More people than ever before are visiting Stonehenge it seems - making it one of the country's biggest tourist attractions.
1,381,855 people visited our stone circle during 2016, which is up 1.1% on the previous year.
That makes it the 7th most visited paid for attraction in the UK, with more tourists than places like London Zoo, the Eden Project and the Houses of Parliament.
The rundown's been released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions and Visit Britain.
When taking all the free of charge places into account as well, Stonehenge is ranked 22nd on the list.
Read the full story at Spire FM
Visit Stonehenge this summer for a great day out!
The Stonehenge Tourist Guide
Friday 4 August 2017
Sunday 23 July 2017
The more archaeologists study Stonehenge, the more mysteries unfold
Stonehenge is one the UK’s most visited tourist attractions – and one of the world’s most enigmatic ancient monuments. People come from all over the world to stare at the iconic stone pillars and wonder how, and why, they were put in place.
Stonehenge wasn't the only significant monument in the region |
The site may be instantly recognisable, but there is far more to it than first meets the eye. As archaeologists study this area, mystery after mystery unfolds. But a coherent story may be beginning to emerge.
That has been particularly true over the last decade. Researchers have been studying not just the monument itself, but the area around it, hoping to find clues in this intriguing landscape of prehistoric monuments.
Underground imaging and excavation have revealed that Stonehenge was once part of a complicated network of structures: ancient burial mounds, unknown settlements, processional routes and even gold-adorned burials. The finds paint a picture of a far more mysterious and elaborate Neolithic and Bronze Age world than previously thought.
You might also like:
– The most sophisticated people you never knew
– The English moor where wallabies roam
– The small snack that changed English
One such project that looked at Stonehenge in this holistic way was the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, which ran from 2010 to 2014. Underground radar and magnetic imaging techniques revealed that Stonehenge lies at the centre of a complex web of structures covering an estimated 4.5 square miles (12 sq km). The project caused a media frenzy in 2015, when scientists announced the finding of a potential ‘Superhenge’ at nearby Durrington Walls – a huge 500m (1,640ft) diameter stone circle.
However, this frenzy was short-lived. When excavating the site, the archaeologists didn’t find any stones. Instead, they found that timber posts once stood here. After they were removed, the holes were filled with chalk and then covered in earth to form a henge bank. On radar scans, the gaps in the loose chalk had looked like stones.
This story is a part of BBC Britain – a series focused on exploring this extraordinary island, one story at a time. See every BBC Britain story by heading to the Britain hompage
Read the full story (source) on the BBC website
This story is a part of BBC Britain – a series focused on exploring this extraordinary island, one story at a time. See every BBC Britain story by heading to the Britain hompage
Read the full story (source) on the BBC website
Monday 5 June 2017
STONEHENGE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2017
Stonehenge is an ancient prehistoric site which may have been a place of worship and celebration at the time of Summer Solstice for thousands of years and is seen by many as a sacred site.
Please note that the site will close at 15:00 on Tuesday 20 June with last normal day admissions at 13:00, so that we can prepare for Summer Solstice Managed Open Access. Stonehenge is closed on Wednesday 21 June and will re-open at 09:00 on Thursday 22 June. Visit the English Heritage Website for full details
English Heritage is pleased to provide free Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for Summer solstice 2017 and ask that if you are planning to join us for this peaceful and special occasion that you read the Conditions of Entry and the information provided on the following pages before deciding whether to come. These are written to ensure enjoyment and safety for everyone attending summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Please note to reduce risk to those attending and to the monument itself, alcohol is not allowed in the monument field during summer solstice.
Following recent terrorist related incidents across the UK, additional security measures will be in place at Summer Solstice this year. We are working closely with Wiltshire Police to ensure the safety of all visitors and, as a result, only small bags (approx 30cm x 25cm x 15cm) will be allowed into the Monument Field and searches will be conducted. We strongly advise you to only bring essential items and thank you in advance for your patience.
DATES AND TIMES
TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2017
SOLSTICE CAR PARK OPENS 19:00
ACCESS TO MONUMENT FIELD 19:00
SUNSET 21:26
WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017
SUNRISE 04.52
LAST ADMISSION TO SOLSTICE CAR PARK 06:00 (or when full)
STONEHENGE MONUMENT FIELD CLOSES 08:00
SOLSTICE CAR PARK TO BE VACATED 12:00 (Noon)
Admission to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is free of charge.
Parking is limited and charges apply (see Travelling to Solstice for details). We strongly recommend travelling by public transport or arranging to car share with friends or through Liftshare .
For further details and information to help you plan your journey, including details of local accommodation and other helpful advice for Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, follow links below.
Follow @eh_stonehenge on Twitter for live information during the summer solstice.
Please note that the site will close at 15:00 on Tuesday 20 June with last normal day admissions at 13:00, so that we can prepare for Summer Solstice Managed Open Access. Stonehenge is closed on Wednesday 21 June and will re-open at 09:00 on Thursday 22 June. Visit the English Heritage Website for full details
English Heritage is pleased to provide free Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for Summer solstice 2017 and ask that if you are planning to join us for this peaceful and special occasion that you read the Conditions of Entry and the information provided on the following pages before deciding whether to come. These are written to ensure enjoyment and safety for everyone attending summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Please note to reduce risk to those attending and to the monument itself, alcohol is not allowed in the monument field during summer solstice.
Following recent terrorist related incidents across the UK, additional security measures will be in place at Summer Solstice this year. We are working closely with Wiltshire Police to ensure the safety of all visitors and, as a result, only small bags (approx 30cm x 25cm x 15cm) will be allowed into the Monument Field and searches will be conducted. We strongly advise you to only bring essential items and thank you in advance for your patience.
DATES AND TIMES
TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2017
SOLSTICE CAR PARK OPENS 19:00
ACCESS TO MONUMENT FIELD 19:00
SUNSET 21:26
WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 2017
SUNRISE 04.52
LAST ADMISSION TO SOLSTICE CAR PARK 06:00 (or when full)
STONEHENGE MONUMENT FIELD CLOSES 08:00
SOLSTICE CAR PARK TO BE VACATED 12:00 (Noon)
Admission to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is free of charge.
Parking is limited and charges apply (see Travelling to Solstice for details). We strongly recommend travelling by public transport or arranging to car share with friends or through Liftshare .
For further details and information to help you plan your journey, including details of local accommodation and other helpful advice for Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, follow links below.
Follow @eh_stonehenge on Twitter for live information during the summer solstice.
- Travelling to SolsticeFacilities, safety and welfare What (and what not) to bring
Disabled access
Other useful information Please Respect the Stones
Solstice Conditions of Entry
History of the Stonehenge Summer Solstice
Stonehenge Summer Solstice Tours
The Stonehenge Tourist Guide
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)