Is Stonehenge Worth Visiting?

Stonehenge is timeless. Dating back thousands of years ago even before the pyramids of Egypt, this ancient monument never ceases to move the people’s imagination until today. Traces of its construction were faded through time, but this is the reason it remains popular. It is the mystery behind its structure and the unexplainable purpose of its existence that triggers the desire to head to Salisbury, England to see it in person.

WHY VISIT STONEHENGE

Stonehenge is a must-see destination to those who have an interest in ancient monuments and to those who have developed a sense of curiosity on how and why it exists. But perhaps the value of these prehistoric stones might be transient to those who were just persuaded by tour operators who are satisfied only by taking selfies of the famous site. It might seem just as a massive block of rocks in the middle of a grassland in South Central England, but how these rocks stood there is still an unsolved puzzle. Understanding the great task of achieving such edifice in earlier days is where appreciation starts and even respect.

THE MYSTERY

The significance of these prehistoric stones lies on its age. Constructed by the early civilization in a time where tools are scarce and resources are few, such kind of monument is an amazing feat. The huge time and effort spent to complete the structure are unimaginable.

Several theories were created on how Stonehenge was built but nothing is still certain until today. It is unbelievable to think that these heavy slabs of rock came several miles away from Salisbury plain.

The outer stone circle, called Sarsen stones, weighs around 25 tons. These rocks were possibly brought from Marlborough Downs, roughly 40 kilometers away, where such kind of stone is common. On the other hand, the smaller inner ring of stones, called bluestones, measures about 4 tons. However, such kind of stone matches nowhere nearby Stonehenge. Archaeologists only found resemblance of bluestones in an area Southwest of Wales, more than 200 km away. It is very intriguing how Neolithic people transported huge blocks of stones at such great distance. Was it really moved by humans? Or was it just carried by some forces of nature? But for sure, it is impossible for nature to carve and arrange it in such way.

WHY IT WAS BUILT

Imagining the immense work needed to complete such monument in ancient times, it must be a very important structure to people those days. Religion might be a strong driving force for people to carry on a difficult task. It could possibly be a sacred place of worship, a site for religious ceremonies, or a destination for pilgrims. But these are just speculations without any firm evidence.

Other researchers suggest that Stonehenge might be an early astronomical tool that predicts the movement of the sun and moon. This is after their observation that during Summer Solstice, the sun directly rises at the center of the monument. Also, during the Winter Solstice, the sunset is aligned at the center of the large sarsen stones. These two phenomena strengthened their belief that Stonehenge was once an astronomical observatory. Was the alignment just a coincidence? Or was it made for that purpose? Nobody knows.

After a series of excavations around the area of the famous site, archaeologists found hundreds of human bones of different ages. This leads them to consider Stonehenge as a burial site. It might be a final resting place for certain people, which could be a clan or members of the royalty.

As many people find interest in searching for the purpose of these iconic stone pillars, several theories came up one after another. But until now, what we have are merely speculations without any clear evidence that points directly to the real reason why it was constructed.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Stonehenge’s distinctive arrangement of stones is instantly recognizable even in the distant corners of the world. The megaliths have become an iconic monument that represents the British culture and history. It has been depicted in arts and featured in many forms of media. This enigmatic site is one of the wonders of the ancient world, thus attracting visitors from all around the globe.

Stonehenge stands on a remote grassland of Salisbury plain, yet thousands of visitors come to see the popular stone circle and discover it for themselves. Several guided bus tours run from London which is the most convenient way to get there if you do not mind about fixed schedules.

Tour operators offer varied options wherein you can choose either a morning or an afternoon tour, or even a full-day tour to Stonehenge and other archaeological sites close to it. You can also opt to combine your Stonehenge tour with other nearby attractions like the Salisbury Cathedral and the Roman Baths. You can spend at least two hours exploring the prehistoric stones and maximize your tour by going further to other must-see destinations along the way.

If you prefer to have it your way and have an independent trip to Stonehenge, you can go by car or by public transport. If you are coming from London, the travel time is around 2 hours by car and 20 minutes more if you use public transport. You can take the train at Waterloo station that departs every day with an hour interval going to Salisbury Railway Station, the nearest train station to Stonehenge. From there, a dedicated Stonehenge Tour Bus will take you to Stonehenge Visitor’s Center. There are no public buses available that go directly to Stonehenge.

STONEHENGE VISITOR’S CENTER

The Stonehenge Visitor’s Center is the gateway to the prehistoric monument. Here, you can purchase your tickets, collect your audio guide, and pick up your guidebook. But I do suggest booking your tickets ahead especially during the peak season to avoid disappointments. Besides, you can get discounts when you purchase tickets online in advance.

From the Visitor’s Center, a free shuttle bus will take you to the famous stone circle, around 2 km away. If you love to walk towards the site to relish the surrounding landscape, walking trails are provided. Do not expect to get hold of the stones unless you are on a special access visit. Normally, the closest point you can get is about 30 feet away. Visitors are not permitted to go beyond the rope barrier that surrounds the monument, perhaps a part of the preservation. But the distance is enough to appreciate the prehistoric monument, recognize its value, and understand why it is one of the wonders of the world.

To know more about Stone Circle, you can spend time at the Stonehenge exhibition at the Visitor’s center for comprehensive information about the site. It displays several archaeological finds as well as presents the different theories on how and why Stonehenge was built.