Stonehenge

Stonehenge is remarkable and unique prehistoric monument, and one of the most famous sites in the world. It is located on the Salisbury Plain, about 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. According to the archaelogical research, the structure was build from 3000 BC to 2000 BC Currently the structure is managed by the English Heritage and is also a popular Neopagan ritual site e.g. during the Summer solistice. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986.

Composition

Earliest work at the began in 3000 BC when an outer ditch and embankment was constructed, and standing beams erected. From 2500 BC, the Bluestones and Sarsen stones was brought from Wales and the Marlborough Downs. The structure became completed around 1600 BC.

Tours

The Stonehenge Tour is a practical way to get familiarize with the site. Tour offers oral guidance. Tours start from Salisbury, and ticket prices are visible here.

There are scheduled tours from Salisbury for visiting the inner circle of Stonehenge. They can be found here. Britis Tours offer Stonehenge tours from London, they can be found here.

How to get there

The nearest train stations are in Andover and Salisbury which can be reached directly from Waterloo station in London. See the train timetables here.

From London the highways M3 and A303 lead to Amesbury. Stonehenge is well signposted from Amesbury.

Text: Timo Hellman

Photos: With the CC licence / Julia W and Ancient-wisdom.com