The landscape contains the Stonehenge Cursus, a 3-kilometer long Neolithic earthwork of unknown function predating the stone circle.
Durrington Walls, located within the landscape, is one of the largest henge monuments in Britain and served as a major Neolithic settlement.
The landscape features over 300 individual archaeological features, many of which are only visible through geophysical surveys or aerial photography.
The King Barrows area holds a high concentration of Bronze Age round barrows, once thought to be the burial sites of local Neolithic nobility.
The National Trust has removed miles of old fencing and tracks to restore the open downland appearance of the site.
The Avenue serves as a solstitial alignment, tracking the path of the sun during the summer solstice sunrise.
The landscape is managed using specialized cattle grazing to maintain the short turf required to preserve fragile surface archaeology.
The Stonehenge Landscape encompasses 2,100 acres of chalk grassland surrounding the Neolithic stone circle, managed by the National Trust. It features extensive archaeological remains including the Cursus, Durrington Walls, and numerous Bronze Age burial mounds known as barrows. The site serves as a preserved environment that restores the downland character of the World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk the public rights of way and permissive paths that offer direct views of the stones from outside the fenced visitor center perimeter. The landscape includes the Avenue, a ceremonial processional way stretching from the stones toward the River Avon. These grasslands provide a habitat for rare chalk-loving plants and diverse butterfly species. The area is largely reclaimed agricultural land returned to grazing to promote biodiversity.
The elevated paths along the King Barrows provide a panoramic view of the entire landscape with the stones in the distance.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as paths are uneven and can become muddy or slippery in wet conditions.
Check the National Trust website for local grazing notices, as some sections may be closed to protect livestock or sensitive grass habitats.
Bring binoculars to view distant barrows and earthworks that are not immediately obvious to the naked eye.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the burial mounds, as they are protected archaeological monuments.
Stay on marked footpaths to prevent erosion of the archaeological earthworks and respect all signage regarding livestock.
