like Devil's Den Dolmen also welcome cyclists and likely well-behaved dogs. Always remember to clean up after your pet to preserve the natural environment.
Yes, there are several excellent viewpoints. Silbury Hill offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the area around Cherhill White Horse provides breathtaking views over the picturesque Wiltshire countryside.
Fyfield Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its biological importance. It supports diverse wildflowers, lichens, and various wildlife. Keep an eye out for different bird species, insects, and small mammals that thrive in the chalk grassland environment.
Parking availability varies by site. For popular locations like Avebury Stone Circle, there are designated car parks, often managed by the National Trust. For more remote areas like Fyfield Down or Devil's Den Dolmen, you might find smaller, informal parking areas or need to park in nearby villages and walk. It's advisable to check specific access information for each monument before your visit.
Visitors frequently appreciate the unique blend of geological wonder and ancient history. The ability to get up close and even touch the stones at Avebury Stone Circle is a highlight, as is exploring the chambers of West Kennet Long Barrow. The peaceful atmosphere and long-distance views across Fyfield Down also contribute to a memorable experience.


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