How to visit Stonehenge | Opening hours | Best time to visit Stonehenge
Find Out Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Stonehenge
We put together the most important and best information and tips you’ll need to know before buying your Stonehenge skip-the-line ticket or booking your guided Stonehenge tour. Our Stonehenge visiting tips will help you save money and time. That way, you can enjoy your visit to Stonehenge to the fullest. Here you’ll find all the valuable tips you need to know before visiting Stonehenge.
When Can You Visit Stonehenge – Stonehenge Opening Hours!
Stonehenge and the Visitor Center are open almost every day of the year except for a few national holidays. Opening hours can vary depending on the time of the year.
The last admission to Stonehenge is 2 hours before the closing time.
Stonehenge Working Hours
SUMMER SEASON
March 16th – September 6th
Monday – Sunday: 9:30 – 19:00
WINTER SEASON
September 6th – March 15th
Monday – Sunday: 9:30 – 17:00
WHEN IS STONEHENGE CLOSED FOR VISITORS?
Stonehenge is only closed on Christmas Day (December 25th). But other than that, you can visit Stonehenge every day, all year round.
Information About Visiting Stonehenge
If you are traveling around England and the UK, there is no chance you will return home without visiting Stonehenge. The most important thing to note before visiting is Stonehenge’s working hours and the ticket-buying procedures. Read our guide on visiting Stonehenge and prepare yourself for an unforgettable visit to the fascinating prehistoric monument.
We have gathered everything you will need to know before you visit Stonehenge! Read our tips and be well prepared to discover its mysteries!
When can you visit Stonehenge for free?
You can visit Stonehenge for free on the first day of summer, during the summer solstice. Witness astronomical phenomena and ancient celebrations on the longest day of the year. Make sure to arrive early, as this is the unique moment to see the sunrise. On this specific occasion, Stonehenge visitors can also enter the inner circle of stones. If you are a member of the National Trust, you can enter Stonehenge for free. It is important to emphasize that you will still have to book a time in advance for your visit to Stonehenge, even though it will cost you nothing.
What Is The Best Time To Visit The Stonehenge?
Do you want to avoid crowds? The best time to visit Stonehenge is early morning right after opening or late afternoon just before closing. There are fewer visitors during these times of the day, so you will beat the crowds. If you are visiting during the winter, aim for the early afternoon, around 14:00h. It’s good to know that summer is the busiest time to visit Stonehenge. The summer season starts in June and lasts until the middle of September. So if you want to avoid busy days and big crowds, the best time of year to visit Stonehenge would be Spring or Autumn. Pick between April, May, or October. The weather is not as cold and rainy as it is during the winter. Mark your calendar and prepare for the awe-inspiring journey to one of the most famous landmarks in the UK.
What can you see at Stonehenge?
The Stonehenge stone circle
The most notable and essential thing to see during your visit is undoubtedly the stone circle monument. The stone circle is the most mysterious prehistoric wonder of the world. It comes as no surprise that millions of people visit the monument each year. Keep in mind that the monument area doesn’t have any shelter, toilets, or a place to buy refreshments. So dress in layers and bring a bottle of water with you.
Gift Shop
The Stonehenge gift shop is located inside the Visitor Center. Inside the gift shop, you can find a wide range of UK-made gifts, souvenirs, and books manufactured exclusively for Stonehenge.
Stonehenge Visitor Center
The Stonehenge Visitor Centre was opened in 2013, and it’s located around 2 km from the Stonehenge monument. The visitors will be introduced adequately to one of the most important prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge, in the Salisbury area. At the Stonehenge Visitor Center, you can see objects used in its construction and the men and women, their lives, rituals, and daily struggles from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Stonehenge Exhibition
The Stonehenge exhibition in the Visitor Center consists of over 250 ancient objects and archeological finds from prehistoric times. All exhibition pieces were found in or around Stonehenge. You can see tools, pottery, jewelry, and even mortal remains there. To see the exhibition, you need to have a full Stonehenge ticket. The exhibition will give you a great insight into the history of Stonehenge and assumptions about what the monument served for and how it was built.
Neolithic Houses
There is an open gallery with reconstructed Neolithic houses. There you can also see a demonstration of how the stones for Stonehenge were transported.
Family Facilities
There are on-site toilets, baby changing, and feeding facilities inside the Stonehenge Visitor Center.
Stonehenge Café
If you want some refreshments or a bite to eat, there is a café inside the Stonehenge Visitor Center. The café does not serve proper meals. But you can get hot and cold beverages, Cornish pastries, salads, sandwiches, soups, and other sweet and savory delicacies.
Getting to the Stonehenge
Since Stonehenge is one of the most visited attractions in the UK, it’s relatively easy to get to it from anywhere in the country. Visiting Stonehenge from London is the most common as there are many organized tours and day trips. You can also get to Stonehenge by public transport, car rental, or train. Before you visit the stone circle monument, we advise you to plan your arrival at the meeting point on time. If you’ve booked a guided tour, there is a chance that transportation will be organized for you. Once you get to the Stonehenge Visitor Center, you can get a shuttle bus or walk to the monument. The stone circle landmark is only about 2 km away from the Visitor Center.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
You can go on a trip to Stonehenge by taking a train from London to Salisbury. Trains drive to London every half an hour. The trip to Salisbury train station will take you around two and a half hours.
