Stonehenge - What To Expect
A Candid Assessment Of A Typical Visit To Stonehenge
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| Stonehenge |
Temperature + What To Wear At Stonehenge
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. There is very little shelter from the elements.
Stonehenge is all on the flat so there is no problem with access. For wheelchair users, some of the circuit around the back of Stonehenge part of the normal route taken is grass and you will also have to push the wheelchair up a slope from a subway.
Facilities At Stonehenge
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.
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| The Stonehenge Refreshment Kiosk |
There are no ATM's or foreign exchange facilities.
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!
When should I go to Stonehenge?
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. There is another spike of coaches early/mid afternoon. For independent visitors, best time is first thing after opening and after 4 pm in the summer months when the coach parties are gone.
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. If you follow religiously the audio guide that is provided with admission this takes about 40 minutes.
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.
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| Image Depicting How Close You Get To Stones At Stonehenge During Public Opening Hours |
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.
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| Stonehenge Audio Guide |
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.
What else is around Stonehenge
The nearest mainstream tourist location to Stonehenge is Salisbury, about 30 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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