Mysterious prehistoric monument dating back 5,000 years, featuring massive standing stones arranged in a circular pattern. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most famous landmarks, its purpose remains debated by scholars.
Stonehenge stands on Salisbury Plain near Amesbury in Wiltshire, England, and is among the best-known prehistoric monuments in the world. The first earthwork was dug about 5,000 years ago, and the great sarsen uprights and lintels were raised around 2500 BC, with smaller bluestones brought from the Preseli Hills in Wales. The site is part of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site and is managed by English Heritage. Visitors arrive at a modern visitor centre about 1.5 miles from the stones, where an exhibition displays Neolithic tools, reconstructed Neolithic houses and a 360-degree film of the stones through the seasons. A shuttle bus or a walk across the grassland takes visitors to the circle, which is viewed from a path around the monument rather than touched. The walk around the stones takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and a full visit including the exhibition and the reconstructed houses lasts two to three hours. The best photographs are taken from the northeast side in the morning with the sun behind the camera, or from the far side of the circle at sunset when the light turns the stones gold. Visitors cannot walk among the stones on a standard ticket, but English Heritage runs a limited number of special access visits outside normal hours, usually at sunrise or sunset, which must be booked well ahead. Entry is by timed ticket and the site is busiest between 10:30 and 14:00, in summer and during school holidays and at the summer solstice, when thousands gather. Early morning or late afternoon visits are noticeably quieter. The A303 passes close to the site, and traffic can slow arrivals, so a margin of time before the ticket slot is wise. Bath, Salisbury and Avebury make natural pairings for a day trip.
| Admission | Adult £25.00 · Child £15.00 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 09:30-17:00 (extended summer hours) |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Address | Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7DE |
Good to know
- Best for
- history buffs, photographers, day trippers from London
Location
Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7DE
51.1789, -1.8262 View on map
Highlights
- Sarsen circle and trilithons raised around 2500 BC
- Visitor centre exhibition with Neolithic objects and a 360-degree film
- Reconstructed Neolithic houses outside the visitor centre
- Special access visits to stand inside the circle at sunrise or sunset
- Views of burial barrows and the Avenue across Salisbury Plain
Tips for visiting
- Book timed entry tickets well in advance, especially in summer
- Combine with a visit to nearby Bath for a full day trip
- Special access tours allow you to walk among the stones at sunrise or sunset
When to visit
Early morning or late afternoon on a weekday in spring or autumn gives the best light and the smallest crowds. Midday in July and August is the busiest period.
Accessibility
The visitor centre, exhibition and shuttle bus are step-free, and the path around the stones is mostly firm and level, though it can be uneven in wet weather. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on request and the shuttle buses carry wheelchair users.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Stonehenge take?
Allow two to three hours. The walk around the stones takes 30 to 45 minutes, and the exhibition and Neolithic houses fill most of the remaining time.
Can visitors touch or walk among the stones?
Not on a standard ticket. A path circles the monument, and English Heritage offers limited special access visits inside the circle outside normal opening hours.
Is Stonehenge worth it for kids?
Many families find it worthwhile because of the reconstructed houses and hands-on exhibits, though younger children may find the stone circle itself brief. Children's tickets are cheaper.