How can I visit Stonehenge?
WHERE IS STONEHENGE?
To see where Stonehenge is, click here to open a Google Map in a new window. There is also an aerial view here using the satellite feature.
The distance from central London is about 87 miles or 136 kilometres and takes around 2 hours by car. The distance from Salisbury, the nearest city with a railway station, to Stonehenge is about 9 miles or 15 kilometres. The distance to the sea is around 30 miles. The postcode for your sat nav or GPS is SP4 4DE or What3Words is steamed.hairspray.hungry.
STONEHENGE OPENING TIMES 2023/24
Sept - March 9.30 - 16.00. Last entrance 14.30.
Closed 25th December.
Between 20th and 22nd June access arrangements vary for midsummer celebrations.
Allow at least an hour to walk around Stonehenge itself plus time for the exhibition, shop etc.
IS THERE A DIRECT COACH TO STONEHENGE FROM LONDON?
There is a direct coach several mornings in winter and every morning in summer. It runs from central London and gives you about 2 hours at Stonehenge. Prices are currently £65 per adult including entrance to Stonehenge. Details and online booking at Stonehenge Direct. This is cheaper than the train and bus alternative.
WHAT'S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT STONEHENGE?
Either first thing in the morning as it opens or as late in the day as possible before it closes. Anytime from 4pm in summer or 2pm in winter. The first coach tours arrive quite early, but most are gone back to London/Bath (after having missed seeing the other monuments in the landscape!) by 4 pm and it starts to get more peaceful. Be careful of the last bus times if you have used public transport from Salisbury.
The best time of year for tours is more difficult to answer. It gets very busy in late July through to mid September which are certainly the warmest months. In winter it gets very cold, but you can get some good pictures like the one above. On balance the best time to tour is April to early July or October, but anytime is good! There is usually a wind up on the Plain and it is better to go with more clothes than you think you need.
CAN I BUY DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO STONEHENGE IN ADVANCE?
Buying tickets in advance is essential to guarantee entrance. There is a timed ticket system in operation and advance booking is advised to avoid queues. The entrance or admission fee for Stonehenge is £27 -30 for adults without a booking depending on when you go.There are dicounted tickets at Buy tickets now. You also get a 25% discount on a guidebook with this ticket. Don't forget to download your Audio guide as below.
IS THERE CAR PARKING AT STONEHENGE?
Car parking at Stonehenge is free except during the school holidays. The car park charge is rebated against your entrance fee. If you already have a ticket purchased above there is no charge just show your ticket.
IS THERE AN AUDIO GUIDED TOUR OF STONEHENGE?
There is an audio tour in 11 different languages that you can download for free at Android Stonehenge tour or here for Apple Stonehenge tour. These are the official guides and beware of paid for downloadable guides.You can listen to the tour in advance. There is a description of the landscape as well if you decide to walk over to Stonehenge from the Visitors Centre.
IS STONEHENGE FENCED OFF?
There is an outer perimeter fence, but once you are through the gate there is a piece of thin rope about 60cm/2feet high which keeps you back from the stones. The nearest you get is around 15m/yds away, but the view is still good. You won't be looking through a fence at Stonehenge. The advantage is that you will still be able to get a good photo of Stonehenge without anybody else in the shot making it look like you are there on your own. If you want to see a photo of the stones from behind the 2 foot high rope with no magnification just send us an e-mail and we'll send it to you. If you want to go inside after Stonehenge has closed to the public see our Special Access tours page
IS THERE A CAFE OR RESTAURANT AT STONEHENGE?
Yes there is a nice light and airey cafe selling a range of hot and cold food. If you want a recommendation on a good pub near Stonehenge for lunch please contact us.
INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
If you're arriving by train and you just want to tour Stonehenge, there is a (very expensive!) bus service from Salisbury railway station. The buses run every hour in winter and half-hourly in summer. The journey to Stonehenge takes 33 minutes and costs £19.50 return excluding entrance fees. The combined ticket with entrance to Stonehenge is cheaper than buying them separately. Return journeys from Stonehenge leave on the hour starting at 10 am in winter and more frequently in summer.Make sure you know the time of the last bus as it's a long walk! If 4 of you are on a tour a taxi may be cheaper for you - as well as more flexible, quicker, and you can store your luggage in the taxi. Agree the price with the driver before you leave the station.
LEFT LUGGAGE AT STONEHENGE
No left luggage service is available at Stonehenge or Salisbury Railway Station and there is nowhere nearby that can store it for you unfortunately. If you use a taxi you can leave your luggage in it when you tour Stonehenge subject to the driver agreeing. On the bus you will have to take it with you around Stonehenge when you get there. A Stonehenge day tour may be easier and cheaper if you are travelling from London.
If you want to extend your tour in the area we can arrange discounted stays at one of the best hotels in Salisbury. For further information please go to our accommodation page.
THE SUN, MOON, PLANETS AND STONEHENGE.
Much has been written about Stonehenge and its relationship to the sun, moon and the planets. Some of it very fanciful, but interesting. The more serious writings by noted astronomers are usually very long and complex for the lay person. In our view the best starting points are the following pages;
Our
Astronomical alignments of Stonehenge feature written by well known local archeoastronomer Simon Banton.
Royal Astronomical Society - Stonehenge and Ancient Astronomy. Published as part of the International Year of Astronomy this downloadable leaflet contains great diagrams and explanations of Stonehenge and the Sun;Stonehenge and the Moon; and other famous sites. Alternatively try:
Tiverton Astronomy Society with its excellent summary. It gives a good explanation of the history of astronomical research on Stonehenge complete with clear diagrams. The references to the authors of the research may tempt you to undertake further research. Good luck!
BOOKS ON STONEHENGE.
Lots of them to choose from and a selection of the best can be found on our Books page.
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