Saturday 1 December 2018

2018 Stonehenge Winter Solstice

English Heritage will welcome people to Stonehenge to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Sunrise is just after 8am on Friday 22nd December and visitors will be able to access the monument as soon as it is light enough to do so safely. Please read the information below before planning your visit and visit the English Heritage website.  

Access to Stonehenge for Winter Solstice is free and is subject to the Conditions of Entry. Please read these before deciding whether to attend.  Stonehenge is in a field on Salisbury Plain and the weather in December will be cold and wet.  Even if it isn’t raining…
Access to Stonehenge for Winter Solstice is free and is subject to the Conditions of Entry.Please read these before deciding whether to attend.  Stonehenge is in a field on Salisbury Plain and the weather in December will be cold and wet.  Even if it isn’t raining, the ground will be wet from the dew and there may also be frost. Sensible footwear and warm, waterproof clothing is essential. Please note, parking charges apply.
The Stonehenge Tourist Blog
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Monday 5 November 2018

2019 STONEHENGE PRIVATE ACCESS INNER CIRCLE TOURS. BOOK NOW!

Be one of a rare few to walk inside the UNESCO-listed prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge.. Select a sunrise or sunset tour for early or late access to the Stonehenge site, and walk inside the inner circle of stones — an experience only available with these special guided tours — without the daytime crowds and when the site is closed to the public.
These exclusive Stonehenge special access tours sell out quickly, so book without delay.

We have included a 2019 calendar on our website with some of the secured dates and will add more as and when they become available.

 Visit the Visit-Stonehenge website for more details


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Wednesday 17 October 2018

Stonehenge News and Events: Open days, talks, exhibitions, guided walks and family activities taking place at the World Heritage Site.

There is always something happening around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site with events such as open days, family activities, lectures and guided tours for both adults and families. Please check the websites below to see what Stonehenge current events are available to book.
English Heritage Stonehenge 
Walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Visit their Stonehenge Events page for exhibition news, special events and exclusive ‘members only’ events.  They also publish posts on their news blog.
National Trust’s Stonehenge Landscape
A World Heritage Site for its  ancient ceremonial landscape of archaeological and wildlife interest. Visit their events page
Amesbury History Centre 
The Amesbury History Centre is the place to visit to find out all you need to know about the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Britain.
Wiltshire Museum 
Award-winning Museum display – Gold from the Time of Stonehenge. Britain’s best Bronze Age archaeology collection. Visit their events page
Salisbury Museum 
The Salisbury Museum. Showcasing the medieval Cathedral town of Salisbury and the ancient wonders of Stonehenge. Visit their events page
Visit Wiltshire
Click here to find out all you need when visiting Stonehenge Wiltshire!…Easily search Attractions, Events and Accommodation suitable for your needs!…FREE MAPS & GUIDES!
Wessex ArchaeologyWessex Archaeology is proud to have had a long history of work at Stonehenge and to have played a leading role in their research, management and investigation.  Visit their news blog
Stonehenge Guided Tours
The longest established Stonehenge tour operator run daily Stonehenge tours from London and offer exclusive inner circle access tours allowing you to walk amongst  the monument at sunrise or sunset.
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Thursday 11 October 2018

Our ancient ancestors’ relationship with the Continent will be revealed in a new exhibition at Stonehenge

Stonehenge exhibit shows relations of ancient Britain and Europe.

The collection, including a 6,500-year-old jade axe made in Italy, will go on display at Stonehenge on Friday.

Organisers say it highlights how there were different periods of connection with, and relative isolation from, Europe in Britain's history.

It will be the first time the objects have been displayed together.

Visit the English Heritage website for more details

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Friday 21 September 2018

Stonehenge Autumn Equinox Celebrations 2018

The Autumn Equinox (Mabon)The 2018 Autumn Equinox is September 23rd at 02.54am GMTSunrise will be 6.55am
English Heritage are expected to offer a short period of access, from  first light or safe enough to enter the monument field (approximately 06.30am) until 08:30am on the 23rd September this year.

Read the full story (source) here
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Stonehenge Stone Circle celebrates 100 years through online photo album.

To commemorate 100 years since being donated to the nation, the guardian of Stonehenge wants as many photos donated as possible to create a digital photo album, dating from 1918 - 2018.

Over the summer members of the public were asked to recreate their photos once taken decades ago at the stones, and today the ‘then and now’ images have also been revealed.

English Heritage’s Director of Stonehenge, Kate Davies said: “Stonehenge is an important place in many people’s memories, and each and every person who has visited the monument is part of its story. This archive is a way of making us all part of the on-going history of this incredible place.”

All the images will be displayed in an online archive on the Stonehenge 100 website.

Read the full story (source) here
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Sunday 15 July 2018

Stonehenge builders may have transported megaliths down ‘stone highway’ from Wales

RESEARCHERS believe they may have solved the mystery of how the huge stones of Stonehenge were transported to the iconic structure.
It is claimed that the megaliths for Stonehenge, located near Amesbury, in Wiltshire,were moved from Welsh quarries using a "stone highway" - potentially explaining how they travelled from Wales to Salisbury Plain.
Stonehenge, located near Amesbury, in Wiltshire, is an iconic site but historians often debate the origins of its construction and how the stones reached there

The journal Antiquity claims that the route initially thought to be true - proposed by H.H. Thomas in 192 - is wrong.
It reads: "New analytical techniques, alongside transmitted and reflected light microscopy, have recently prompted renewed scrutiny of Thomas's work.
"While respectable for its time, the results of these new analyses, combined with a thorough checking of the archived samples consulted by Thomas, reveal that key locations long believed to be sources for the Stonehenge bluestones can be discounted in favour of newly identified locations at Craig-Rhos-y-felin and Carn Goedog."
A study claims that the stones were moved from Pembrokeshire to Wiltshire on route using roads and rivers.
Read the full story (source) here
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Friday 20 April 2018

Visiting Stonehenge and want to be involved in research at Stonehenge?

