URPoint Details
A town most famous for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is in its parish, and for the discovery of the Amesbury Archer—dubbed the King of Stonehenge in the press—in 2002. It has been confirmed by archaeologists that it is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United Kingdom, having been first settled around 8820 BC
King Alfred the Great left it in his will, a copy of which is in the British Library, to his youngest son Aethelweard (c.880-922).
Eleanor of Provence, Queen consort of Henry III of England, died in Amesbury on 24 or 25 June 1291, and was buried in Amesbury Priory.
Set in a bend of the River Avon crossed by a five arched bridge the town has many wonderful sights to be seen apart from the prehistoric.
Amesbury Abbey is built on the site of an earlier priory and where it is said that Queen Guinevere retired to hearing of King Arthur’s death.
The Church of St Mary and St Melor is a cruciform Grade I listed and dates from the 12th century Early English style but was restored by William Butterfield in 1852-3.
- Type:
- Landmark