Motorhome magic: A road trip through megalithic sites of Somerset & Wiltshire

There’s nothing quite like the freedom of hitting the open road in your motorhome, exploring the historic landscapes of the UK at your own pace. A motorhome adventure offers the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, and convenience, allowing you to travel from site to site with ease while enjoying all the modern amenities of your home on wheels. If you’re looking for an unforgettable road trip that combines history, mystery, and breath-taking scenery, then a journey through the megalithic wonders of Somerset and Wiltshire is just the ticket.

These two counties are rich with ancient stone circles, barrows, and other prehistoric landmarks that offer a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s distant past. With your motorhome, you have the unique advantage of parking up close to these incredible sites, immersing yourself in their atmosphere before retreating to your cosy vehicle for a restful evening. In this blog, we’ll guide you through some of the must-see megalithic sites, their historical significance, and the best nearby motorhome-friendly campsites where you can stay. Whether you’re a seasoned motorhome traveller or new to the experience, this journey will take you on an unforgettable ride through history, all from the comfort of your home on wheels.

No exploration of Britain’s megalithic sites would be complete without a visit to Stonehenge. This globally famous place is located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, and dates to around 2500 BC. Its exact purpose remains a subject of ongoing debate, with various theories ranging from it having been an astronomical observatory, a ceremonial site, a temple or civic and community meeting place to which people would flock. Recent research suggests that the Altar Stone at Stonehenge originated from the north-east of Scotland, highlighting the extensive effort involved in its construction.

• Location: Grid Reference SU 122 422
• Campsite: Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping Pods is an award-winning campsite just a short three-and-a-half mile drive from Stonehenge, offering camping and glamping plus pitches suitable for motorhomes. There is a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.

Second only to Stonehenge in terms of its renown as an important UK site, though in its own way offering much more mystery and atmosphere, Avebury in Wiltshire is another must-see. This small village boasts the largest stone circle in Europe, encircling part of the village itself. Constructed around 2600 BC, the site includes multiple stone circles and an enigmatic avenues of stones. Unlike Stonehenge, visitors can wander freely amongst the Avebury stones, absorbing the site’s atmosphere. Avebury was used as a location in the cult 1970s kids TV drama Children Of The Stones, a not-really-for-kids atmospheric mystery which remains a favourite amongst modern antiquarians.

• Location: Grid Reference SU 099 700
• Campsite: There are various campsites within easy distance of Avebury, with Postern Hill only six miles away. Offering motorhome pitches and within a good leg stretch of of Avebury, it’s an ideal base for exploration.

Close by Avebury lies Silbury Hill – the largest artificial mound in Europe. It stands at 131 feet and covers an area of around 5 acres. It’s a truly remarkable landmark, lying right next to the A4 and sitting mysteriously in the skyline. It’s believed to have been constructed around 4,600 years ago (during the late Neolithic period), though its purpose remains a mystery. Theories over time have suggested it could have had some ceremonial or religious significance, perhaps related to ancient agricultural practices, or that it may have some sort of direct connection to the nearby stone circles at Avebury and the long barrow at West Kennet, across the road.

• Location: Grid Reference SU 100 685
• Campsite: See the Avebury campsite recommendations.

A very short walk from Silbury Hill is West Kennet Long Barrow. This is one of Britain’s largest and best-preserved Neolithic chambered tombs and is one of the largest and most well-preserved long barrows in Britain, measuring 131 feet in length. Is this length somehow connected to the height of Silbury Hill? The internal chamber consists of a series of large stones and is oriented toward the midsummer sunset, with the entrance marked by two massive portal stones. The barrow was used for collective burials, with the remains of several individuals found within during archaeology at the site.

• Location: Grid Reference SU 104 677
• Campsite: See the Avebury campsite recommendations.

Moving into Somerset, the Stanton Drew complex comprises three stone circles, with the Great Circle being the second largest in Britain after Avebury. The stones, some of which are massive, are thought to date back to around 3,000 BCE. The site also includes a nearby stone avenue and other smaller monuments, which suggest it may have had ceremonial or ritualistic significance. Stanton Drew is less famous than either Stonehenge or Avebury but is an important example of Britain’s ancient heritage.

• Location: Grid Reference ST 600 633
• Campsite: Bath Chew Valley Park is an adult-only park offering well-maintained facilities and is a short drive from Stanton Drew, so it’s a convenient base for your megalithic explorations! Facilities include hardstanding pitches with hook-up, plus clothes washing, chemical toilet disposal and an internet kiosk.

Both Somerset and Wiltshire are rich in local customs and traditions, many of which are celebrated with annual events. You can visit many of these during a motorhome break.

• Glastonbury: Held each June near the mythical town of Glastonbury, Somerset, this world-famous music festival also celebrates local culture and traditions. Nearby Glastonbury Tor is said to be where the Holy Grail lies, brought to England by Jesus’ uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. The Grail was an object of quest for King Arthur and his knights. You’re probably not going to find it while you’re at the festival on Worthy Farm, as you’ll be too busy boogying to some banging beats.

• Devizes International Street Festival: This event each August is a more modern phenomenon, held in the historic market town of Devizes, Wiltshire, that celebrates street performance and the arts. The festival features circus acts, live music, dance, comedy and street theatre, and attracts artists and visitors from around the world. It transforms the streets, squares and parks of Devizes into vibrant spaces for entertainment. It’s free to attend, and offers an exciting cultural experience for all ages.
• Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival: One of the largest and most spectacular illuminated processions in Europe is held annually in Bridgwater, Somerset. On the first Saturday of November a carnival commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. The carnival, which has been running annually since the early 19th century, features intricately designed floats adorned with thousands of lights, as well as marching bands, performers and dramatic displays. Participants dress in elaborate costumes, and the procession culminates in a massive bonfire and fireworks.

There are more impressive ancient sites worth visiting, across the UK, if you want to expand the scope of your megalithic motorhome trip. A couple of our favourites are not too far from the ones we’ve already mentioned.

Though it’s not a standing stone circle, nor officially in Wiltshire or Somerset, the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset is still an important ancient site and is very close by on this motorhome road trip. This striking hill figure is carved into the chalk hillside, and ‘stands’ 180 feet tall, head to toe. Depicting a large human figure with exaggerated features, including a large club, the giant’s origins are uncertain. Theories range from ancient prehistoric to more recent times, possibly even as late as the 17th century. The giant is often associated with fertility rituals, but it’s true purpose remains a mystery.

• Location: Grid Reference ST 666 015
• Campsite: Long Hazel Park, located in Sparkford, offers motorhome pitches and is within easy driving distance of the giant as well as other attractions in the area.

Located on the border of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, the Rollright Stones are a fascinating collection of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. The site comprises three main elements: The King’s Men stone circle, the Whispering Knights burial chamber, and the King Stone. These formations are steeped in local folklore, with tales of petrified knights and supernatural occurrences adding to the mystery. For sci-fi fans the site provides significance as classic 1978 Doctor Who story The Stones Of Blood, starring Tom Baker, was filmed here.

• Location: Grid Reference SP 296 308
• Campsite: Cotswolds Hill Country Park is a peaceful site offering a perfect base for those exploring the area’s ancient sites, thought there are several other worthy places to park and pitch up too.

If you’re looking for the perfect motorhome to embark on your journey through Somerset and Wiltshire, Chelston Motorhomes is a fantastic place to start. Located in Wellington, we offer a wide selection of new and used motorhomes to suit all needs and budgets, and our expert team can provide you with valuable advice on choosing just the right vehicle for your travels. So, pack your essentials, map out your adventure, and set off to uncover the megalithic marvels of the Southwest!