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Prehistoric monument
Stonehenge
Circle of sarsen and bluestones built in phases from about 3100 BC, aligned on the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset.
A mini guide to
Stonehenge and Amesbury
The stones, Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and the barrows of the Stonehenge landscape
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
The stones, Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and the barrows of the Stonehenge landscape
Stonehenge stands on Salisbury Plain about 2 miles west of Amesbury. It was built in phases from about 3100 BC, with the great sarsen circle raised between 2600 and 2400 BC, and sits among the densest group of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.
English Heritage runs the stones and the visitor centre to the west of them, with an exhibition, reconstructed Neolithic houses and timed tickets. Around them the National Trust cares for over 800 hectares of chalk grassland, open on foot, with the Cursus, the Avenue and groups of barrows. Amesbury, which claims to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied settlement, has Woodhenge and Durrington Walls on its northern edge.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
Stonehenge Visitor Centre
English Heritage exhibition on the builders of Stonehenge, with reconstructed Neolithic houses and a café; tickets cover the stones too.
Directions Website Report a problem with Stonehenge Visitor Centre
Earthwork
Stonehenge Avenue
Bank-and-ditch avenue nearly 3 km long linking the stones with the River Avon, partly aligned on the midsummer sunrise.
Earthwork
Stonehenge Cursus
Neolithic enclosure about 3 km long, dug between 3630 and 3375 BC, centuries before the first phase of Stonehenge.
Barrow cemetery
King Barrow Ridge
Bronze Age burial mounds among old beech trees east of the stones, with a view across to the circle.
Barrow cemetery
Winterbourne Stoke Barrow Cemetery
Group of 17 burial mounds west of Stonehenge that includes every style of barrow found in southern England.
Directions Website Report a problem with Winterbourne Stoke Barrow Cemetery
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Stonehenge and Amesbury and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Book the day before
English Heritage's online price applies until midnight the day before your visit; tickets bought on the day cost more. Tickets are valid all day.
2
Pre-book parking
Drivers must book parking in advance. English Heritage warns that cars left on the A303 or nearby roads will be towed.
3
Members go free
English Heritage members enter free, and National Trust (England) members can book free tickets with the code given on the English Heritage site.
4
Walk in from Amesbury
The National Trust puts Stonehenge Down about 2 miles from Amesbury along byways and bridleways, and Durrington Walls about 1.5 miles.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Stonehenge and Amesbury (area photo): Julie Anne Workman, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Stonehenge: Stefan Kühn, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Stonehenge Visitor Centre: M J Roscoe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stonehenge Avenue: Ashley Columbus, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Stonehenge Cursus: Psychostevouk (talk), Public domain, source
- Normanton Down Barrows: David Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Woodhenge: Neil Owen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Durrington Walls: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cuckoo Stone: Roy Hastings, CC BY 3.0, source
- Church of St Mary and St Melor: Matthew Black, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Amesbury History Centre: Roger Cornfoot, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bulford Kiwi: Jonathanjosh1, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Avebury and Marlborough: Bo&Ko, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Salisbury and Old Sarum: Andrew Dunn (Website: http://www.andrewdunnphoto.com/), CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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