Avebury, Wiltshire   (UNESCO World Heritage site)

The complex, begun in around 2800 BCE, comprises an enormous circular earthwork, 400 m wide, with deep external ditch whose circumference is over 1200 metres. Inside there is a 400-metre diameter circle of enormous standing stones, and inside that there are two more stone circles each 100 metres in diameter.

From outside of the circles there run two stone avenues, of which only a few stones remain.

The village partly occupies the site, with an old manor house and church. Nearby is the ancient Silbury Hill, the greatest man made mound in Europe (of unknown purpose) and the ‘Sanctuary,’ another stone circle of which nothing remains in place and is now marked out by posts.

I'm suspicious that the large stones to be found in various places nearby, such as near the lay-by and the track or path towards Avebury, probably came from the sanctuary when it was dismantled before the 19th century.

The above photos show immense stones from the inner circles of the monument and some of the barrows (burial mounds) near to the Sanctuary.

Left: West Kennet long barrow.

Coombe Martin, Devon

Some views of the dramatic features of the coastline at Coombe Martin in North Devon.

Edington Priory became a monastic institution as late as 1358 and housed Augustinian cannons. The principle building to survive is the church which was already used by the parish jointly with the ‘monks’ (cannons) from before the reformation. It’s a spacious and imposing structure with original medieval glass, elaborate tombs and carved screens.  

The photos show the nave interior from opposing directions. The church also contains some medieval stonework from churches in villages formerly located on the now desolate Salisbury Plain. These ancient buildings, along with the adjoining villages, were demolished so that the army could have somewhere to run amok!

Sherbourne Abbey, Dorset

The abbey was founded by St Aldhelm in 705 AD and briefly became a cathedral. It was rebuilt and used as a monastery during the middle ages until 1539. Much remains intact incorporated into a private school and the entire, large monastic church, mainly rebuilt in the 15th century, is now used as the main parish church for the town.

The original parochial church adjoined the west front of the abbey nave, and was demolished soon after the dissolution, being rendered obsolete by the acquisition of the more impressive monastic church.

The photo is of a section of the nave arcades which are of an elaborate and unusual form. 

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