How to Visit Stonehenge in 2 Hours!
Short on time? You can see all Stonehenge has to offer easily within 2 hours. Everything you need to know, my experience and frequently asked questions!
Stonehenge is a famous prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England. It consists of large standing stones, known as sarsens, positioned in a ring. These typically weigh 20 tonnes and stand up to 7 meters / 23 feet tall. Inside this circle, are smaller bluestones in a horseshoe arrangement sourced from the Preseli Hills in Wales.
The stones are aligned with the rising and setting of the midsummer and midwinter sun solstices, suggesting people could have gathered here for ceremonies at these times of the year. However the reason behind Stonehenge remains a topic of debate amongst the population, and theories range from an astronomical observatory, a religious site or burial ground.
The exact significance of Stonehenge remains a mystery to this very day. The stones are set in the middle of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England.
The History of Stonehenge
Stonehenge was not the first monument to be built here. The area had significance to the Neolithic people for hundreds of years before this work started.
The construction was developed over several stages throughout thousands of years, and time periods are predicted to range from 3100 – 1600 BCE.
Construction
The construction began 3000 BCE with a circular ditch and bank where large timber posts were placed in a horseshoe shape.
The stone circle
This was built in several stages, with the large sarsen stones positioned in an outer circle with lintels placed on top. Inside the circle smaller bluestones were placed in various patterns. This is thought to have been around 2600 – 2200 BCE.
Alterations
Some alterations were made to the monument including a route leading away from Stonehenge in 2200 – 1600 BCE.
However around 1600-1500 BCE stonehenge was gradually abandoned and fell into a state of disrepair.
In the centuries that followed, many myths and legends formed about Stonehenge. In 1986 it became a UNESCO world heritage site, attracting more than one million visitors every year.
Today, due to the fragile archaeology and stones, access inside the circle is limited and only possible at certain times outside normal opening hours.
My Experience
I visited Stonehenge in July during the summer months to try and ensure the best possible weather. Whilst British weather can be very unpredictable I was fortunate enough to visit on a dry, slightly cool day. I was short on time therefore my goal was to see everything Stonehenge had to offer within 2 hours. I am happy to say – mission complete! Due to a limited number of days we were visiting, me and my partner visited Stonehenge on Sunday.
Getting to Stonehenge
I decided an early admission would be best so I traveled to Salisbury the night before and stayed in a hotel. The stone hotel was a 15 minute drive away from Stonehenge and offered a perfect night’s sleep for a reasonable price. The next morning, Saturday, I set off for Stonehenge and arrived just after 9am.
On Arrival
There were plenty of spaces in the car park to choose from. I parked the car and headed towards the visitors center even though it did not open until 09:30 to look around.
There were two ticket desks, one for ‘members and pre-booked tickets’ and the other for ‘today’s tickets’. There were a few people around but no-one was queuing for tickets yet. So I had a look around near the entrance and was able to take pictures of the builder’s homes and building blocks whilst it was quiet.
I then started the queue for the prepaid tickets (I had already bought tickets online beforehand). Once the ticket counters had opened it was a very quick transaction. At the ticket desk our booking confirmation was checked, and we were handed a free orientation leaflet. Then we were granted entry.
To the stone Circle!
We decided to go and see the main attraction first . . . the stones!! To get there you have two options. You can take the visitor shuttle bus (to complete Stonehenge in 2 hours you will need this option), or you can walk.
The shuttle bus takes 5-10 minutes and runs as frequently as every few minutes throughout the day.
Or you can follow a well sign posted route, passing the Bronze age burial grounds on the way. Walking to the stone circle takes between 25-40 minutes depending on your pace.
I was the first one on the visitor bus (located to the left once you have passed the ticket offices) and the bus departed shortly after 09:30.
Viewing the stone circle
We arrived at the stone circle at approximately 09:40, there were already a few visitors there, however the crowds were manageable and it was easy enough to take photos without other people in the background!
The stones are set behind a barrier restricting how close you can get. At one point you can get as close as 5 meters to the stone circle from the visitors path. The visitor’s path goes all the way around the circle, usually with a one way operating system in place.
You can learn about the stone circle through the free audio guide – you can download this in advance or once you arrive from the apple store or google play. Search for ‘stonehenge audio tour’. The audio guide is available in 13 languages and can be used at the stone circle, the stonehenge landscape and the exhibition. Make sure you bring your earphones. The audio points throughout the visit are well marked.
We spent approximately 30 minutes exploring the circle and taking pictures. This was enough time to explore and take all the pictures we needed. If you visit later in the day, you may wish to allow more time as the crowds will likely be larger meaning you may have to wait longer to take your photos.
We then only had to wait a couple of minutes for the next bus to turn up. We jumped back on the bus from the same location we got dropped off and rode the bus back to the visitors center.
Trying to move the stone
Once back at the visitors center we explored the rest of the grounds. At the opposite side of the visitors center is an exact replica of one of the large upright sarsens stones. You can attempt to try and move the stone (and take a photo!) but remember the original stone weighed about 20 tonnes so don’t be too disappointed when it doesn’t move!
