Avebury & the North Wessex Downs Walking Weekend

Meeting Locations & Times

Our walking weekend begins at the Premier Inn Marlborough, where you can check in from 15:00 on Friday.

Your Large Outdoors guide will meet everyone in the hotel bar from 18:00 for introductions and a chat about the weekend ahead.

Hotel address:

Premier Inn Marlborough
Jennings Road
Marlborough
SN8 4WL

Travelling by Train

Hungerford railway station is the most convenient station for guests using our complimentary collection service.

We offer a free group collection from Hungerford on Friday evening, so there's no need to arrange your own transport from the station to the hotel.

Station Pickups

Our complimentary collection from Hungerford railway station is at 17:30 on Friday.

You can request this during booking or contact Large Outdoors afterwards to arrange it.

Station collections must be booked in advance.

Travelling by Car & Parking

Free parking is available at the Premier Inn Marlborough.

Please remember to register your vehicle's number plate at hotel reception to avoid parking charges.

If you're driving, you can make your own way to the hotel and meet the group in the bar from 18:00.

Transport During the Trip

All transport between our hotel and the walking routes is included throughout the weekend.

Your guide will take care of the driving and arrangements, so you can relax and enjoy exploring Avebury and the North Wessex Downs.

Ferries & Boat Transfers

There are no scheduled ferry or boat transfers on this weekend.

Departure & Return Travel

On Sunday, we aim to finish between 15:00 and 16:00.

Our final walk finishes around Great Bedwyn, where guests travelling by train may be able to catch a direct service home.

We can also provide a minibus drop-off at Hungerford railway station for onward travel.

If you're travelling home by train, we recommend booking a flexible or open return ticket to allow for any changes to our finishing time.

Important Travel Information

There are no additional travel requirements or arrangements for this weekend.

Accommodation Location

We'll be staying for two nights at the Premier Inn Marlborough, conveniently located in the historic market town of Marlborough, with shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants nearby.

Hotel address:

Premier Inn Marlborough
Jennings Road
Marlborough
SN8 4WL

Accommodation Type

Our accommodation is a comfortable hotel, providing a convenient base for exploring Avebury and the North Wessex Downs.

You'll have your own room or a shared room, depending on the option selected when booking.

Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements

All accommodation is in standard hotel bedrooms, with comfortable beds and en-suite facilities.

There are no bunk beds.

Room Options

The following room options may be available, subject to availability when booking:

• Shared Female Room – Share a room with another female guest.

• Shared Male Room – Share a room with another male guest.

• Twin Room – For two guests booking together who prefer separate beds.

• Double Room – For two guests booking together who are happy to share a bed.

• Sole Occupancy Room – A private room for one guest.

Bathrooms

All bedrooms have private en-suite bathrooms, so you won't need to share bathroom facilities with other rooms.

Bedding & Towels

All bedding and towels are provided by the hotel, so there's no need to bring your own.

Tea and coffee-making facilities are also available in the bedrooms.

Breakfast

Breakfast is included on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

A selection of cooked and continental breakfast options is available at the hotel.

Please let us know about any dietary requirements when booking.

Packed Lunches

Packed lunches are not included in the trip price.

Please bring a packed lunch for each walking day. There are shops in Marlborough where you can purchase supplies before setting off.

We also recommend bringing snacks and a reusable water bottle.

Evening Meals

Evening meals are not included in the trip price.

On Friday evening, we'll aim to arrange a sociable group meal at a local pub or restaurant, giving everyone a chance to get to know one another.

We'll also have the opportunity to head out together on Saturday evening after our day exploring Avebury.

Everyone simply pays for their own food and drinks.

Accommodation & Meals

Included:

• 2 nights' hotel accommodation at Premier Inn Marlborough

• Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings

Not included:

• Packed lunches on Saturday and Sunday

• Evening meals and drinks

Guiding & Support

Included:

• Experienced Large Outdoors walking guide throughout the weekend

• 2 days of guided walking exploring Avebury and the North Wessex Downs

• Walking routes planned and organised by your guide

Transport & Transfers

Included:

• Complimentary collection from Hungerford railway station at 17:30 on Friday, when booked in advance

• Transport between the hotel and our walking locations

• Return transfer to Hungerford railway station on Sunday, if required

Not included:

• Travel to your chosen meeting point at the start of the weekend

• Onward travel from Great Bedwyn or Hungerford at the end of the weekend

Additional Costs & Exclusions

Not included:

• Personal travel or activity insurance

• Personal purchases and other expenses during the weekend

This Avebury & North Wessex Downs Walking Weekend is graded Leisurely.

We'll enjoy two days of guided walking at a relaxed, sociable pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs, explore historic landmarks and enjoy the countryside.

Our walks are approximately 10 miles on Saturday and 6 miles on Sunday.

Terrain & Conditions

The North Wessex Downs offers a varied landscape of rolling chalk hills, open countryside, ancient pathways and peaceful woodland.

We'll follow a mixture of grassy footpaths, countryside tracks, sections of the Ridgeway and paths through historic villages and archaeological sites.

