| Stonehenge | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | UK |
|---|---|
| Region | South West (England) |
| Territory | Wiltshire |
| Institutional website | |
Stonehenge is a Neolithic archaeological site of UK.
To know
The site is made up of a circular ensemble of large standing stones, known as megaliths. Assuming that the current alignment follows the previous one, some argue that Stonehenge represents an "ancient astronomical observatory", with particular significance at the solstice and equinox points, although the importance of its use for this purpose is debated.
Stonehenge is part of the World Heritage Sites drawn up byUNESCO.
Geographical notes
It is located close to Amesbury in Wiltshire, England, about 13 kilometers northwest of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain.
Background
The construction of the monument was undertaken around 3100 BC. and ended around 1600 BC. This allows the elimination of some theories that had been hypothesized. The theory that the Druids may have been the architects of the work is the most popular; however the Celtic society, which instituted the priesthood of the Druids, spread only after the year 300 BC. It is also unlikely that the Druids used the site for sacrifices, as they performed part of their rituals in the woods or mountains, more suitable areas than an open field for "earth rituals". The fact that the Romans first arrived on the British island when Julius Caesar led an expedition in 55 BC negates the theories of Inigo Jones and others that Stonehenge was built as a Roman temple.
There is debate about the age of construction, but most archaeologists believe it was built between 2500 BC. and 2000 BC The construction of the circular embankment and the moat have been dated to 3100 BC.
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How to get
Stonehenge: full screen map.By plane
Airport of Southampton.
By car
From London take the M3 and A303 for Amesbury. Stonehenge e Woodhenge they are well signposted from Amesbury.
On the train
The nearest stations are Andover is Salisbury which can be reached from London Waterloo with a direct service.
By bus
Local bus service is provided by Salisbury Reds. Routes start or end in Salisbury. However, no "regular" bus lines serve Stonehenge's main entrance.
- The Stonehenge Tour is a tourist bus service from Salisbury to Stonehenge (on the return journey, stops at Old Sarum). Tickets cost £ 11 for the tour only or £ 22 for the tour and admission to Stonehenge, Old Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral. The double-decker sightseeing bus stops at Salisbury train station (outside the station and on the left) and in Salisbury city center. The ticket is valid all day. It runs every 30 minutes and every hour, depending on the time of day and year. Tickets can be purchased online or from the driver. While driving, a high-quality audio commentary about your surroundings is played (headphones are provided).
- Several tours depart from London and visit Stonehenge on the way to Salisbury or Bath. These tours usually last 30 minutes at Stonehenge only, which gives you time to see only the stones and not time to appreciate the surrounding area. For tours departing from London, the price starts from around £ 65 per adult, including the entry fee and pick-up service at your London hotel.
Permits / Rates
How to get around
Several bridleways and footpaths run through the area, and the National Trust allows access to a large extent.
What see
Stonehenge
1 The suspended stones. 
£ 15.50 for adults and £ 9.30 for children (Apr 2016), includes an audio guide that takes you to the site via a tunnel under the road. The stones (stones) are visible from the main car park and can be clearly seen from the side of the road. Unlike the other monuments in the area, however, you have to pay to get close. Usually it is not possible to walk among the stones themselves, but the English Ministry of Cultural Heritage and some tour operators from Salisbury I am able to arrange a visit early in the morning or in the evening to do this.
£ 15.50 for adults and £ 9.30 for children (Apr 2016), includes an audio guide that takes you to the site via a tunnel under the road. The stones (stones) are visible from the main car park and can be clearly seen from the side of the road. Unlike the other monuments in the area, however, you have to pay to get close. Usually it is not possible to walk among the stones themselves, but the English Ministry of Cultural Heritage and some tour operators from Other sites
- 2 Stonehenge Cursus. A huge and mysterious monument, the cursus is a 3km long embankment just north of Stonehenge. Consisting of a ditch and a bank running from east to west, it is still visible on the landscape, although its destination remains unknown.
- 3 The Avenue. A ceremonial approach to Stonehenge, the Avenue connects the monument to the River Avon. The moat and embankment are still visible from the stones and its path can be followed as far as King Barrows Ridge.
- 4 Winterbourne Stoke Barrows. It is a collection of every type of burial mound found in the UK. A long Neolithic mound creates an alignment upon which later Bronze Age mounds were built, including separate bowl, bell, pond, saucer, and disc mounds.
- 5 Normanton Down. Less than half a mile south of Stonehenge, this is a graveyard of over 50 mounds.
- 6 King Barrows Ridge. Named for its stunning views of Stonehenge, King Barrows Ridge sits on the Avenue and offers one of the most breathtaking views of Stonehenge.
- Woodhenge. A contemporary monument to Stonehenge, Woodhenge was a series of beams erected in oval rings, and like Stonehenge it is aligned with the rising sun on the summer solstice.
- 7 Durrington Walls. It is the site of a large Neolithic village and probably home to many religious activities. The walls are the remains of the UK's largest henge monument.
What to do
- Take the opportunity to explore the countryside and monuments surrounding Stonehenge instead of looking at the stones and walking away.
- Visit Stonehenge during the summer solstice (June 21), the winter solstice (21, 22 or 23 December), or theequinox in spring and autumn, to get free admission to the stones (and sometimes walk among them) and to venerate nature with the neo-pagans and druids who gather here on these dates.
- Take the opportunity to learn more about Stonehenge in the two nearby museums that have nationally important collections: the Wiltshire Museum and the Salisbury Museum.
Shopping
Souvenirs are available to paying visitors at the English Heritage shop in Stonehenge, although a wider range of goods can be obtained from Salisbury.
Where to eat
There is a well-stocked coffee shop at the English Heritage Center, but those wanting a more satisfying meal would do well to visit the nearby towns of Amesbury or Durrington, which have several pubs, cafes and restaurants.
- Kingfish Fish & Chips Restaurant & Takeaway, Bulford Road - Durrington (adjacent to the Tesco express, enter via the Tesco car park). Traditional fish & chips favorite to take out.
- Amesbury Chippy, Flower Lane - Amesbury (in the city center near Bath Travel). Traditional fish and chips served on the spot.
Where stay
Hotels
Visits to Stonehenge can easily be combined with a visit to Salisbury where many hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels are available.
- George Hotel, Amesbury. £50.00.
- 1 Stonehenge Inn, 2 Stonehenge Road, Amesbury, SP4 8BN. £ 67.50 (Jul 2020).
- Holiday Inn business hotel (4 stars). £150.00.
Campsites
Camping is prohibited on the open ground around Stonehenge, but campsites are available outside Old Sarum in Salisbury (8 miles), Upavon north (10 miles) or Stonehenge Touring Park near Shrewton (4 miles).
Safety
Although Stonehenge's landscape is relatively small and civilization is never too far away, care should still be taken when visiting the area. Comfortable shoes are recommended as some of the terrain is uneven. The animals often graze on the National Trust's open grasslands, including cattle. There are some busy streets between the monuments and special care should be taken if crossing the A303.
How to keep in touch
Telephony
Cell phone reception is generally good and the area is generally easily accessible by emergency services.
Around
A trip around the landscape of Stonehenge and to Stonehenge itself is best combined with a trip to Avebury to the north (which has an even larger stone circle, with fewer restrictions and far fewer tourists), or Salisbury South. It would be a boost to visit all three and be able to fully appreciate them all in one day. Two days would be a better time frame to consider.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Stonehenge
Commons contains images or other files on Stonehenge
