Things to do at Stonehenge
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We love a trip to Stonehenge. There’s just something incredible about being able to get up close to one of the oldest monuments in the country, something that has seen so much change and so much history.
We last went to Stonehenge at Easter with friends and had a great time. I know from speaking to people that many think that a day at Stonehenge is just seeing the stones – but there’s so much more to it than that!
Where is Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is near Salisbury, on the Salisbury Plain, in Wiltshire, just off the A303. It’s a familiar sight to anyone travelling from the west country towards London or vice versa but not somewhere that people often think to stop off at!
What is Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic monument that was built in stages between 3000 BC and 1500 BC. It’s famous for its circle of towering stones, interlocking lintel joints and alignment with the sun.
Things to do at Stonehenge
Explore the Visitor Centre
When you arrive at Stonehenge you are met with the Visitor Centre which is where you can buy tickets, go to the toilet wander round the shop, grab refreshments or start your day out.
Enjoy the exhibition
One of the first parts of a visit to Stonehenge is the exhibition which tells the story of Stonehenge through multi-media displays and many artefacts from the time that Stonehenge was built. The exhibition features over 250 archaeological objects discovered in the landscape, including everything from jewellery, pottery and tools to ancient human remains.
Explore the Neolithic village
Just outside the Visitor Centre you can discover the little Neolithic village, made from Neolithic houses complete with English Heritage volunteers demonstrating ancient crafts and cooking and often in Neolithic dress too. This really helps you to imagine how people lived 4,500 years ago.
Try to move a mighty Sarsen stone
Next to the Neolithic village there is the mighty Sarsen stone, a replica of the iconic Stonehenge stones, where you can test your strength and see if you can make it move. This makes us wonder even more, how did the Stonehenge stones get to where they now stand!?
Enjoy a bus ride – or leisurely walk!
After exploring the full Visitor Centre, you can walk to Stoenhenge or take the free shuttle bus. We have always walked – as it’s a nice walk, just along the side of the road that the bus travels along, and it’s good exercise after a long journey! However, we do usually get the bus back for the return trip to save our legs!
Visit the Stone Circle
At the end of the bus trip, or walk, you’ll come face to face with the incredible stone circle of Stonehenge. A walk around the Stone Circle is definitely the highlight of any visit to the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.
See the stones from all angles, stop to take photos and enjoy walking around one of the oldest and most well known monuments in the world.
Enjoy refreshments in the cafe
After making your way back to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre you could stop for refreshments in the cafe. It’s got plenty of seating and offers a really varied menu, with something for everyone.
Buy a souvenir in the shop
Our last stop is always to the Stonehenge gift shop, picking up a magnet or other souvenir from our visit. But, they also have a great range of local merchandise too.
We had such a nice day at Stonehenge and it really is so much more than just a bunch of stones. Plus, if you have English Heritage or National Trust membership you can visit for free.
Find out more about Stonehenge over on their website and for reference, the address is: Salisbury SP4 7DE
