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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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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If you want an authentic experience as to what it was like to live in a 19th century railway community, look no further than a walk around Swindon's railway village.

Arriving appropriately by train, turn right out of the station's main entrance, and in a few minutes you'll be amongst the distinctive architecture of the railway village.

Stroll through the individual streets that were named after locomotives that passed through Swindon, and get a feel for the type of habitat that many of the railway workers dwelt in.

The turreted building is where the town's railway museum used to be housed, and next door to this, you can visit a railway cottage as it used to be in Brunel’s day, and get a feel for how things were for a typical railway worker's family.

In need of refreshment? You'll come across three pubs in the Emlyn square area of the village. I can personally vouch for the Gluepot, a fine selection of real ales along with a bowl of their chilli or cheesy chips will go down a treat.

Make your way to the pleasant open space of Faringdon Park, and then visit St. Mark's church with the modern railway running at the back.

The railway village is a real oasis of tranquillity, in contrast to the busy town centre. In early spring, daffodils and primroses are abundant.

Make your way back along Church Place and Bristol Street. You'll see a sign for Steam, where the railway museum has relocated. You also have the option of shopping at Swindon's designer outlet village, which has tastefully incorporated railway memorabilia into their malls.

As you walk along the underpass, spare a thought for former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman. In the 1960s, he successfully campaigned to save Swindon's railway village from redevelopment. Well played Sir John!

www.swindonweb.com/guid/herirail0.htm

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