Like the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House, Stonehenge is one of those attractions that is immediately recognizable.
Mostly because there are so many photos of it floating around out there, and it's on a lot of people's “must-visit” lists.
But why? Is Stonehenge actually worth the visit?
The mystery
Stonehenge is nothing more than a ring of large stones, many of which have toppled over and broken over the years. The real draw of the site is not the stones, but the mystery behind them – the fact that no one knows exactly how or why the ring was built in the first place.
The site dates back to at least 2000 BC (though scientists can't really agree on that date, either), but the rest of its history is anybody's guess. Theories about how and why Stonehenge was built range from it being a religious site erected by the Druids to a work of Merlin of Arthurian legend. If it wasn't for this mystery, chances are this little ring of stones wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
The size
When you see it in photos, Stonehenge looks pretty big; pretty impressive. But, in real life? Well let's just say that you're likely to hear “I thought it'd be bigger” (that'swhatshesaid) while you're walking around the site. The stones are quite tall, but by no means mammoth.
The commercialization
Over the years, as Stonehenge has grown in popularity as a novelty site in England, it has also become highly commercialized. AKA very touristy.
Today, you cannot get up close to the ring of stones for preservation's sake (and also for safety reasons, since they've decided to just let nature take its course and no longer reinforce the stones that are falling over).
You park at the visitor's center (with requisite cafe and gift shop) about a mile away, are bussed to the stones, and then are kept from getting to close by low ropes.
The visitor's center IS much better these days than it used to be (there's a cool 360-degree video presentation inside that lets you feel like you're standing in the middle of the circle), but it's bound to be crowded with busloads of people day tripping to Stonehenge from London.
If it's peace and tranquility you want while pondering the significance of a ring of standing stones, then Stonehenge probably isn't the site you want to visit (go to Avebury instead).
The verdict
So, considering the above, is Stonehenge worth a visit?
Well, believe it or not, I still think it is.
The site does have a curious history, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's very easy to get to from London.
Plus it's just kind of cool to say you saw it in person.
However, I wouldn't recommend making a visit to Stonehenge the only motivation for a day trip from London. Pair it with Bath or Salisbury or another place of interest to make it worth your time. You'll be sorely disappointed if you drive all that way only to realize that you really only need about 30 minutes to fully experience this mysterious ring of stones.
Do YOU think Stonehenge is worth a visit?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
I’m glad we visited Stonehenge though it pays to have patience for the couple of places where people vie for the same vantage point. Getting onto a sunrise or sunset tour would have been great but we didn’t have the flexibility. As a NZer, a good day trip would be Stonehenge and Bulford for the chalk kiwi on the hill above the military camp. I see Avebury has been mentioned; that was great (and you only pay a car park fee) though SH is best for photos of stone groupings.
I totally agree about the patience – you definitely need it sometimes at sites like this!
If you time your visit for September you can take in the ‘End of the Road’ music festival which is held nearby. Make a long weekend of it. Stonehenge not worth making a special journey.
Ooo that sounds like fun!
There have been a lot of recent advances in the study of Stonehenge that, while certainly not completely removing “the mystery,” have narrowed down the realm of possibility. Probably not aliens, they now believe. 🙂
I know anyone can Google wikipedia, but since I’m lazy and don’t want to do deeper research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge
Archaeologists are making some of the same advances on Easter Island, and I’d argue that even though there isn’t as much mystery surrounding these places, they are actually far more interesting because the science gives you an appreciation for the people who left these incredible relics. For me, the more I know about a place like Stonehenge, the more connection I feel to that place.
Yes, probably not aliens. 😉
I agree, though! The more we learn, the more interesting these places become.
Sure, it is. Stonehenge is a must see place. The mystery of it will always fascinate people. And, since it is not getting stronger, it is better to visit it soon.
Thanks for the story, Amanda. Always enjoy your articles and waiting for new ones 😉
I think you’re definitely right that the mystery will always interest people!
