Gorgeous village with its own Stonehenge and the 'UK's best beer garden'

It's perfect for an autumn day out

The incredible stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury are a majestic sight drawing tourists in the thousands every year. However, you don't have to travel too far to find some alternative prehistoric gems perfect for explorers young and old.

Nestled in a small, picturesque village, Stanton Drew, in Somerset, is an ideal destination for an autumn day out. Not only does this village boast the third-largest collection of prehistoric standing stones in England, but its also close to charming country pubs receiving top-notch reviews.

English Heritage notes that Stanton Drew still proudly displays 26 upright stones, yet it remains surprisingly little known when contrasted with the more frequented sites in Wiltshire. For those considering a trip, you can even start in Pensford, celebrated for its impressive viaduct, and visit The Rising Sun pub with reputedly the 'best beer garden' in the UK, reports SomersetLive.

Mapped out conveniently by the local parish council, visitors can embark on a scenic five-mile circular route that meanders through open fields and trails along the River Chew. Come late spring, these riverbank meadows blossom with dandelions and buttercups, and sheep can often be seen grazing upon the hillside.

The trail guides you through a woodland, past a quaint weir and along a path opposite a luxurious shepherd's hut that is available for rent. There are shorter routes between the stone circles and Pensford, but this one also takes you via the Carpenters Arms at Stanton Wick, as reports Wiltshire Live. A Google reviewer praised it as "without doubt our favourite pub within reasonable driving distance from home in Bristol".

The directions include a list of intriguing landmarks and historical facts about points you'll pass along the way. The parish council's guide explains the village name: "Stanton Drew was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Stantone, meaning 'the stone enclosure with an oak tree' from the Old English stan and tun and from the Celtic deru."

"After the Norman Conquest, the Lords of the Manor took their name from the village. One of the family Drogo or Drew gave his name to the place to distinguish it from Stanton Prior and Stanton Wick. It was commemorated by Adge Cutler in his song 'When the Common Market comes to Stanton Drew'."

The guide emphasises how Stanton Wick used to be a significant mining area, home to small 'bell pits' and then Bromley Pit which closed in 1957. The Carpenters Arms is believed to have originally been a row of cottages for the men who worked at the mines.

For those who enjoy a refreshing walk in the countryside, complete with historical landmarks and welcoming pubs at each end, Stanton Drew is an ideal destination. A recent visitor named James shared his experience on Google Reviews: "Very quiet and undisturbed. Comes with none of the business of all the popular places like Stonehenge. Free with £1 honesty box and roughly five parking spaces."

Chris, another visitor, commented: "Very interesting, seems magical and mystic, got lost for an hour just wandering around trying to work out how the stones got there."