By completing a questionnaire as you walk around Stonehenge you can help archaeologists to understand how people from different backgrounds view the landscape. This will help with interpretations of important sites like Stonehenge. If you would like to take part, simply access the questionnaire via the QR code or URL below. All you need to do is fill in some information about yourself and answer the questions as best as you can. 

Why does this research matter?
Archaeologists try to study past people who have very different cultural backgrounds from themselves. Certain perceptual theories suggest that this will cause us to see landscapes differently than the people we study, whilst others state that this is not an issue. If we see landscapes differently, then how we interpret them may not accurately reflect the past.

This questionnaire forms part of PhD research looking into this issue and will be analysed for the final thesis.

Why me? Why here?
With visitors from all over the world Stonehenge is the perfect place to carry out this kind of study. We are not just looking for archaeological experts, but all sorts of people. You must be over 18 and give your consent to take part. 

What information do you need?
In order to understand what attributes affect perception of the landscape we will ask you to fill in information such as age, gender and cultural background. All information will be completely anonymous and will be held securely in compliance with the Data Security Act and University of Southampton policy. Only the researcher will have access to the questionnaire responses.

What if I change my mind?
If you decide that you no longer want to take part, simply close this webpage without submitting the questionnaire.

Important Information
Please read this information carefully before deciding whether to take part in this research. By checking the box at the start of the survey you are indicating that you are aged over 18, and you are consenting to participate in this survey.
Please select your language by clicking here

Visit the Stonehenge Survey website here.

If you are on a Stonehenge Tour or visiting independently your feedback is valuable.

The Stonehenge Tourist Guide

Friday 19 January 2018

English Heritage going green with new fleet of Stonehenge tour buses

GREENER buses to transport visitors to and from Stonehenge have arrived.


The new fleet of buses, which will be operated by Tourist Coaches, will be powered by the latest in clean diesel technology.

According to English Heritage, the buses will reduce the impact on the historic landscape and provide a more comfortable ride for visitors.

Jennifer Davies, head of operations at Stonehenge, said: “We are really excited to be taking delivery of our new greener buses. They’re better for the environment and more fuel efficient than the old buses.

“The great news for us and our visitors is that as each vehicle can carry more people than our old buses, which means less time to wait on busy days before your journey to the stones begins.”

To mark the launch six local schools have been given the chance to name each of the new buses, with the winning classes being given the opportunity to be picked up in their named bus for a day at the 5,000-year-old stone circle

Ms Davies added: “We can’t wait to hear the names that the school children have come up with and we’re looking to welcoming our first visitors on board.”

Read the full story in the Salisbury Journal 

The Stonehenge Tourist Guide

Sunday 7 January 2018

2018 Stonehenge Opening Times, Prices and Ticket Information

Stonehenge is Europe's most famous neolithic monument dating from 2800 BC. Stonehenge was built in four main stages from 2800 BC - 1550 BC. This is a temple to the sun, moon, planets and stars, an astronomical clock. Walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in England.

Stonehenge Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult Advance Ticket (Non Gift Aid)£16.30 per ticket
Child Advance Ticket (Non Gift Aid)£9.80 per ticket
Concession Advance Ticket (Non Gift Aid)£14.70 per ticket
Family Advance Ticket (Non Gift Aid) 2 + 3£42.40 per ticket
Above prices are for pre-booked tickets via green button above through VisitWiltshire (advance booking is strongly recommended to guarantee entry) English Heritage and National Trust members admitted free. Please note: All Travel Trade, paying group and education group visits must be pre-booked.

Stonehenge Opening Times

Open New Year
2018(01st January - 29 Mar 2018)
DayTimes
Monday09:3017:00
Tuesday09:3017:00
Wednesday09:3017:00
Thursday09:3017:00
Friday09:3017:00
Saturday09:3017:00
Sunday09:3017:00
2018/19(30 Mar 2018 - 31 May 2019)
DayTimes
Monday09:3019:00
Tuesday09:3019:00
Wednesday09:3019:00
Thursday09:3019:00
Friday09:3019:00
Saturday09:3019:00
Sunday09:3019:00
2018 Summer(1 June 2018 - 31 Aug 2018)
DayTimes
Monday09:0020:00
Tuesday09:0020:00
Wednesday09:0020:00
Thursday09:0020:00
Friday09:0020:00
Saturday09:0020:00
Sunday09:0020:00
2018 Autumn(1 Sept 2018 - 15 Oct 2018)
DayTimes
Monday09:3019:00
Tuesday09:3019:00
Wednesday09:3019:00
Thursday09:3019:00
Friday09:3019:00
Saturday09:3019:00
Sunday09:3019:00
26 Dec & 1 Jan, 10am-5pm
24-25 Dec Closed

2018 Closed days-
20th June
21st June
24th December
25th December
On the 22nd June for Summer Solstice it will not open until 11:30

Last admission is 2 hours before the advertised closing time.
The Stonehenge Tourist Guide