Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage site, around 5500 years old stone circle with an air of mystery that surrounds how or why it was built.
This unique architectural structure and English heritage attract around 800,000 tourists from all over the world and that speaks volumes of how eager visitors are to be part of this otherworldly attraction.
Visiting Stonehenge needs preparation and research. If you’re someone who does not want to find yourself being overwhelmed by a huge crowd or experiencing anxiety during your trip, then this guide on how to visit Stonehenge can save you from all the trouble.
Let’s go ahead and take a look at all the important details that will serve as your ultimate guide on how to visit Stonehenge.
Stonehenge Location
It is essential to know about the location of Stonehenge so that you can prepare better when it comes to your travel time and accommodation.
Stonehenge is located in the county of Wiltshire in Salisbury Plain in England and the Southeast of Bath in England. The location of Stonehenge is quite remote and visitors often wonder about how to get to Stonehenge, we’ll cover more on that in a second.
Best Time and Date to Visit Stonehenge
If you’re planning to visit Stonehenge, knowing when to visit is crucial especially if you’re determined to avoid huge crowds.
The summer solstice, from July to mid-September, is the busiest time when tourists flock to the popular stone circle. The best seasons to visit are Spring and Autumn months when fewer crowds would visit.
If you’re planning to visit during the winter solstice be prepared for the cold and use winter-appropriate clothing.
When it comes to time, the recommended time to visit Stonehenge is early in the morning when the site opens usually at around 9:30 in the morning, and two hours before the site closes. The site usually closes at 7 in the evening. You can visit the English Heritage Site to check the updated opening and closing times.
The times to avoid are between 10 AM and 12 PM when tourists on tours would usually arrive.
Transportation and Ways to Reach Stonehenge
Here are the means of transportation and ways for you to reach Stonehenge:
Visiting Stonehenge by Car
The best way to reach Stonehenge would be by car as it is situated in the middle of rural England. By a private car, the travel time can vary depending on where you are traveling from.
The nearest airport would be London Heathrow Airport, which is about 2 hours away from Stonehenge.
If you’re traveling from Salisbury, it will only take approximately 19 minutes to reach Stonehenge. If you’re traveling from Bath, the travel time through a private car is around 50 to 60 minutes.
Using your car’s GPS or map, you can use the following information on your travel to Stonehenge:
- Zipcode: SP4 7DE
- Latitude: 51.1831565223
- Longitude: -1.85887471623
Visiting Stonehenge by Train
To see Stonehenge, you also have the option to go by train. Salisbury Station is the nearest train station which is around 9 miles from Stonehenge.
You can take trains from several locations to reach Salisbury Station such as from Bristol, London Waterloo, Bournemouth, and other cities.
After reaching Salisbury Station, there are different options for you to travel to Stonehenge such as through a taxi or a local bus.
Visiting Stonehenge Through a Tour
Stonehenge is a famous landmark and there are a lot of tours to choose from on your visit to Stonehenge. The tour prices usually range from $145 to $150 for adults and $122 to $130 for children.
The tour packages usually include admission tickets to the Neolithic houses and monuments.
Visiting Stonehenge from London
To visit Stonehenge from London, you can still book tours even when this capital city is a little far away from Stonehenge. The tour is usually a full day trip with an audio guide and also includes visits to other interesting places near Stonehenge.
If you prefer to take public transport from the city, go to the Waterloo Station and take the South Western Railway to Salisbury. From Salisbury, take a shuttle bus to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. The travel time from Waterloo to the Visitor Centre through a bus shuttle is around 2 hours to 2.5 hours.
Book your tickets in advance. Booking your train ticket in advance will have you avoid a costly ticket price and secure your needed seat.
Visiting Stonehenge from Salisbury
When you visit Stonehenge from Salisbury, several tours will take you to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre in less than an hour or 30 minutes. You can also take a bus that will directly take you to Stonehenge or opt for a taxi for a more private experience on your trip to the Neolithic Stones.
Visiting Stonehenge from Bath
Visiting Stonehenge from Bath, go to Bath Spa Station and take the Great Railway Station to Salisbury. After you have reached Salisbury, take a bus to Stonehenge Visitor Centre.
Guide to Visiting Stonehenge
Now that you know about the location, the best time and date to visit, and the transportation modes and means to reach Stonehenge, here are additional guides when you visit this English Heritage site:
Know About the Cost of Entry Tickets to Stonehenge
The cost of tickets for entrance to Stonehenge is as follows but please take note that this can change:
Without Donation Stonehenge Ticket Cost
- Adult: $28.85
- Child (5-17 years old): $17.31
- Students or over 65 Years Old: $25.97
- Family (2 Adults and up to 3 Children): $75.02
- Family (1 Adult and up to 3 Children): $46.17
With Donation Stonehenge Ticket Cost
- Adult: $26.21
- Child (5-17 years old): $15.63
- Students or over 65 Years Old: $23.56
- Family (2 Adults and up to 3 Children): $68.05
- Family (1 Adult and up to 3 Children): $41.84
For updated ticket prices, you may also visit the official website. National Trust England Members also have free entry privilege when booking tickets.
