Sarsen Way

The landscape here has been shaped by ancient geological processes and thousands of years of human use, creating something quite different from the limestone hills you'll find further north. The trail is known for its connection to sarsen stones – large natural sandstone blocks left behind from a prehistoric geological layer – and it winds through rolling downland with plenty of open views across the countryside.

Near the village of Oare, you'll see these impressive sarsen stones scattered across the fields in various states: some standing upright and prominent, others half-buried in the ground. They're remnants of the same stone that was used to build Avebury, one of the most significant prehistoric monuments in Britain, and encountering them here gives you a real sense of the area's ancient history. The walking itself is moderate in difficulty, making it accessible for most people while still offering a genuine connection to the landscape and the communities who inhabited it millennia ago.

Once you've finished the walk, Marlborough is just a short drive away. This market town has a historic high street worth exploring, plus plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can rest and refuel. If you want to see sarsen stones on a truly monumental scale, Avebury itself is also within easy reach.