West Kennet long barrow is a Neolithic chambered tomb. The builders created an artificial mound over 5,000 years ago inside of which they built stone-lined chambers and a passage. Inside the chambers they placed the bones of dead people. These weren't simple burials. Leg bones were lined up with leg bones, skulls with skulls in different chambers. The Neolithic people were creating ancestors from their dead and would use the bones in ceremonies.
The entrance to the passage is guarded by an impressive row of massive upright stones. These face east and look their most amazing just after sunrise. Even better is to visit on a clear night for full moon rise.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/west-kennet-long-barrow/
Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1QF
+44(0)1672 539 250
Google map: bit.ly/tvD9Ec
Near Avebury, Wiltshire.

Bus: From Swindon service 49. Connect2 line 43; Thamesdown Transport 43A; Wilts & Dorset service 96 then 3/4 mile walk
Road: 3⁄4 mile SW of West Kennet, along footpath off A4
Train: Pewsey 9 miles, Swindon 13 miles

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This delightful and reasonably-priced course is a weekend of Lyengar yoga sessions and therapeutic massage tuition, with very experienced teachers.

The atmosphere is one of relaxation and enjoyment, with small group sizes and very friendly hosts. All food is provided, from the delicious healthy vegetarian meals, to the yummy home-baked snacks brought out in the tea and coffee breaks between sessions. Most meals include some home grown produce from the farm's extensive organic vegetable garden!

Accommodation is in simple but comfortable shared rooms (single or double/twin rooms available on request). Book early, as this course is often very popular!

Lower Shaw Farm is a small farm on the outskirts of Swindon - once you arrive at the farm, you'd have no idea you were in Swindon - the surrounding trees make you feel like you could easily be in the middle of nowhere! The farm has been established as a venue for courses and workshops for over 20 years.

I attended the November 08 and March 09 weekends, and the course is repeated again on 3rd-5th July 2009, and 2nd-4th October. It is priced at £120, which includes two nights accommodation, all food, and all yoga and massage sessions.

Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5PJ
www.lowershawfarm.co.uk
01793 771080
The nearest train station is Swindon - and it's only 1 hour from London Paddington, and easily reachable for other parts of the country too.

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Swindon has a fantastic collection of 20th century British art - Lowry, Nicholson, Howard Hodgkin, David Bomberg, Terry Frost etc. A really unexpected hidden gem of a collection nestled alongside the local museum up in Old Town. This collection really has wow factor.

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery
Bath Road
Swindon
SN1 4BA
www.swindon.gov.uk/heritage
01793 466556

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Lydiard Park is a 260 acre parkland with a historic house and church, extensive park and grounds, lake, children's play area, and refreshments. Because it's only a few minutes' drive from J16 of the M4, I'm recommending it as an ideal stop for motorists.

www.lydiardpark.org.uk/lyd-visitorinformation.htm

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