What is Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument made of a ring of large standing stones in the countryside. So…at its most basic, it’s a bunch of rocks…in the middle of a pasture. They are very, very cool rocks, though! Especially considering the mystery surrounding how and why they ended up there.
Where is Stonehenge? (And how long does it take to get there?)
Stonehenge is located near Salisbury, which is approximately 90 miles west of London. In general it will take about 2 hours to get there from the city.
How to get to Stonehenge
There are several options for travelling to Stonehenge.
If you want to travel independently, one of the easiest ways to get to Stonehenge is to take the train from London to Salisbury, then catch a shuttle bus out to the site for an additional fee. You can even bundle your shuttle fare with the entry fee for the site (as well as other sites in the area) to make things even easier.
It is always an option to drive to Stonehenge. If you’re going to rent a car, it’s advisable to do so from the outskirts of London so that you miss the majority of the traffic (and central London’s congestion charge).
If you don’t want to have to worry about anything, you might want to consider taking a group tour from London. Both large bus tours and small group tours are available. These include your transport to and from Stonehenge in an air-conditioned vehicle. Try to pick a tour with the least number of pick up and drop off locations to minimize your time driving around London.
The Stonehenge experience
There’s more to Stonehenge than just the stone circle. The site also includes a visitor’s center and lots of beautiful land to explore if you so desire. But most people go for the stone circle…and that’s alright! A simple visit to walk around the stones and take pictures will last about 1-2 hours depending on your level of interest. Your entry ticket includes an audio guide to give you some more information about the site as you tour the stone circle.
It’s important to know that you cannot get up close to the stones on a regular visit. There is a low rope that keeps you back away from the stones without interfering with photos.
If you do want to walk amongst the stones, there are limited special access visits outside of the site’s normal operating hours. Even then, you won’t be able to touch the stones as doing so damages the monument.
Other things to do in the area
The best way to get the most out of your trip to Stonehenge is to combine it with other sites in the area. Locally, you might want to check out the Salisbury Cathedral, which houses one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, or Old Sarum, the ruins of a settlement that has been used by a variety of different people since about 500 BC.
Outside of Salisbury, there are a number of places that pair well with Stonehenge. Consider a trip to Bath, Glastonbury, Avebury, Lacock, or Windsor.
Is it worth it?
The answer to that question is going to be a bit different for everyone and often depends on your interests and travel itinerary. If you have room in your schedule for a day trip outside of London…and have an interest in history and/or archeology…consider taking a trip to Stonehenge and one or two of the surrounding sites. If your schedule is cramped…or you’re not so sure about seeing some rocks in a field…you might be better off spending your time somewhere else. You don’t *have* to go to Stonehenge just because you’re in England.
For me, my trip to Stonehenge was well worth it. I love the mystery surrounding the stones and seeing them in person was an incredible experience. While I usually travel independently, I did opt for a small group tour with International Friends so that I didn’t have to worry about transportation. Our tour also stopped at Glastonbury and Avebury, both of which were great experiences in themselves.
