Have you ever dreamed of visiting Stonehenge? Well, you're not alone! Stonehenge is not just any old monument; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and looked after by English Heritage. Nestled in the charming county of Wiltshire, it's a stone's throw (pun intended) away from the historic city of Salisbury.
For many of us, a trip to Stonehenge is a must-do when exploring the UK. In fact, approximately 800,000 people, including both international tourists and locals, make their way to this iconic site every year. If you happen to be in London, the good news is that getting to Stonehenge is a breeze. A mere 2 1/2-hour train ride will whisk you away to this ancient wonder, making it the perfect candidate for a day trip. And if you're short on time or prefer guided adventures, you'll discover that tour operators often bundle Stonehenge with other fantastic destinations like Bath, Windsor, and the enchanting Cotswolds.
But wait, there's more! To make your visit truly epic, we've got you covered with practical info, personal advice, and handy tips in this article. From navigating your way there by car or train to a handpicked list of top-notch day tours departing from London, we've got all the info to help you plan your Stonehenge adventure like a pro. So, let's dive in and get your trip started!
History
Stonehenge is an iconic prehistoric monument located on Salisbury Plain in England. Its history is shrouded in mystery, but here's a brief summary about how the stone circle came to existence.
Stonehenge's origins date back to around 3100 BC, with the construction of the circular earthwork enclosure known as the "Henge". Over the centuries, it evolved into its more recognizable form. The monument primarily consists of large standing stones arranged in a circular pattern, with horizontal lintels perched on top.
The exact purpose of Stonehenge remains a subject of debate among archaeologists and historians. It's believed to have served multiple functions over its long history, including as an astronomical observatory for tracking celestial events like solstices and as a religious or ceremonial site. The significance of its alignment with the sun and the moon adds to its enigmatic aura.
Stonehenge saw multiple phases of construction and modification, spanning centuries. It likely had different cultural and religious meanings for the various societies that used it. Today, it stands as an enduring symbol of human ingenuity and the mysteries of our ancient past, attracting visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its awe-inspiring presence.
A few fun facts
The average Stonehenge stone weighs 25 tonnes. The largest stone, the Heel Stone, weighs about 36 tonnes.
Some of the stones are even bigger than they look! 2.13m of Stone 56, the tallest standing stone on the site, is buried underground – in total it measures 8.71 metres from base to tip.
Some of the stones stones travelled 240km to reach the site. They were brought from the Preseli Hills in south-west Wales, probably largely by boat.
Stonehenge was once sold at an auction. In 1915, it was purchased for £6,600 by local business man Cecil Chubb, who came to the auction to buy some dining chairs. Three years later Chubb gave the monument to the nation, to be cared for by the then Ministry of Works.
Highlights
When you are visiting the Stonehenge site, make sure to look out for the following sights:
Stonehenge Exhibition - The visitor center provides an interactive exhibition that sheds light on the history, construction, and cultural significance of Stonehenge. Displays include artifacts, models, and explanations of various theories.
Neolithic Village - Outside the visitor centre you can find a few replica Neolithic houses which offer insight into the lives of the people who might have built Stonehenge. These recreations showcase ancient building techniques and daily life. Ycan try to move a Sarsen stone
Stone Circle - The iconic stone circle is the centerpiece. It's made up of massive stones, some well above 8m tall and weighing up to 25 tonnes each. Their arrangement is an ancient engineering marvel.
The Heel Stone and Avenue - The Heel Stone stands just outside the main circle and aligns with the avenue that leads up to Stonehenge. This alignment is believed to have had ceremonial or astronomical significance.
Want to see more?
Not getting enough of the Neolithic marvels? There is plenty more history you can explore in the vicinity of Stonehenge!
Old Sarum - If medieval history is your jam, you’ve gotta swing by Old Sarum. It’s got the remains of an Iron Age hillfort and an old royal castle. You can wander around the castle ruins, and trust me, it’s a trip back in time.
Woodhenge - Ever wondered what Stonehenge’s wooden cousin looks like? Head northeast, and you’ll find Woodhenge. Instead of massive stones, this place had wooden posts in circles. Talk about a different kind of ancient vibe!
Avebury - This place is Europe’s grandest stone circle. And the best part? You can freely wander among these big standing stones. Plus, there are more ancient sites like burial mounds and Silbury Hill waiting to be explored.
Getting around
At the Stonehenge visitor center, after obtaining your tickets and exploring the exhibition, you have a couple of options to get to the stone circle:
Shuttle service - The most common way to get from the visitor center to the stone circle is by using the shuttle service provided. This service is designed to minimize the impact of visitor traffic on the ancient site. Visitors board a shuttle bus that takes them from the visitor center to a drop-off point near the stone circle. From there, it’s a short walk along a designated path to the viewing area around the stones.
Walking - Alternatively, you have the option to walk from the visitor center to the stone circle. There's a pathway available, leading you directly to the stone circle area. It's about a 30-minute walk, allowing you to soak in the surrounding landscape and appreciate the gradual approach to this historic monument. Walking paths are clearly marked and maintained for visitors' convenience and to protect the archaeological site.
