The National Trust commissioned Noll Countryside Services to undertake the restoration of footpaths at one of Britain’s most renowned historical sites, Avebury. This site boasts the world’s largest megalithic stone circle and holds significance as both a tourist attraction and a place of religious importance for contemporary pagans.
Constructed over several centuries in the third millennium BC during the Neolithic, or New Stone Age, the monument consists of a substantial henge (comprising a bank and a ditch) with a large outer stone circle and two smaller stone circles positioned within the monument’s central area.
Working on a site with the highest level of monument protection necessitates a highly specialised approach. No excavation can occur without archaeological supervision, and great care must be exercised when removing materials to prevent any potential disturbance of artifacts that may have surfaced.
Following thorough discussions outlining the approach to working on this World Heritage Site, we diligently adhered to a detailed specification. The National Trust placed considerable importance on the removal of existing paths, including deteriorated wooden edging, and the responsible disposal of waste in an ecologically friendly manner.
Our subsequent task involved the replacement of guide planks and steps precisely in the original path locations to avoid any disruption to the soil. The oak timbers, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), were responsibly sourced from sustainable forests. The well-draining base material was covered with crushed limestone, creating a solid and aesthetically pleasing surface that ensures effective drainage.
