090: Ancient Stones of Avebury (Avebury Stone Circle and Avebury Manor) (North Wessex Downs 2017)

NORTH WESSEX DOWNS WALK FEATURING AVEBURY, THE STONE CIRCLE AND AVEBURY MANOR AND GARDENS
"Ancient Stones of Avebury”
Filmed 5th September 2017
Post-production completed 1st December 2017
*Contains some swearing*
During a visit to the North Wessex Downs in Wiltshire I go to the fascinating Avebury with its ancient stone circle. I plan to do a circular walk starting from the village, but the wet weather makes me go against the idea in the end. However, I still enjoy my day in Avebury very much, which includes a visit to the local manor and gardens, and sneaking in a quick half of local ale in the village’s thatched inn…..
Filmed in Avebury in the North Wessex Downs in the county of Wiltshire. Locations include the stone circle and Avebury Manor.
Written, researched, directed, camera and sound, edited and music by Patrick Leach.
Any other names credited in this film, i.e. Bob Morgan and Martin Roy, are pseudonyms, which I used at the time of making this film. However, I no longer use these pseudonyms as I want viewers to be clear that my films are completely my own work.
Click here for a map showing the route of the walk: osmaps.ordnanc...
"The Solitary Rambler" is my series of amateur films of my journeys in the countryside accompanied by my own musical scores, which I compose and perform on my Yamaha keyboard.
Please note that, as with all the films I make, this is not actually intended to be an extensive guide to the area. This is a mini-movie of my personal journey along the walk, in which I often share some of my own personal stories.
If you are new to my channel, I strongly recommend reading the description under the “about” tab, which will provide a clearer understanding of what to expect in my films: / solitaryrambler
There is also a short “Introduction to the Solitary Rambler” video, which briefly explains what my films are all about: / solitaryrambler
DISCLAIMER: Although I work hard to ensure all information is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am only featuring information I have found online and/or in books during my research when putting this film together, so I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
Many thanks and I hope you enjoy watching!
IF YOU ENJOY MY CHANNEL THEN PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ME:
For a small fee you can download any of my musical soundtracks I have composed for my films: patrickleach.b...
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[@kathrynbrock1558]

Retracing my footsteps here. Last time I went was 2017 and it poured all the time so this is a great view of what I should have seen that da. Thanks again Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

Yes I had to shorten the walk from what I recall when I was here due to the rain! 😅Thanks again for watching 👍

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

The stones are a truly stunning sight Patrick. I've never seen a video done showing these, previously. The size of them gives the impression that they're very heavy indeed. The stone circle is very impressive too. It was unfortunate that you couldn't achieve your full walk for the day, but it was a bonus to see the lovely thatched buildings in the town and especially the Avebury Manor. A most excellent presentation, Patrick. Thank you.

[@solitaryrambler]

The stones are amazing Ffranc. I have seen quite a few other videos on Avebury myself (not watched them all), as it is a very popular and touristy spot in that part of Wiltshire. I remember having planned a longer route, but due to the rain I ended up sticking just to Avebury. Glad you enjoyed this, thanks as alway for watching and commenting 👍

[@CelticSaint]

thank you. I am reminded of the TV series from the 1970's called 'The Children of the Stones' that was filmed at the circle.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@pete7179]

Great work on the music Patrick,especially the longer scenes where you showed us the sculptures (reminded me of the Yorkshire sculpture park) and the credits,I liked too how things weren't roped off in the manor house. Definitely made the right choice in retiring to the pub for a local ale when it rained. A great watch as always. Thankyou. Pete.

[@solitaryrambler]

I was pleased with my music in this too, so thanks for that. It was amazing being to touch items inside the house, which is unusual. A great quick half was enjoyed in that pub halfway through filming! :)

[@WyeExplorer]

I really enjoyed that Patrick. Only last week a friend of mine Jo said she had found an account of my brother Paul's visit to the stones back in the early 90's. She sent it and I read it. What a magical experience he had. I can see the mesmerizing nature of them. Indeed, along with Paul and others we were at the Winter Solstice 2013 (Stonehenge) and I remember a huge circle lead by a druid in that field near the village. We joined in and it was the first ceremony of its kind I had partaken in. Such a fond memory. I really liked that Manor - I reckon I could play a few rounds of billiards in there happily. Glad you found other things to do because it meant us seeing a whole lot more. Take care. Mark

[@solitaryrambler]

Hi Mark, the stones are indeed very mesmerizing, never quite come across anything like them before really. Would love to get to Stonehenge too one day as I've ever ever seen it once from a distance. The manor was lovely too and I would have quite happily stayed there all day playing billiards on that old table. Thanks for watching Mark. All the best, Patrick :-)