It is always best to book your ticket in advance to secure your spot on your desired date to get to Stonehenge.
Check the Weather Forecast
Checking the weather forecast before you plan for a trip or a day tour will give you an idea of what to wear and what to prepare.
The weather in England can be a little unpredictable but as a general guide, the temperature during summer can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) while in winter, it can drop to as low as 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). Sometimes it can get even colder than that!
Wear Comfortable Clothes and Shoes
When visiting Stonehenge, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking around different sites.
Also, do not forget to put on sunscreen, hats, or sunglasses on sunny days.
Know About the Facilities at Stonehenge
Several sites of interest in Stonehenge could be helpful to know about. Stonehenge has an exhibition, a cafe, a gift shop, Neolithic houses, family-friendly facilities, and of course the famous stone circle.
Explore the Visitor Centre
Exploring the Stonehenge Visitor Centre will give you a better understanding of the ancient stone circle built thousands of years ago. There are also interactive displays that both children and adults will find interesting. The center is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the monument.
Admire the Stone Circle
The ancient Neolithic stone circle is probably the main reason why you are visiting Stonehenge in the first place. Up close, you will see that the stones are bigger than what you have imagined.
Check the Stonehenge Website
If you’re too excited to get a glimpse of the famous stone circles, you can go to the Stonehenge Skyscape site where you will be able to experience a real-time view of the stone circle.
Take Lots of Pictures
Whether you are a budding photographer or not, make sure to take lots of pictures when you visit Stonehenge. If you have the time, walk around the area and take in the beauty of seeing Stonehenge. Visit early in the morning, or right before closing time will allow you to take the best pictures.
Check out the Audio Guide
There is a Stonehenge Audio Guide that is available in 12 languages for visitors. This audio guide will give you information about the stone circle as well as the history and mystery surrounding it.
Be a Responsible Visitor
When visiting Stonehenge, it is important to be a responsible visitor. Do not leave trash behind, do not touch the stones, and most importantly, respect the place.
Check out Events at Stonehenge
The organization that manages the Stonehenge monument holds events from time to time. These events are usually held during the summer solstice and winter solstice.
Some of the events that you can expect to have access to are music performances, talks, and workshops.
Visiting Stonehenge for Free
You might be wondering if you can access Stonehenge without paying for the admission tickets. The answer is Yes! You can have access to the famous Stonehenge view without paying a fee from a public footpath.
The following are the steps that will give you a view of the famous English Heritage for free:
- Go to Fargo Road in Amesbury, Wiltshire
- Once you reach Fargo Road, search for a spot to park.
- Walk to Willoughby Road until you reach a gravel path.
- Continue walking south on the gravel path until you see a Stonehenge Shuttle Bus that takes tourists to the site
- Walk to the pathway to the left where there is a viewing location where you will see the magnificent ancient stones.
The walk usually takes around 15-30 minutes.
Tips on Avoiding Tourist Traps
With the demand for visiting Stonehenge comes tourist traps that could potentially ruin your trip. Here are some tips on how you can avoid them:
Check the reviews of the tour that you are planning to take.
There are a lot of tours that will bring you to see Stonehenge but not all of them are created equal. Make sure to do your research and check the reviews before choosing among the tours.
Ask locals for recommendations.
If you are planning to visit Stonehenge on your own, it would be best to ask for recommendations from locals. They will know the best route to take and the best time to visit the popular archaic stones.
Be aware of your surroundings.
When exploring Stonehenge, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are a lot of people who will try to take advantage of tourists.
Follow the rules.
When visiting Stonehenge, make sure to follow the rules that are in place. These rules are there for a reason and it is important to respect them.
Other Locations to Visit Along with Stonehenge
There are several sites from Stonehenge that you could visit nearby or just a few miles away. If you plan to join on a tour, check out packages that include other places to visit that might make your trip more memorable. Here are some of the places that you can visit:
- Avebury – A village located in Wiltshire, England. It is home to the Avebury stone circle which is one of the largest in the world. Drive to this place is around 40 minutes from Stonehenge.
- Bath – A historic city located in Somerset, England. It is home to the Roman Baths which is a well-preserved Roman site. It will take around an hour’s drive to reach this place from Stonehenge.
- Woodhenge – As the name suggests, this place will give you a view of wooden monuments. Each wooden monument is said to be as old as Stonehenge. There even is no entrance fee. This place is near Stonehenge, just a 10-minute drive away.
- Old Sarum – This historic site outside Salisbury Plain is where the first settlement in England is said to have been built. Drive to this place only takes around 15 minutes.
- Wilton House – This country manor house near Salisbury Plain is a great place to see if you want to get away from the crowds. This place even served as a filming location for popular films like Bridgerton. A visit to Wilton House will only take a 20-minute drive from Stonehenge.
Takeaway
Stonehenge is a place that is rich in history and mystery. Millions of people flock to the site every year to see the famous stone circle. It is a place that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. When visiting Stonehenge, make sure to be a responsible tourist, follow the rules, and enjoy the experience.
With this how-to visit Stonehenge guide, we hope that you are now more confident in visiting Stonehenge. Do not forget the tips that we have shared with you so that you can make the most out of your trip.