With a normal ticket, it is not possible to access the inside of the stone circle, you can only see it from behind barriers, and walk along a circle path that runs all around. A regular visit, including exploring the visitor center, the exhibition, and viewing the stone circle from the designated paths, typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Getting there
Car
The quickest way for traveling to Stonehenge is by (rental) car. When we visited, we were on our way back to London from a weekend trip to Bath. From Bath, it took us about an hour to reach the Stonehenge Visitor Centre in the morning on a Bank Holiday. Our trip back to London took a bit longer, about 3hrs, mostly due to heavy traffic and lots of people going back into the city after a bank holiday weekend.
Stonehenge is located just off the A303 and the exit is clearly signposted. Depending on the time, you might hit a bit of traffic on the A303 as the Stones are visible from the road and do often times cause a bit of congestion there. There is a parking next to the Visitor Centre. During peak times, there is a parking charge to non-members and those who have not prebooked tickets which is fully refundable on purchase of a ticket to Stonehenge. When I visited (a bank holiday during summer) we could simply drive up the parking and there was still plenty of space, even though we arrived around noon.
Public Transit
The easiest way to get to Stonehenge by public transit is to take a train to Salisbury, and then take a local bus to the site (check this website for up to date bus information). There are regular trains to Salibury from London, Bristol, Bath and Southampton.
Tours
Several tour operators offer day trips to Stonehenge and other sights from London. Here are a few popular choices:
This tour offers a full-day coach trip to Bath and Stonehenge from London Victoria. Included is the ticket to the Jane Austen Museum and Roman Baths in Bath, as well as the entree fee to Stonehenge.
If you'd like to include a visit to Windsor Castle, this tour covering Bath, Stonehenge and Windsor may be a good option for you.
Entry
Tickets
The entry fee for Stonehenge depends on when you're planning to visit. As you'd expect, at more popular times, you will pay the highest fee. Stonehenge operates a Standard, Off-peak and Peak pricing structure. Here you can find the ticket fee for 1 adult (other fees apply for children 5-17, students and seniors 65+. Children 0-4 go free):
Peak (Sat-Sun: Jun to Aug) GBP 29.00 (Online: GBP 26.30)
Standard (Mon-Fri: Jun to Aug & Sat-Sun: Sep to May) GBP 26.00 (Online: GBP 23.60)
Off-Peak (Mon-Fri: Sep - May) GBP 23.00 (Online: GBP 20.90)
As member of English Heritage you can enter Stonehenge for free. If you are planning to visit more sites included within the membership (you have all year to do so), this may be a good option for you to look into (GBP 69.00 individual or GBP 120.00 as a couple living at the same address).
Advance booking is not a necessity, however you will get a cheaper price (-10% when booking your ticket online) and entry is guaranteed with a pre-booked ticket. English Heritage members are also advised to pre-book their ticket when planning a visit during peak times.
A paid ticket to Stonehenge gives you access to the Exhibition, shuttle bus transportation to the stones and closer access to the stone circle. The gift shop, toilets and cafe are free to enter if you are not buying a ticket to Stonehenge.
Please mind that a 'normal' ticket does NOT give you access to the inside of the world famous stone circle. If this is a must-do on your bucket list, you will need to book a Stone Circle Experience ticket (GBP 59.00). These tickets allow a small group (max 26 people) a close-up view to Stonehenge. Stone Circle Experience visits take up about 1 hr and typically take place before or after opening times. Book your ticket here. Make sure to book well in advance as these sell out quickly!
Opening Times
The entry times to Stonehenge vary by season. It is open seven days a week, from 9h30 AM to 5h00 PM and to 7h00 PM during the summer months of June, July and August. The last admissiong is 2hrs before closing time. Stonehenge is open to the public on every day of the year, except for Christmas day.
Visit Stonehenge for free
Did you know it is also possible to visit Stonehenge for free? Most of us will assume you need a ticket to see the Stones, since it is an English Heritage site, however you can visit without having to spend a single penny!
Stonehenge is located on a heritage trail, which is open to the public and free to access, which makes it completely legal to visit Stonehenge without purchasing a ticket.
The most popular free route starts on Fargo Road, where you can park your car for free. At the intersection with Willoughby Road, start heading south via the public byway. As soon as you’ve walked through the open gates of the byway, you can see Stonehenge in the distance. You are walking also alongside Stonehenge Cursus, another heritage site.
Alternatively, you can park your car next to the visitor centre and continue the 30 minute walk to reach the stones (you'll need a valid ticket to use the shuttle bus service).
With both alternatives, you will eventually arrive at the area where the other visitors are being dropped off by the shuttle buses. There you will see the normal entrance, with people checking tickets, and next to it a small gate that marks the public pathway.
You obviously can’t walk through the normal entrance without a ticket, but you can walk along the public pathway for cyclists and pedestrians which is right next to it. Again, this is not illegal as it’s public land and you can walk here free of charge.
The public path is only a few metres away from the observation path, so you are essentially seeing the same view. The paid observation path does allow you to go all the way around the stones, whereas the free path only allows you to view one side. On the other hand, it's possible to see the stones outside the visiting hours on the public path, so this may be a good option for you if you are an early bird and want to view the Neolithic wonder before 9h30 AM.
Practical tips
Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in England, which means the weather can be quite unpredictable. Layering is your best friend here. Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the site, and don't forget to carry a light rain jacket just in case.
The best time of the day to visit Stonehenge are the “golden hours” around sunrise and sunset. This time makes for the most beautiful, most dramatic photos and as a bonus you avoid the crowds between 11h00 AM and 2h00 PM.
And there you have it, a little guide to visiting Stonehenge! Let us know if you have any other tips on what to see or do in the area!
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