Arbor low viewed from the air.
Nearly every feature of the henge is visible in this aerial photo taken from the
NW.
Most henge monuments have their ditch inside the bank, which clearly
differentiates them from defensive earthworks. Access to the central area of henges is
usually via causewayed entrances, Arbor Low has two of these, NW (bottom)
and SE (top), although the entrances are aligned their axis is offset from the
henge
centre. The stone circle on the henge's central plateau was almost
certainly originally erect, as were the stones of the "cove" setting at its
centre. It is thought that
two entrances may have been flanked by tall portal stones, the one remaining
candidate can be seen lying fallen on the right side of the top entrance.
At the top right a shallow bank and ditch runs away from the henge bank, this is
known as "The Avenue", it is not thought to be a part of the henge monument.
The large "bump" on the henge bank at the SE (top left) is a barrow
built after the henge was completed, as can be seen, the bank was robbed to
build it.
Our thanks to Pete Glastonbury for the use of his excellent photo.