The Red Lion Pub, Avebury: Only Pub Inside An Ancient Stone Circle
The Red Lion Pub at Avebury is the only pub in the world that stands inside an ancient stone circle; the largest ancient stone circle in the world!
The Red Lion, surrounded by Neolithic stone monuments and beautiful countryside, is a beautiful, postcard-perfect thatched pub that dates back to 1802.
Known for its claim as one of the most haunted pubs in the country, the pub has an exceptional feature unlike any other pub.
This includes an indoor well, now converted into a spectacular table you can enjoy a drink at, which locals have some spooky theories about!
Apparently, at least five ghosts reside in the Red Lion pub in Avebury.
Today, the pub is now Grade II listed, making it of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it.
Due to its location on a UNESCO World Heritage site, the pub is a stone's throw away from many interesting landmarks.
Nearby landmarks include the prehistoric Silbury Hill, the largest artificial chalk mound, comparable in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramid.
The equally fascinating and beautiful countryside scenery surrounding The Red Lion makes for an ideal setting to cosy up with a heart-warming meal and a glass of smooth cask ale!
The Ghosts Within
According to Haunted Britain, several ghosts are known to reside both within and without the ancient property.
Very occasionally a phantom carriage, drawn by ghostly horses, has been seen clattering across the inn's courtyard.
Successive landlords have preferred not to become acquainted with this spectral visitor, since it is a harbinger of tragedy, and means that a close relative is about to die.
Less traumatic, though equally alarming, is The Red Lion's female phantom, Florrie.
During the 17th-century English Civil War, Florrie' s husband is said to have returned unannounced from the conflict and caught his wife in the arms of another man.
He shot her lover dead and slit his wife' s throat. He then dragged her body to the well (still to be seen in one of the pub's front rooms) and, having thrown her down it, sealed it with a huge boulder.
Florrie's ghost has remained behind ever since, searching, it is said, for a man with a beard; although whether he represents her husband or her lover tends to vary with different versions of the story.
The spooky pub has even been featured on television.
British paranormal show Most Haunted once investigated the pub in the very first series of the show.
The Avebury World Heritage Site
The area around Avebury in Wiltshire contains an extraordinary cluster of monuments dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
This was a significant place for prehistoric people, who gathered here to build monuments made of earth, timber and stone for over 2,000 years.
Today, this unique landscape forms part of the UNESCO Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, reflecting its international importance.
The major monuments and Alexander Keiller Museum are jointly managed by the National Trust and English Heritage.
You can visit most of the Avebury prehistoric sites for free, and walking between them gives a good sense of the whole landscape and how these monuments were connected to one another.
In the early Neolithic period, from about 4000 BC, early farming communities were settling in the Avebury area.
Around 3670 BC, people worked together to build a huge enclosure on Windmill Hill, surrounded by three circuits of ditches.
Archaeological finds from the ditches show that people gathered on the hilltop in large numbers – to take part in ceremonies or feasts, share news and exchange goods – and had long-distance connections.
Many long barrows were also built at this time. Some had stone chambers and were used as communal tombs, such as West Kennet Long Barrow, where at least 36 men, women and children were interred.
Although burials took place there only over a short period, people continued to leave pottery, animal bones and domestic debris in the chambers long afterwards.
The Red Lion Pub has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.
One recent customer said: “I had an absolutely delightful time having dinner here sitting next to a beautiful wood fire, which was diligently reloaded with logs all throughout the night by the polite staff.
”The meal, a mushroom pie, was very delicious. The interior is amazing, true oldey worldey charm and character.
”There is even an old well with a glass top over it, all lit up.
”The mannerism of the manager Huw reflects someone who clearly takes great pride in what he does - a lovely talkative person to interact with, he made the visit that much more special.”
Another person added: “From the moment we arrived we had wonderful service. Our drinks arrived promptly whilst we chose our food.
”This also arrived quickly, piping hot & all the dishes were excellent. The pub was busy for a week night but couldn’t fault the service we received.
”I would definitely recommend The Red Lion.”
The pub also has a lovely beer garden, which is perfect for summer, and it’s dog friendly too!
According to their website, it’s open every weekday from 11am and 9am on weekends. Opening hours and services may be different from those displayed here.
Before visiting, we advise that you check ahead by phone or via social media to avoid disappointment.
If you’d like to visit, the address is: High St, Avebury, Marlborough SN8 1RF.
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