Stonehenge is a ring of standing stones on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, close to Amesbury and Salisbury, and part of a World Heritage Site. The stones stand about 13 feet high and weigh around 25 tons, and the lintels laid across them curve to follow the circle. A visitor centre with an exhibition and replica Neolithic houses sits a short shuttle ride or walk away. A path loops around the monument and brings you fairly close to the stones. Tickets are timed, so book ahead.
The monument on Salisbury Plain
Stonehenge stands alone on the wide, open grassland of Salisbury Plain. It is part of a World Heritage Site of about 6,500 acres, which also takes in Avebury, and it sits at the centre of the densest group of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England. The circle is more than 4,000 years old and was remodelled several times over its life.
The massive Sarsen stones are about 13 feet high and weigh around 25 tons, and the lintels on top are curved to follow the circle. Why it was built is still not settled, and neither is exactly how the stones were moved from far away and set upright. The site has long been tied to the solstices. Stonehenge and Avebury both fill up on the longest day as people wait for sunrise.
The visitor centre and exhibition
A modern visitor centre stands a short way from the stones. The road that once ran beside the monument has been closed and returned to grassland, which gives the circle a quieter setting.
The exhibition covers the history of the site and what archaeologists have found there, including prehistoric artefacts. A 360 degree virtual experience puts you inside the circle. Outside, replica Neolithic houses show how the people who built Stonehenge lived, and staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions and demonstrate Neolithic crafts.
The centre also has a cafe, toilets and a gift shop. The shop sells mead, which one visitor singled out as worth trying. Some visitors find the exhibition nearly as rewarding as the stones themselves, so leave time for it.
From the visitor centre to the stones
You can reach the monument by shuttle bus or on foot. Shuttles run about every five minutes, and the ride takes around four minutes. You queue at the visitor centre to board. Two lines serve the stones, so check which one you need before you join.
Walking takes about 20 to 25 minutes each way across open fields, and it is pleasant on a dry day. Many visitors ride one way and walk the other. A free audio guide works on your own device: scan the code at the site and listen as you go.
Seeing the stones up close
A pathway runs around the ring, and you can get fairly close, although you cannot walk inside the circle on a standard visit. The restriction protects a very old site for future visitors. Information boards along the path explain the history, and reading them all while walking around the stones takes about 25 minutes. You can sit in the fields nearby and picnic.
To stand inside the circle you need a Stone Circle Access Visit, which English Heritage runs, including at sunrise. These sell out early, so book well ahead.
The Stonehenge Public Access Footpath circles the monument at a distance and gives views from several angles without entering the inner circle.
Getting there and planning the day
Stonehenge is about two hours by car from London, and many visitors come on a day trip or guided tour. By train, Salisbury station connects to London Waterloo, Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St David's, and you continue by bus or tour. By car, parking is at the visitor centre. English Heritage members get free parking and entry.
Tickets are issued for timed entry, so choose your slot in advance. If you come on a coach tour, check how long it allows, because one hour is tight for the exhibition and the stones together. The site is also close to Salisbury, which has a cathedral and medieval streets, and a visit combines easily with a lunch stop there.
FAQ
Do you need to book Stonehenge tickets in advance?
Yes. Admission is by timed ticket, and booking well ahead is recommended, especially in peak season. Members of English Heritage get free entry.
Can you walk inside the stone circle?
Not on a standard visit. A path circles the stones and brings you fairly close. To enter the circle you need a Stone Circle Access Visit, including sunrise visits, which are booked in advance.
How do you get from the visitor centre to the stones?
Take the shuttle bus, which runs about every five minutes and takes around four minutes, or walk for 20 to 25 minutes across the fields.
Are dogs allowed at Stonehenge?
Dogs are not permitted in the monument field, except assistance dogs. Trails nearby are open to dogs.
How do you get to Stonehenge from London?
By car it takes about two hours. By train, go to Salisbury station, which connects to London Waterloo, then continue by bus or tour. Guided day trips from London are also common.