BY CAR
You can also get to Stonehenge by car, or if you don’t have one – rent it. London is about a 2-hour drive from Stonehenge if there is no traffic. If you decide to go by car, Stonehenge is located in the beautiful Salisbury area. Do not miss out on visiting the city and rural English countryside.
STONEHENGE TOUR
The easiest way to get to the Stonehenge monument is by going on an organized tour. The tour operator will handle all tickets and arrangements so that you can relax during the trip. Check if your desired tour has organized transport to the Stonehenge stone circle monument.
How long does it take to visit Stonehenge?
Visiting the iconic Stonehenge monument will take you around 40 minutes to 1 hour. But if you want to get more out of your experience, the tour of Stonehenge can take about 2 hours. Make the most out of your visit and purchase a full ticket that allows you to explore the exhibitions in the Visitor Center. Once you’re done visiting Stonehenge, you can spend as much time as you want to discover the extensive content of the Visitor Center.
Want to learn more? Book Your Stonehenge tour now & get the best value for your money!
Stonehenge Tickets & Stonehenge Tours
With a Stonehenge ticket, you will have access to the Stonehenge Visitor Center. The full Stonehenge ticket allows you to enter the Stonehenge Exhibition inside the Visitor Centre and the open gallery of Neolithic houses.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Are you looking for a Stonehenge Ticket?
Make the most of your visit to Stonehenge by purchasing a ticket in advance and setting the time of your visit. You’ll save a lot of time and be fully prepared for your experience. By buying your Stonehenge ticket in advance, you can better plan the rest of your travels around the UK. There are numerous Stonehenge tickets and tours available. Take a look and find the Stonehenge ticket that is perfect for you.
What do I need to know before going to Stonehenge? – Tips for your Stonehenge visit!
Everything you need to know before visiting Stonehenge.
- Make sure you have your way of getting to Stonehenge planned beforehand. Figure out your mode of transport to Stonehenge in advance.
- Don’t miss out on exploring the Stonehenge Visitor Center. Set aside some time, and check out the Exhibitions inside the Visitor Center. It will make your experience even better.
- Book your Stonehenge tickets in advance! We can’t stress this enough. There is a set timed entry system in place for Stonehenge visits. You must book your ticket in advance to visit the iconic monument.
- Expect Stonehenge to remain a mystery even after your guided tour. You may end your tour with even more questions about the landmark than you had at the beginning. The truth is, to this day, we still don’t know exactly why and who built Stonehenge.
- Bring a water bottle with you. There is no place to buy refreshments at the actual stone circle monument.
- There are toilets and family facilities at the Visitor Center, located around 2 km away from the actual Stonehenge monument.
- Explore the surrounding region and towns! Discover charming villages and towns around Salisbury Plain and make your visit to Stonehenge complete.
Best tips for visiting Stonehenge!
We bring you the top three tips for visiting Stonehenge!
1.
BUY YOUR STONEHENGE TICKETS ONLINE
To be appropriately well prepared, the best thing to do is buy your tickets in advance and online. This way, you will avoid unnecessary waiting around, and you’ll also get the best value for your money. Also, there are only predetermined time slots for Stonehenge visits. You’ll have a better chance of visiting Stonehenge if you buy your tickets online.
BUY STONEHENGE TICKETS
2.
BUY A FULL STONEHENGE TICKET
By purchasing a full Stonehenge ticket, you gain entry to the Visitor Center, which allows you access to the Stonehenge Exhibition and Neolithic Houses.
BUY STONEHENGE TICKET
3.
BOOK YOUR STONEHENGE TOUR IN ADVANCE
A guided tour of Stonehenge will give you a fantastic insight into the monument’s history and all of its mysteries. Be prepared to have an experience of a lifetime exploring the prehistoric landmark. There are many extended tours where you’ll be able to see multiple locations in a single day. Check our Stonehenge and Bath or Stonehenge and Windsor Castle tour now.
STONEHENGE GUIDED TOURS
FAQ – Visiting the Stonehenge
Why is Stonehenge so famous?
Stonehenge is known to be the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric monument in the world. With its surrounding landscapes and related monuments, Stonehenge helps us better understand the English heritage of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial practices and lifestyles.
Why is Stonehenge a mystery?
The type of rock used for the building of Stonehenge and Avebury stone circle is called Sarsen stone. Prehistoric people may have considered Sarsen to be profoundly mysterious and precious because it only appears as semi-buried or loose boulders without a connection to any bedrock.
Can you touch the stones at Stonehenge?
You are not allowed to stand on, lean, or touch the stones of Stonehenge. However, while sightseeing inside the stone circle of the monument, you can take as many photos as you like and marvel at the iconic landmark.
Is Stonehenge a wonder of the world?
Stonehenge is one of the most well-known ancient wonders of the world. This iconic 5,000-year-old stone circle monument became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Is there a dress code for Stonehenge?
There is no specific dress code you need to follow when you visit Stonehenge. But British weather can be unpredictable, so we advise you to wear layered outfits and bring an umbrella or a raincoat. Also, make sure you are dressed comfortably for your sightseeing adventure in Stonehenge.
Learn more about the iconic Stonehenge
Book your Stonehenge tour and get to know all the mysteries and the history of this fascinating prehistoric ruin.