I visited Stonehenge on a daytrip to Bath and Stonehenge, and I think it was the best thing to do. The rocks just don’t deserve more than an hour or two (especially with the annoying noise coming from the motorway nearby). There are SO many tour companies that offer this daytrip for a cheap price, it’s a perfect daytrip out of London.
Even though the rocks are much smaller in real life and the audioguide is nothing short of a verbal diarrhea of information, it’s still worth it. Nice photos!
I spent maybe half an hour there, and that was honestly long enough for me (though I didn’t do the audio tour). Still think it’s worth a visit, though, especially combined with Bath!
Yes! Worth it! You can also check out the Stonehenge replica in Maryhill, WA. It’s actually a pretty cool and a great family travel destination. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryhill,_Washington
So many great family getaways in the Pacific Northwest!
There are replicas (and some creative ones, at that) all over! Always fun to discover.
Wow, I never realized how small the stones were until just now when I saw your picture with people in it. This really helps reaffirm my choice in going to the Isle of Wight as my day trip instead. The island wasn’t very exciting but it’s where my boyfriend’s ancestors are from so it made a fun visit for the two for us :]
Yeah, the stones aren’t nearly as big as you’d expect!
A friend told me that he’d been there several years ago and you could walk right up to the stones, but that now it was awful and not worth going to. But I do think he was exaggerating–after hearing his rant I imagined it behind a fence, 100 yards back, you need binoculars… it doesn’t look THAT bad! 🙂
No, it’s certainly not THAT bad! They just have a low rope around the whole thing now to dissuade people from going up to it. I understand it – with the amount of people visiting every day now, they’re just trying to preserve the site. Such is tourism development!
When we visited the U.K. we actually skipped Stonehenge. We had been told that it wasn’t really worth the visit, not to mention the cost.
Instead we happened upon the little town of Avebury. All throughout the town there are rocks that form a circle. The circle is huge though, so it just looks like there are a bunch of rocks. We really enjoyed our experience there. I don’t remember there being any admission fee, although there might be now. And you are able to walk right up to the rocks and touch them. There were also virtually no tourist. Not quite the same as Stonehenge but really neat.
Website about Avebury:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury/
Briana C.
Yeah, I’ve heard Avebury is good, too! It’s actually included in the UNESCO site along with Stonehenge – a similar mysterious ring of rocks!
I think it’s very much worth visiting, especially if you arrange to go inside the circle (which you can with English Heritage). We saw the sun rise between the stones one very early, misty morning and had the place nearly to ourselves. Even my then 6-year-old (who wasn’t too happy to get up for a 5am visit in the first place) was in awe.
Now THAT sounds very cool!
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree – Stonehenge just plain isn’t worth visiting.
All of it’s allure and majesty does come from its mysterious origins. At the end of the day, I don’t think you really get anything out of visiting Stonehenge that you wouldn’t get from reading about Stonehenge. At the end of the day, it’s a pile of rocks with an interesting backstory – and you can save yourself £8 by looking at it from the window of your vehicle as you drive to some place actually interesting. (Ooh, that may have been a bit harsh…)
Haha nah, not too harsh – you are of course entitled to your opinion, and I’m sure it’s one that plenty of other people share!
Thanks for the honest review! I think I’d still like to see it to be able to say that I did. And now I have that scene from European Vacation when Chevy Chase knocks over all the stones stuck in my mind…
Yeah I figured I couldn’t very well go to England and NOT see it.
That’s what I’m thinking as well.
If I’d be ‘int he neighborhood’, I’d probably want to go and see it. Nice to know that it can be combined with Bath.
I have always regretted not going there on my first trip to England. This was when you could still walk right up to it. I still would like to see it in person.
It’s worth a trip to see, but, like I said, just don’t get your hopes up too high!
I think it is absolutely worth the visit, though I agree that it is best combined with another destination. We were there on a lovely day, so after the requisite pictures and audio info, we enjoyed picnicking/ lounging on the lawn to take in the site.
Ooo a picnic there would be lovely!
I agree completely. Worth visiting once, but also pair it with Bath. A day-trip from London just to see Stonehenge is not worth it.
Yup, that’s what I recommend, too!