AttractionEnglish Heritage

The Sanctuary, Avebury

Wiltshire

A Neolithic circle marked out in concrete at the end of the Avebury stone avenue, on high open downland that gives your dog superb Ridgeway walking.

Be clear what you are looking at, because it catches people out. The Sanctuary was begun around 2500 BC as a complex circular arrangement of timber posts and standing stones, and every one has gone. What you see today are concrete blocks and posts marking where they stood. That sounds unpromising, and yet the position makes it worthwhile: it sits at the end of the West Kennet Avenue, the double line of stones running from Avebury, so it was the destination of a ceremonial route more than a mile long.

While you consider that excavations in 1930 found flint tools, animal bones and pottery suggesting offerings left around the posts, your dog gets high open downland on the Ridgeway, and this is superb walking country: Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow and Avebury itself are all within a short distance.

Free and permanently open, with a lay-by opposite. This site is unstaffed and carries no published dog rules. The A4 is fast and immediately adjacent, and the downs are grazed, so leads on.

At a Glance

Site Type: Prehistoric Site
Entry: Free
Members: Free for English Heritage members
Telephone: 01672 539250

English Heritage Membership

Planning Your Visit

Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Sanctuary, Avebury dog friendly?
The Sanctuary is free, permanently open, and carries no published dog rules, so dogs are welcome to visit. The surrounding downland on the Ridgeway makes it genuinely great walking country, with Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow and Avebury all within easy reach.
Are dogs allowed at The Sanctuary, Avebury year round?
Yes — the site is permanently open and unstaffed, with no seasonal restrictions. There's a lay-by opposite for parking, so you can drop in any time of year.
What should I know before visiting The Sanctuary, Avebury with my dog?
Two things to keep in mind: the A4 runs fast and immediately adjacent to the site, and the surrounding downland is grazed, so keeping your dog on a lead is strongly advisable. The site itself is open and unfenced, so it's worth being prepared before you arrive rather than scrambling for a lead once you're there.

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SN8 1EY

51.4099, -1.8303

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What’s Nearby?

Attraction0.7 mi away

West Kennet Avenue, Avebury

Gloucestershire

A mile and a half of paired standing stones winding from Avebury to the Sanctuary, free, and a linear walk rather than a fenced monument for your dog.

View ListingPrehistoric Site · Free