[@shaunmckenna1923]

This great I went there as a school boy back in about1966 also went to West Kennet Long Barrow it was one of the best school trips I did . Thanks for the memories :)

[@solitaryrambler]

I was planning on walking to West Kennet Long Barrow as part of the walk in this film, but the weather put paid to that sadly. Nice to know this is your old stomping ground 👍

[@WalksWithOlly]

I've walked through and past Avebury a number of times but didn't know much about the manor. What a fantastic place and an attitude that quite strongly contrasts the 'please do not touch' approach of most National Trust houses. I visited Salisbury Cathedral last year and there were lots of wireframe rabbit-themed sculptures around the garden and inside. I imagine they'll have been removed by now though. Thanks for another detailed and interesting video. :-)

[@solitaryrambler]

Hi Olly, yes Avebury Manor is certainly unique in respect of encouraging visitors to sit and lie on the furniture. I suppose today the restoration of old furniture can withstand the wear and tear of visitors a lot longer, and much of the furniture has been totally recreated from scratch. Salisbury is a place I've not been to for a long time, so that's worth going back to when I can. Thanks for taking the time to give this a viewing. Cheers, Patrick :-)

[@WalksWithOlly]

Ah, you may not know that I studied furniture making a few years ago. ;-) Although I wouldn't class myself as an expert in restoration. We often have this belief that 'it isn't made as well as it used to be' but that's not always true with furniture... Some of Thomas Chippendale's designs suffered from 'short grain' issues, with too much intricacy and decoration that would ultimately lead to weakness and failure. But yes, modern adhesives and technologies allow us to do so much more and also efficiently. :-)

[@solitaryrambler]

Do you still put your furniture making into practise?

[@WalksWithOlly]

I will do as soon as I can get myself sorted out with a workshop. Haven't had one since 2014, now. Used to work out of my mum's former garage; a lot of places available to rent cost as much as a flat. I'll keep trying. I've got 7,000 subscribers waiting for me on my other channel! ;-)

[@solitaryrambler]

I'll take a look at this other channel of yours, thanks for the heads up :-)

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

This part of the country is a mystery to me Patrick , even though id heard of its standing stones ,and seen it featured a couple times on tv , it was lovely to get a closer look .... How wonderful of the national trust to get involved in so much of the village ,especially , the chapel ...i have to say the manor was beautiful , and i noticed all the thatched roofs including the one on the red lion pub.........Thank you also for featuring the church of St James...... it looked lovely and added to a wonderful backdrop in some of the footage too....As Always very enjoyable ....Frank and Lee.......

[@solitaryrambler]

It was rather a blessing actually that I visited the manor and gardens instead of the walk I was going to do. Really lovely inside and those sculptures in the gardens I just thought were amazing. Thatched roofs are very common in Wiltshire so it was great to be able to capture some of them. As always my friends Frank and Lee thank you so much for watching. Cheers, Patrick :-)

[@PaulOutdoors]

An outstanding watch and listen Patrick. Sometimes best laid plans having to be tweaked leads to an enhanced experience. I love Avebury, I love Wiltshire generally as it feels like the land holds an untouched magic. I have been there during crop circle season a number of times. Avebury like other stone circles holds an allure and the not knowing for sure what their true purpose was or is adds to their attraction for me although I do feel that Avebury and other such sites were once great power centres, portals, now maybe decomissioned. I had a marvellous reaction at the entrance of West Kennet Long Barrow whilst dowsing with a crystal pendulum but have yet to use it at Avebury. Thank you for sharing this. Paul :)

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Paul. Avebury is indeed a magical place. You mention West Kennet Long Barrow - that's where I would have walked to, as well as Silbury Hill, had it not rained on the day of my visit. Like you say, the best laid plans, and I was very happy to have visited Avebury Manor instead. Thanks for watching. Cheers, Patrick :-)

[@snacklofter]

Sorry the inclement weather curtailed your walk, but the section inside Avebury Manor was absolutely fascinating. Marvelous to hear that you can actually sit on the chairs and beds and interact with house without it being 'roped off' like so many other historic houses. Many thanks - snack.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Snack, Avebury Manor was really interesting to explore bearing in mind I wasn't originally planning on visiting, one of the few houses I think where the public can sit on the furniture. Thanks for watching. Cheers, Patrick :-)

[@trevorwright6165]

thank you patrick for a nice and interesting walk cheers trev

[@solitaryrambler]

This turned out quite nice despite the rain at the time. Thanks again for watching. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@timmycowie9612]

What is weird is we have some of same carvings in new Brunswick Maybe nothing but I believe their getting native American cave's mixed up with Vikings