Stonehenge

Address: 2 miles west of Amesbury on junction of A303 and A344/A36
Contact details for English Heritage:
Telephone: 0870 333 1181 Fax: 01793 414926 Textphone: 0800 015 0516
Email: English Heritage customer services
Website: English Heritage - Stonehenge
Directions from M3: Two miles west of Amesbury on junction of A303 and A344/A36
Admission times: Every day, apart from Christmas Day and Christmas Eve
Admission charge: Adult £6.40, Child (5 - 15) £3.20, Concession (student, pensioner) £5.10, Family Ticket
(2 adults + up to 3 children) £16. English Heritage and National Trust Members- Free
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: Yes

Pictures courtesy of English Heritage

Stonehenge is thought to date from 3,000 BC and is the most celebrated prehistoric monument in Britain. It was built in three stages, and consists of three concentric circles, aligned with the rising sun at the solstice. Some of the stones, weighing nearly four tonnes each, originated from the Welsh mountains, an astonishing 240 miles away. How they got there continues to intrigue the archaeologists, but is thought to involve giant rollers, rafts, and a lot of dragging.

Light work: the stones align with the sunrise on Midsummer's Day

Some of the bigger stones (up to 50 tonnes) were more locally sourced. It would have taken 500 men using leather ropes to pull one stone. Antlers and bones were used to dig the massive holes for the stones. Experts have worked out that the site's construction required more than thirty million hours of labour.

Staring in front of this staggering structure, it's hard not to ask yourself: why? Many people think the stones are part of a huge astronomical calendar, that can be used to calculate the rising and setting of the moon, and predict eclipses. Certainly, every year, on Midsummer's Day, a person can stand in the exact centre of the circle and know that the rising sun will shine directly on him through a line of stone pillars. Some think it was built as an ancient temple for sun worshipping. Another popular theory is that the Druids, the high priests of the Celts, constructed it for sacrificial ceremonies. Others have speculated that the stones were put there by the Devil, or aliens.

Ultimately, it remains one of the biggest mysteries in the Universe...

No stone unturned: but the mystery of Stonehenge remains...

Plus, don't miss out on Avebury...

Stonehenge is not the only ancient monument in this area. Only 25 miles north of Stonehenge is the Avebury stone circle, argued to be the most impressive of all remaining prehistoric sites in Europe. Unlike at Stonehenge, you can wander around, among the sheep, touching the stones – and it's completely free. Avebury is considered to be one of the most sacred, spiritual centres in the country. There's also a museum, shop and cafe near the site. Find out more about National Trust Avebury