The queue only consisted of a couple of people so you weren’t waiting long for your turn.
Exploring the homes for the builders of Stonehenge
In the same area you can explore the homes of the builders of Stonehenge. These are recreations based on the remains from Neolithic houses discovered at Durrington Walk, just over a mile from Stonehenge.
You can step through the front door and get an idea about what life was like living in these houses.
There was no queue. Just be mindful of other people as you are walking around. You may wish to photograph these early when there are less people around.
Stonehenge Exhibition
We then explored the Stonehenge exhibition located next to the visitors center. We spent about 30 minutes exploring this exhibition learning all there is to know about Stonehenge – the stones, the landscape, the meaning and the people. There are lots of ancient artifacts to view (including pottery, tools and human remains), as well as audio-visual experiences too.
Before you leave
Finally but not least we checked out the gift shop and cafe. We spent approximately 20 minutes browsing but did not buy anything.
The gift shop had a large range of souvenirs. Clothing items ranged from socks to hats, caps, scarfs and t-shirts. There were food and alcohol gifts including: alcohol and chocolates. There are also umbrellas, snow globes, jigsaws and books. Items typically ranged from £7 – £25.
The cafe contained both hot and cold foods including sandwiches, salads, soups, pasties, sausage rolls, hotpots, crisps, cakes, and other sweet and savory items. There are vegan, gluten free and dairy free options available.
After Stonehenge
We left Stonehenge around 11:30 and drove for 10 minutes to Stonehenge Inn. Here we had a lovely Sunday lunch consisting of half roast chicken (you can choose beef or pork instead), yorkshire pudding, potatoes, vegetables and gravy for £12.99. It was a great stop before heading back on the road.
How do I get to Stonehenge?
By Car: If traveling by car, the journey from London takes approximately 2 hours. Use the postcode SP4 7DE, and follow the route to the A303. Then follow the brown and white signs to the visitor center. There are plenty of car parking spaces, and parking is fully refundable with the purchase of a ticket to Stonehenge or free with pre-booked tickets.
By Train: The closest train station to Stonehenge is Salisbury. If you are starting in London, one option is to take a direct train from London Waterloo to Salisbury taking approximately 90 minutes.From here you can catch a bus (the stonehenge tour bus) from the station or take a taxi which takes approximately 15-25 minutes.
Bus Tours: Another option is joining a guided coach tour from London that includes transportation to and from Stonehenge. The majority of these depart from London Victoria and are typically 6 hour round trips, unless you decide to opt for a combined trip and, for example, visit Bath or Windsor as well – this would be a full day trip. There are some coach tours that also depart from Salisbury.
How much does it cost and what are the different ticket options?
General Admission: You can save 10% on admission tickets by pre-booking online prior to your visit. Pre-booking prices: adults weekday – £20.90, weekend – £23.60. There are also child, concession and family tickets available.
English Heritage member: You can sign up for a membership – typically £69 per year for an individual (£5.75 per month) to gain unlimited free access to over 400 historic places. There are also joint memberships and family memberships available.
Do I need a reservation?
It is strongly recommended to prebook tickets to guarantee entry on your selected day and time. These can be booked up to three hours in advance of your visit. If you do not book in advance there are a limited number of ‘on the day’ tickets for sale which can be purchased from the ticket offices.
What should I bring?
If you’re planning a visit to Stonehenge, make sure you bring some essentials. Comfortable clothing and footwear are a must, as you will likely be doing some walking. The UK weather can be unpredictable, so bring layers and maybe even a waterproof jacket just in case. If you are planning on visiting during the summer months – pack some sunscreen as Stonehenge is vastly outdoors.
Don’t forget your camera or phone as you will want to take lots of pictures and look back on the memories.
Have a copy of your booking confirmation to present at the ticket office.
You may want to consider bringing some snacks and water in case you get peckish, however this is not essential as there is a cafe on site.
Finally bring your curiosity and appreciation for history to enjoy this extraordinary place.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Yes you can. There are plenty of picnic spots if you want to stop for lunch and spend longer at Stonehenge.
Is my time at the Stone Circle limited?
You can spend as long as you like at the Stone Circle. There are no time restrictions. If you are visiting towards the end of the day you will be asked to allow enough time to walk back to the visitor center before the closing time.
Do I need to bring my booking confirmation?
You need to show your booking confirmation either as a printout or on your mobile device at the ticket office. If you do not bring evidence of this confirmation you will not be able to enter.
Is my visit achievable?
Seeing everything Stonehenge has to offer is easily achievable in 2 hours. Be mindful of the time of day and day of the week you choose to go. Typically weekdays and opting for an early admission are the best times to visit. These tend to be quieter and therefore makes it easier to look round a little bit quicker. If you are going with children or wish to walk to the Stone Circle, or have a picnic then you may wish to leave more time to fit everything in.
Stonehenge is a fascinating and ionic archaeological site with history dating back thousands of years. The mystery surrounding its purpose and construction continues to captivate visitors from around the world. If you have the opportunity, it is definitely worth a visit!
