Stonehenge: History, Mysteries, and Facts Revealed

Ditch the museums and head to Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site straight out of history books! This giant stone circle is over 4,500 years old, surrounded by hundreds of burial mounds from the Ne...

About Stonehenge

Quick information

ADDRESS

Salisbury SP4 7DE, UK

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Timings

9:30am–5pm

VISITORS PER YEAR

1300000

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

1986

Plan your visit

Did you know?

The average Stonehenge stone weighs 25 tons, with the biggest one, the Heel Stone, clocking in at 30 tons.

The whole site covers a massive 6,500 acres. That's like 7 Central Parks in New York City all squished together!

Believe it or not, some of the stones at Stonehenge journeyed 240km all the way from South Wales by boat.

More insights

Things to do in Stonehenge

Stone Circle

This main attraction at the World Heritage Site has been around for 4,500 years! See the remains of the original Neolithic monument, featuring preserved sarsen megaliths and bluestones in their original positions. There is a protective barrier around it, limiting proximity to 10m to safeguard the stones.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is where you become a Stonehenge expert. They've got a world-class exhibition, with artifacts from the builders' time (borrowed from Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum) and multimedia displays. There's even an exhibit area - think modern art, photos, and archaeological treasures found 150 years ago!

Virtual tour

Want to see Stonehenge in 360 degrees? This virtual tour lets you do just that! Plus, there's an interactive map showing how the landscape around Stonehenge has changed over time. You can also take a time travel trip as the seasons pass with an audio-visual experience from inside the stones themselves!

Neolithic Village

Just outside the Visitor Center, you'll find recreated Neolithic houses - the kind the Stonehenge builders lived in. These are bright and airy, with a single room, each measuring 5m on each side, and white chalk walls and floors. Learn about the builders’ daily routines, from grinding grain with a quern to making rope from rushes!

Brief history of Stonehenge

3000 BC: The first Stonehenge is constructed - an earthwork enclosure with a circular ditch and 56 timber or stone posts serving as a cremation cemetery for several centuries.
2500 BC: Over 80 large sarsen stones from the Marlborough Downs are raised in two concentric arrangements, with smaller bluestones in a double arc between them.
2400 BC: The Beaker culture introduces new burial practices, with well-furnished individual Beaker graves.
2300–2200 BC: Bluestones are rearranged to form a circle and inner oval, and burial mounds for individual burials are raised in Stonehenge.
1750–5th century: Four sarsens are adorned with over 100 carvings, and Stonehenge sees activity during the Iron Age.
14th-19th centuries: Stonehenge gains national interest from writers, artists, and antiquarians, but the monument deteriorates, and some stones fall.
1918: Local landowner Cecil Chubb gives Stonehenge to the nation, marking a pivotal moment in its history.

Detailed Stonehenge history

Who built Stonehenge?

Druids (Celtic high priests) were believed to build Stonehenge. However, radiocarbon dating showed that Stonehenge was erected a millennia before the Celts were in the area. It is now believed that different tribes contributed to its construction and Neolithic agrarians were the first.

Architecture of Stonehenge

The megaliths are sarsen stones from Marlborough Downs, which is about 32 kilometers away from the monument. The largest megalith is the Heel Stone, which weighs about 30 tons - a little higher than the average 25 tons of the other stones. Bluestones are the smaller stones, due to the blue hue they get when wet or freshly cut. They come from Preseli Hills, Wales. Some believe that glaciers brought along the stones, while others think humans carried them.

Stonehenge was created in three major stages, further divided into several smaller stages. Initially, it was simply an earthwork enclosure where the dead were cremated. The stones were erected much later. Hammerstones of sarsen and flint were found north of Stonehenge. The larger hammerstones would have been used to roughly cut the stone, while the smaller ones would have been used to give them a smooth finish. A large hole with a slope was dug around the sarsens, lined with wooden stakes. The hole was packed with rubble to ensure the stone remained upright. The outer ring of stones was at an even height, even though the area was not flat.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stonehenge

What makes Stonehenge unique compared to other ancient monuments?

Stonehenge’s massive stones, aligned with the sun's movements during the summer and winter solstices, make it an extraordinary achievement in ancient engineering and astronomy. Its circular layout and the mystery of how these stones were transported from afar have intrigued historians and scientists for centuries.

What is the connection between Stonehenge and astronomy?

Stonehenge is aligned with the movements of the sun, particularly the summer solstice when the sun rises directly above the Heel Stone. This suggests that the site may have been used for ceremonial purposes related to the seasons.

What is the best time to visit Stonehenge?

To avoid crowds, visit during the off-peak season (autumn or winter), or aim for early morning or late afternoon time slots. The best times to visit are early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid large crowds. Visiting during the winter solstice or summer solstice can be a special experience, but expect large crowds during these events.

Is Stonehenge wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Stonehenge offers wheelchair access, including a shuttle bus to the Stone Circle for those with mobility issues. The visitor center is also fully accessible.

What other attractions are near Stonehenge?

Nearby attractions include the historic city of Salisbury, Old Sarum, and Avebury, another prehistoric stone circle. Many visitors combine these sites into a day trip.

What special events take place at Stonehenge?

The most popular events at Stonehenge are the summer and winter solstices, where people gather to witness the sunrise and sunset in alignment with the stones. Other seasonal events are hosted at the Visitor Center.

Can I touch the stones at Stonehenge?

No, visitors are not allowed to touch the stones as part of preservation efforts. However, special access tours are occasionally available where you can get closer to the stones under supervision.