Temperature + What To Wear
Stonehenge is on the top of Salisbury Plain, a flat barren place.
Be warned, especially if you're coming from London it will be noticeably
colder at Stonehenge.
Because Stonehenge is totally exposed to the winds sweeping across
Salisbury Plain the wind chill factor can make Stonehenge bitterly
cold.
Stonehenge is all on the flat so there is no problem with access.
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Stonehenge |
For
wheelchair users, some of the circuit around the back of Stonehenge
part of the normal route taken is grass and you will have to push
the wheelchair up a slope from a subway.
Facilities
For such a major tourist attraction, facilities are very basic.
Your vehicle will park in the official park which is really too small
in the summer months.
You may have to go to the overflow car parks in an adjacent field
and at real peak times each vehicle has to pay a parking fee on entering
the park which is refunded when you pay for your tickets. |
There
are basic toilets at each end of the car park.
At the entrance, apart from the turnstiles and ticket desk there is
a small gift shop, a refreshment kiosk that sells drinks, ice cream,
cakes and slices of pizza. You cannot access the gift shop without
having gone through the turnstiles, the gift shop gets really crowded.
There are a few picnic tables and it is possible to go for walks across
the Stonehenge landscape, though very few people do.
And in terms of facilities, well that's it! |
The Stonehenge Refreshment Kiosk |
When should I go ?
Stonehenge is busy throughout the year. If you can, avoid visiting
between about 10:15 and 11:45 when many of the tour coaches from London
arrive.
Stonehenge is very exposed, its not a fun place to go in inclement
weather. Outside the summer months a stiff northerly wind will deter
even the hardiest.
Admission Prices & Opening Hours
Pricing and opening hours are complex, we have the current charges
and opening hours laid out for you on our Stonehenge
opening hours and prices page.
How Long Will I Be At Stonehenge
The vast majority of visitors to Stonehenge spend around one hour,
including time in the gift shop. Coach tours often only allow 50 minutes
from arrival to departure.
How Close To The Stones Will I Get?
During public opening hours the picture below depicts the closest
you will get to the stones.
It is possible to walk among the stones outside public opening hours
with Special
Access tickets to Stonehenge. |
Image
Depicting How Close You Get To Stones During Public Opening Hours
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So why go to Stonehenge?
Oh dear, if you are asking this question we really do recommend you
do a little research of what is Stonehenge. Otherwise, there is a
distinct possibility you'll turn up, see a pile of stones in a field,
shrug your shoulders and get back into the car. |
As part of admission you do get an audio guide device, (pictured
right) that provides some guidance. Its free, so we recommend you
take it - its available in many languages.
You'll get much, much more out of your visit if you do some reading
before you visit.
To make it easy for you we've got two pages that give you some basics.
Our What is Stonehenge
page describes what you will physically see, when it was built and
by who.
Our Stonehenge Mysteries
page follows on from this and looks at all the mysteries and theories
about Stonehenge. Nobody for sure knows what Stonehenge is all about,
there are many fascinating options. Make your own mind up which ones
you favour when you get there. |
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What else is around Stonehenge?
The nearest mainstream tourist location to Stonehenge is
Salisbury, about 20 minutes drive. The major attraction is Salisbury
Cathedral. Old Sarum, just outside Salisbury is worthwhile.
20 miles north of Stonehenge is Avebury,
another larger henge than Stonehenge. Unlike Stonehenge its totally
free access, you can walk among and touch the stones at all times.
Bath is less than one hours
drive and has something for everyone. |
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