Stonehenge
Known as the last chapter of the Stone Age, Stonehenge is among the century's most intriguing and perplexing collection of standing stones. A relic placed at England's Salisbury Plain remains erect as it attracts tourists worldwide.
Stonehenge is considered one of the wonders of England and has been awarded UNESCO world heritage status. However, the mysterious part is that there is no trace of how it was built or why it was built till date.
This timeless monument has been studied for centuries, yet, its purpose remains unknown to humanity. Leaving no trace of tales or written language, the whereabouts of this monument's creators also remain a mystery.
Despite many theories on the existence of this monument, this landscape is worth visiting for every tourist who likes a little bit of mystery and would also like to experience the last chapter of the stone age. The monument has been considered an astronomical clock as per one theory, a bronze age burial ground as per another theory, and a pagan place of worship as per yet another theory. Next, it is up to you to visit this historical place and create your theory.
Just two hours from London, one can reach Stonehenge via their private cars, the half-day tour coach available among many guide companies, or through a combination of rail and bus transportation. Once you reach the visitor centre of this monument, there are two ways to get to the monument, and they are as follows:
- Ticketed tour of Stonehenge
- Non-ticketed tour of Stonehenge
As you reach the visitor centre for the monument, there will be a large cafeteria for one to munch on some snacks and take that coffee break. Your car/ coach can be parked at the parking lot, only a few metres away from the visitor centre ( free car parking). Plenty of changing rooms, toilets and washrooms are located opposite the cafe. The cafeteria is attached to a gift shop that sells many souvenirs about the Stonehenge monument.
The visitor centre also holds a ticketing counter for the monument. One can also view the monument without buying a ticket, but it lacks some services. Read further to know what to expect on the ticketed and non-ticketed tours.
Ticketed tour: If you buy the ticket for the tour, you will be able to use the shuttle bus service (included in the ticket) to go to the stone circle where the monument is located and use the same shuttle bus service to come back to the visitor centre. The ticket can be bought in advance through online booking here or via the counter at the visitor centre. With this ticket, you can go as close as possible to the monument and admire it from every angle possible.
Non-ticketed tour: You can still visit the monument without buying a ticket. You will not be able to avail the shuttle bus service to reach the monument but will instead have to walk to the monument, which is a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. It is an easy trail and can be covered in about 20 minutes, depending on your pace. Once you reach the monument, you will be directed to another route around Stonehenge, about 50 metres away. The non-ticketed tour does not allow you to be as close to the monument but instead allows you to walk around the Stonehenge at distance of 50-60 metres. However, one can view and enjoy the monument from this distance as well, and for someone who would not be too keen on visiting the monument closely, this would be an ideal option.
The monument is magnificent and sure gives any onlooker a surreal feeling. Once you head back to the visitor centre, you will also notice a few old houses
depicting another portion of the stone age. As a UNESCO world heritage site, Stonehenge is a monument worth visiting during your trip to the UK.
