SPIRITUAL STONES
STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND
Uncover the story of Stonehenge. Take in the unforgettable atmosphere of this World Heritage Site and best known prehistoric monument in Europe, visit the world-class exhibition to discover how the Stonehenge builders worked and walk amongst the Neolithic houses to experience how they lived.
A walk around the Stone Circle is the centrepiece of any visit to the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.
With a history spanning 4,500 years Stonehenge has many different meanings to people today. It is a wonder of the world, a spiritual place and a source of inspiration. The Stone Circle at Stonehenge has been standing since around 2500BC. Over the centuries, the stones have developed their own unique personalities and stories: some people see faces in the weathered sarsens, and the birds have favourite nooks to shelter in.
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STONE CIRCLE EXPERIENCE
This is an unforgettable opportunity to spend time inside the tranquil circle of Stonehenge.
Stone Circle Experience at Stonehenge takes you up close to this world-famous monument. Learn the secrets of the stones from your knowledgeable host and experience the power and mystery of these ancient sarsens and bluestones for yourself.
Visits last for an hour and take place outside of the normal opening hours. It’s subject to very limited availability, with a maximum of 30 people per session.
On arrival you will be directed by your Stone Circle Experience host to the shuttle bus for the short journey to the stones.
Once you arrive at the stones, you’re free to wander amongst them discovering all the fascinating details on these mighty sarsens and bluestones that are only visible up close, with your knowledgeable host on hand to answer any questions you may have. While you're in the stone circle you can take as many photos as you like, or just marvel at their majesty, however you can’t stand on or touch the stones.
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If your visit is in the morning the exhibition will be open from 9.30am. If your visit is after general admission visits close at 5pm you are welcome on site from 4pm to explore the visitor centre. The exhibition, shop and café close at 5pm.
SOLSTICE
At Stonehenge on the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge.
Observers at Stonehenge at the winter solstice, standing in the enclosure entrance and facing the centre of the stones, can watch the sun set in the south-west part of the horizon.
EXHIBITIONS
Discover the story of Stonehenge: the Stones, the landscape, the people and its meaning, through a powerful combination of cutting-edge audio-visual experiences and incredible ancient objects.
Over 250 archaeological objects and treasures discovered in the landscape, are displayed together at Stonehenge for the first time. Ranging from jewellery, pottery and tools to ancient human remains, many of these items are on loan from our museum partners, Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum.
See the face of a man who was here 5,500 years ago - a forensic reconstruction based on his bones found near Stonehenge.
They’re also other regular special exhibitions in the visitor centre.
LIVE! SEE THE SKIES ABOVE STONEHENGE
The Skyscape website has been created by English Heritage to enable people around the world to experience the skies above the iconic stone circle, to learn about movements of the sun, moon and planets and to see the solar alignment at Stonehenge Aside from the technical and informational aspects of Skyscape it’s also the hope that you’ll enjoy it from a more human perspective. They’ve created a webpage which offers a small escape, a pleasant place to visit, to which you can return frequently, even within a single day, and connect with the land, the stones and the skies above. https://www.stonehengeskyscape.co.uk/
Stonehenge is a masterpiece of engineering, and building it would have taken huge effort from hundreds of well-organised people using only simple tools and technologies. Visit Stonehenge to find out more about this iconic symbol of Britain.