Thursday 26 January 2017

Visit Stonehenge and step back to the prehistoric era

While London is one of the top tourism destinations in the world, there are some excellent day trips available close to the capital that should not be missed. 

One of the best options is the historic Stonehenge, which is around two hours away and stands as a truly unforgettable monument.

Originally built around 5,000 years ago, the area has been wonderfully well preserved and is now a World Heritage Site alongside a selection of other historic landmarks. The complex features an enclosure at Robin Hood’s Ball, two cursus movements and rectangular earthworks.

The stone settings at Stonehenge were built at a time of significant change when the new styles of Beaker pottery and the knowledge of metalworking were becoming more popular on the continent.

From the middle Bronze Age, less effort went into the construction of ceremonial monuments and more time was spent on agricultural activities.

Thankfully, the area has been well preserved by the National Trust since 1927 when it acquired the land around the structure to restore it to grassland. Now, large areas of the local landscape are now owned by them and improvements have been made to modernise the facilities for visitors.

Work on the area is continuing, too, with the government announcing plans for a 1.8-mile tunnel past the World Heritage Site. Officials believe this move would transform the A303 by reducing congestion and improving journey times.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has supported the idea, though it believes extending it would help to stop damage to popular views of the area.

Thanks to excellent work from conservationists, Stonehenge continues to be one of the most popular landmarks in the world, giving visitors a great insight into the UK’s history.

How can I get to Stonehenge?

Stonehenge is around 88 miles away from London, with the nearest train station to the landmark being Salisbury. While public buses do run from the station to the site, visitors will be tied to the travel schedule and, in the event of a train delay or cancellation, may not be able to spend as long at the site as they wanted.

While driving down is another option, there is often a lot of traffic in the area due to the large volumes of tourists. Plus, if you’re travelling from London, you may have to handle heavy congestion as you leave the city centre.

A better alternative could be to use a coach tour service. You can choose a time that suits you and benefit from reserved seating, ample luggage space and Wi-Fi, taking away all the stress of driving.

The Stonehenge News Blog


Friday 20 January 2017

Stonehenge Opening Times and Entrance Prices 2017

2017 Stonehenge Opening Hours, Entry Prices and Tickets.
English Heritage advise to expect a visit to last around two hours. Please see the table below for opening times for 2017/18, with some seasonal variability, and entrance prices for adults, children, families, seniors and groups.
The 360 surround cinema inside the Stonehenge visitor centre
There is 10% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together plus a free place for every additional 20 paying passengers. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
If you come by car you will park in the car park outside the visitor centre. It is free for people purchasing tickets to enter Stonehenge, there is a charge if you are not. Tour buses have their own separate coach park.
All Members of English Heritage or National Trust must show a valid membership card on arrival to be granted free parking and site access.
To enter the Stonehenge Exhibition at the Visitor Centre you need a full ticket to Stonehenge, anyone can access the café, gift shop and toilets though, for free.
Very Important!  Book Your Stonehenge Tickets in Advance 
To be assured of entering Stonehenge the best way is to reserve timed tickets in advance on the English Heritage web site or if you want more flexibility then you can book discount tickets here
Tickets to Stonehenge are booked by half hour time slot, the website showing you how many tickets are still available for your chosen date and time.
Note: you cannot reserve tickets on-line on the day of your visit, you must reserve before midnight latest on the day before. Only a very small number of tickets are held back each day for walk-up visitors.
Note: the last admission time is two hours before closing time of Stonehenge. Closing times are variable according to month of the year (see below)
Stonehenge Admission & Opening From 1st January 2017 – October 2017
Admission
Opening Times
Adult
£15.50
16 Mar – 31 May
09.30 – 19:00
Child (5-15)
£9.30
1 Jun – 31 Aug
09.00 – 20:00
Students/Seniors *
£13.90
1 Sep – 15 Oct
09.30 – 19:00
Family Ticket †
£40.30
16 Oct – 15 Mar
09.30 – 17:00
Last entry 2 hours before closing
Members of the National Trust & English Heritage enter free
Prices are valid until 31st March 2017* 16-18 yr olds + seniors 60+
† 2 Adults and 3 Children
~ Closed 24th to 26th December
2017 STONEHENGE OPENING TIMES
1st JANUARY 2017– 31st MARCH 2017
Monday9:30 – 17:00
Tuesday9:30 – 17:00
Wednesday9:30 – 17:00
Thursday9:30 – 17:00
Friday9:30 – 17:00
Saturday9:30 – 17:00
Sunday9:30 – 17:00
1st APRIL 2017 – 31st MAY 2017
Monday9:30 – 19:00
Tuesday9:30 – 19:00
Wednesday9:30 – 19:00
Thursday9:30 – 19:00
Friday9:30 – 19:00
Saturday9:30 – 19:00
Sunday9:30 – 19:00
1st JUNE 2017 – 31st AUGUST 2017
Monday9:00 – 20:00
Tuesday9:00 – 20:00
Wednesday9:00 – 20:00
Thursday9:00 – 20:00
Friday9:00 – 20:00
Saturday9:00 – 20:00
Sunday9:00 – 20:00
1st OCTOBER 2017 – 15th OCTOBER 2017
Monday9:30 – 19:00
Tuesday9:30 – 19:00
Wednesday9:30 – 19:00
Thursday9:30 – 19:00
Friday9:30 – 19:00
Saturday9:30 – 19:00
Sunday9:30 – 19:00
16th OCTOBER 2017 ONWARDSOpening times will be available nearer the time
For more information please visit the official English Heritage website
The Stonehenge Tourist Guide

Saturday 3 December 2016

Stonehenge Visitor Centre - special Christmas evenings

Enjoy a warm welcome at the Stonehenge visitor centre on the evenings of 7th and 14th December 5pm-8pm, and a feast of festive songs and music from the celebrated Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir and the brilliant Durrington Walls Wind Band as well as free Christmas craft and wreath–making workshops. Warm up in the café with delicious mince pies, mulled wine and deluxe hot chocolate and enjoy 10% off all Christmas shopping in the Stonehenge shop and 20% off the Gift of Membership.
Step back in time and explore the objects found around Stonehenge, with free entry to the award-winning exhibitions. Experience Stonehenge through the ages and the seasons from the middle of our incredible 360-degree virtual 'stand in the stones' exhibit. This three-minute film, based on state-of-the-art laser scan images of the stone circle, transports the viewer back in time through the millennia and enables them to experience the winter solstice - from the warmth of the visitor centre! Grab the opportunity to see the first ever Stonehenge guidebook in our special exhibition 'Wish You Were Here' curated for English Heritage by renowned archaeologist Julian Richards. This exhibition takes a look at the history of Stonehenge as a tourist attraction from Roman to modern times – with an array of obscure, fascinating objects and souvenirs from past centuries on display.
Pick up your own modern-day memorabilia with 10% off in the Stonehenge shop and sample a delicious selection of English wines, liqueurs and the famous Stonehenge beer and choose from an extensive and unique range of gifts – including Stonehenge baubles and Christmas decorations, bluestone jewellery, silk scarves, clothing and cosy blankets. We have an enormous selection of books and there's a huge range of great stocking fillers too – including magnets, pens, key rings and the perennially popular snow-domes! Bring friends and family and join them at the Stonehenge visitor centre this December for their special Christmas evenings and enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and music, with the beautiful voices of the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir on the 7th and the melodic sounds of the local Durrington Walls Wind Band on 14th
If you are not local and interested in Stonehenge Christmas Tours click here
The Stonehenge Tourist Guide