Best natural monuments around Winterbourne Monkton are characterized by chalk geology, rolling downlands, and the seasonal Winterbourne stream. This area in the Upper Kennet Valley is notably close to significant prehistoric archaeological sites. The landscape integrates ancient man-made structures that have become an intrinsic part of the natural heritage, offering expansive views and historical connections.
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 landscape around Winterbourne Monkton is characterized by its chalk geology, rolling Marlborough Downs, and the seasonal Winterbourne stream, which gives the village its name. These features, combined with ancient man-made structures, create a unique natural heritage.
Yes, the area is rich in prehistoric archaeological sites that have become intrinsic to the natural landscape. Notable examples include the massive Avebury Henge and Stone Circles, the impressive artificial mound of Silbury Hill, and the ancient burial chamber of West Kennet Long Barrow. These sites showcase how ancient people interacted with and shaped their natural environment.
Visitors appreciate the unique opportunity to get up close to and even touch the ancient stones at sites like Avebury Stone Circle. The historical significance and the panoramic views from places like Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow are also highly valued. The blend of natural beauty and profound history makes for an awe-inspiring experience.
You'll find a variety of walking routes, from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. The ancient trackway known as The Ridgeway offers expansive views across the Marlborough Downs. For detailed routes, you can explore the running trails around Winterbourne Monkton, which include paths near Silbury Hill and Avebury Stone Circle.
Yes, several natural monuments are suitable for families. Avebury Stone Circle is particularly family-friendly, allowing visitors to explore and interact with the stones. The open spaces around many of these sites provide room for children to enjoy the outdoors.
Absolutely. The area offers excellent opportunities for cycling and gravel biking. You can find routes that incorporate views of the natural monuments and the surrounding countryside. Check out the cycling guide for Winterbourne Monkton or the gravel biking guide for specific routes, including those along The Ridgeway Trail.
You can visit the Cherhill White Horse, which is the second oldest in Wiltshire. From its location, you get breathtaking views over the picturesque countryside. It's a striking example of human interaction with the natural chalk landscape.
The Devil's Den Dolmen is a neolithic burial chamber located on Fyfield Hill. It features two standing stones and a massive capstone, with a fascinating history and local folklore surrounding it. It's a significant historical site integrated into the natural environment.
The Marlborough Downs and the Ridgeway offer beautiful views year-round. Spring and summer provide lush green landscapes and warmer weather for walking, while autumn brings vibrant colors. The seasonal Winterbourne stream flows during the winter months, offering a unique natural phenomenon, though paths might be muddier then.
Many of the footpaths and open spaces around the natural monuments, including Avebury Stone Circle, are dog-friendly. However, it's always advisable to keep dogs on a lead, especially around livestock and to protect wildlife, and to check specific site regulations before your visit.
Given the chalk downlands and potential for muddy fields, especially after rain or during winter, good waterproof footwear is highly recommended. Layers of clothing are also advisable to adapt to changing weather conditions, as the open landscapes can be exposed to wind.
While specific cafes and pubs are not listed directly within the monument data, the village of Avebury, which is encircled by the stone circles, offers amenities. The nearby town of Marlborough also provides various options for refreshments after your exploration.


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