Although there are no major mountain climbs, some routes include gradual ascents and descents, uneven ground and occasional steeper sections. Paths may also be muddy or slippery after rain.

Fitness & Experience

You don't need to be an experienced walker, but you should be comfortable walking up to 10 miles over the course of a day, including some hills and uneven countryside paths.

We'll walk together at a steady pace, allowing time for breaks, photographs and exploring the fascinating historic sites along our routes.

A reasonable level of walking fitness and some experience of longer countryside walks will help you get the most from this weekend.

Walking Clothing & Footwear

The North Wessex Downs offers a mixture of rolling countryside, chalk downland, grassy footpaths and woodland tracks, with some uneven and potentially muddy sections.

We recommend bringing:

• Comfortable, waterproof walking boots or walking shoes with good grip.

• A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.

• Comfortable walking trousers or leggings.

• Warm layers, such as a fleece or insulated jacket.

• Walking socks.

• A warm hat and gloves, particularly for autumn and winter departures.

What to Carry on Walks

You'll need a comfortable day rucksack for carrying your essentials during our walks.

We suggest packing:

• A packed lunch and snacks.

• A reusable water bottle.

• Any personal medication you may need.

• A fully charged mobile phone.

• Sunglasses and sun cream, depending on the weather.

• A small personal first aid kit.

Clothing for Accommodation

The Premier Inn provides bedding and towels, so there's no need to bring these.

Pack comfortable clothes and footwear for relaxing at the hotel and joining the group for evening meals. There's no dress code.

Trip-Specific Extras

We'll be exploring ancient monuments, open downland and historic countryside, so a few extras may be useful:

• A camera or phone for photographs of Avebury's standing stones and prehistoric landmarks.

• An extra warm layer for exposed sections of the Ridgeway and stops at historic sites.

• A waterproof cover or dry bag to keep belongings dry.

• Binoculars if you enjoy spotting birds and wildlife.

• A small torch for exploring inside West Kennet Long Barrow's ancient burial chambers, as well as for darker autumn evenings.

Full Kit List

We've put together a useful walking kit list to help you prepare for your holiday.

View our full walking kit list here →

Booking Confirmation

Once you've booked, you'll receive a confirmation email with your booking details and our full booking terms.

Deposits & Balance Payments

If you've paid a deposit, we'll automatically email you a reminder when your remaining balance is due. Balances are normally due 12 weeks before departure.

Your Trip WhatsApp Group

Ahead of your trip, we'll invite you to join a dedicated WhatsApp group for your holiday.

It's a great way to say hello to your fellow walkers, ask questions and get to know everyone before you arrive. Most of our guests join us on their own, so it's a nice way to break the ice.

Joining is entirely optional.

Final Details

A couple of days before departure, we'll send you a final reminder with your guide or host's name and contact number, along with any important last-minute information.

Keeping Up to Date

Everything you need to plan your trip, including meeting locations, times, accommodation and travel arrangements, is provided on this page.

We recommend checking back here from time to time before departure, as we'll update the page if any arrangements change. You don't need to wait for your final email to organise your travel.

Can I join this walking weekend on my own?

Absolutely! Most people who join Large Outdoors book on their own, so you'll be in good company. Our weekends are designed to be friendly and sociable, with plenty of opportunities to get to know your fellow walkers.

I've never been on a guided walking weekend before. Is this suitable?

Yes! Our guide takes care of the routes and arrangements, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery, history and company. You just need to be comfortable walking the advertised distances, including Saturday's 10-mile walk.

Can we go inside West Kennet Long Barrow?

We plan to visit West Kennet Long Barrow during Saturday's walk. Its ancient burial chambers are normally accessible to visitors, and you can explore inside when conditions allow.

We recommend bringing a small torch, as the chambers can be quite dark.

Will we be able to walk among the stones at Avebury?

Yes! Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury allows visitors to walk freely among its remarkable standing stones. We'll have time to explore the stone circle and appreciate the scale of this extraordinary prehistoric site.

Will we have time to explore the historic sites?

Yes. One of the pleasures of this weekend is discovering the history along our walking routes. We'll allow time for photographs, exploring the monuments and enjoying the surroundings, although this isn't a specialist archaeological tour.

Can I skip a walk if I don't feel up to it?

Yes, you're welcome to take a day off from walking and enjoy some free time in Marlborough. Just let your guide know in advance. Please bear in mind that our transport follows the planned walking itinerary, so alternative arrangements may be at your own expense.

Can I come with a friend or partner?

Of course! You're very welcome to book together. We offer double and twin rooms for guests travelling together, as well as shared and sole occupancy options, subject to availability.

Is there much opportunity for photography?

Definitely. From Avebury's standing stones and the prehistoric landscape around Silbury Hill to the rolling countryside and Wilton Windmill, there are plenty of opportunities for landscape and historic-site photography.

We'll allow time for photographs along the walks, although we're not running a dedicated photography weekend.

What happens if the weather is poor?

We normally walk in a range of weather conditions, so come prepared with suitable waterproofs and warm layers.

If strong winds, heavy rain or ground conditions make a planned route unsuitable, your guide will choose an appropriate alternative.