Visit Stonehenge And The Neolithic Circle At Nearby Avebury

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People have puzzled over Stonehenge for centuries, speculating and dreaming about it, drawing and painting it, trying to make sense of it. This is the story of the one real Stonehenge, as well as the many unreal Stonehenges that archaeologists, tourists, mystics, astronomers, artists and poets have made out of it.
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Nobody really knows who built Stonehenge or why they put so much effort into doing so.

What makes the construction of the stone circles all the more remarkable is that none of the stones were found locally.

Many of the giant stones you will see come from hundreds of miles away in the Preseli Mountains of South Wales and the larger stones, weighing as much as 45 tonnes each, had to be transported 20 miles from the Marlborough Downs. We still don’t know how prehistoric man achieved this, but one thing is for certain. Only a highly organised society could have transported the stones over the vast distances involved and only a sophisticated one could have arranged them so perfectly in relation to the rising and setting sun. And this thousands of years before the Romans brought “civilisation” to these shores.

Stonehenge stands on 1,500 acres of land near Amesbury in Wiltshire and if you visit during good weather you can explore not only Stonehenge, but also the many other prehistoric sites in the area.

The summer months also attract vast crowds so the best time to visit during July and August is at opening time or the hour before closing. Ordinarily, you are not allowed to enter the circle itself, but you can do so if you apply in advance to English Heritage and can visit when Stonehenge is closed to the general public.

Stonehenge is now a World Heritage site as is the Neolithic stone circle at Avebury, 20 miles to the north. If you are visiting, Stonehenge, make time to go to Avebury too. The henge there is the largest in Europe and what is left of what was a vast stone circle that partially encloses the village of Avebury itself!

Stonehenge is open to the public throughout the year except between Christmas and New Year. Admission costs £6.90 for adults and £3.50 for children (2010).

You can visit Stonehenge and over 400 other English Heritage proprties for just £44 a year - and take up to six children (up to 19 years of age) from your family free with English Heritage Membership.


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