Stonehenge is one of the most famous World Heritage Sites. The stones date from about 2500BC and there are still many unanswered questions about who built the stone circle and why! Visiting Stonehenge is easily done in a day from London. This guide will give you all the information you need to explore the Stones and Visitor Centre.
Why visit Stonehenge?
It is one of the world’s most iconic prehistoric monuments. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient history with mysteries still unsolved about how it was made and who actually built it. Some of the stones came from the Preseli Hills in Wales over 250km away. New research also suggests that the Altar Stone at the heart of Stonehenge actually came from Scotland about 700km away.
Stonehenge Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is next to the car park about 2km from the Stones themselves. You definitely need to make time to explore the exhibits on offer which explain the history of the site and have interactive displays to keep children amused. Outside of the Exhibition, there are traditional round houses in a mock village which you can walk around. We spent about an hour looking around the visitor centre before heading off to see the Stones. To access the visitor centre and walk to the Stones, you do not need to purchase a ticket. If you want to get closer to the Stones, then you need to pay for a ticket to receive a wristband.
Getting to the Stone Circle
From the visitor centre, you have two options: walk 2km across flat fields or to take the shuttle bus if you have paid for a ticket. It is a very pleasant walk, taking about 30 minutes but it might be easier if you have children to take the bus! I tried to bribe my children with an ice cream if they walked at least one way and utterly failed.
When you have reached the Bus turning area, you need to show your wristband to get onto the path around Stonehenge. Here you can spend as long as you want to walk around the Stone Circle. There will no doubt be crowds of people, but as they are spread out it should not be a problem for taking photos.
Is Stonehenge Pet Friendly?
Yes and No. You can have your dogs with you around the visitor centre but not in the Exhibition rooms. You can walk to Stonehenge across the fields with a dog but cannot enter the Stone Circle and Monument field.
If you are bringing a dog, then it is still worth visiting but I wouldn’t pay for a ticket. You can walk to the Stones and stay outside the paid-entry Monument field and still get a great view.
Is Stonehenge worth visiting?
This really depends on how interested in history you are. I found it fascinating to wander around the Stone Circle and imagining what it must have been like all those years ago. How did they move those Stones?
If you are visiting London for just a few days, then I would suggest not making the trip out to Stonehenge. Save it for a longer trip when you can combine a visit with Bath or travel further on towards Devon or Cornwall. There are many tours from London that will take you to Stonehenge on the same day as Bath or Windsor. I would not recommend booking a tour which visits all three in a day. You won’t spend long enough in each place.
Read more: Get Your Guide tours to Stonehenge
Read more: Viator tours to Stonehenge
Stonehenge Location
Just off the A303, north of Salisbury about 2 ½ hour drive from London.
Read more: Stonehenge on Google maps (to the Visitor centre car park)
Getting to Stonehenge
It is an easy drive but the A303 is renowned for traffic jams so do allow plenty of time.
There is a direct train from Waterloo Train station in London to Salisbury then a 30 minute bus journey to the Visitor Centre. The bus has option for the journey only, or for a ticket to include entry into Stonehenge itself.
Read more: The Stonehenge Bus Tour from Salisbury Train Station
Opening Hours
Stonehenge is open every day from 9.30am to 7pm with the last entry at 5pm. In the months it is perfect for seeing the sun set.
On the Summer and Winter solstice each year, the site is open for people to celebrate but there are strict rules.
Tickets
I would suggest booking online and saving 15% on the walk up ticket price. If you are close to your booked slot then they are very flexible. If you are a member of English Heritage or National Trust then you receive free entry with your membership card.
Toilets
There are plenty of toilets at the Visitor Centre but none at the Stone Circle.
Eating and Drinking
There is a lovely café at the Visitor Centre and and ice-cream stall. There are plenty of places to eat your own food too. Within the cafe is an area to fill up water bottles and a microwave to heat up baby food.
Car Parking
A huge pay and display car park is close to the Visitor centre although members park for free.
Accessibility
The whole site is accommodating to wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are even schedules sign language tours throughout the year.
Top Tips:
Download the free audio tour before you go on either the App Store or Google Play. There are no audio tours available once you reach the Visitor Centre.
