Stonehenge is a monumental complex located in the county of Wiltshire, in England. It has always aroused the interest of scientists from various fields and even today it is the subject of studies that reveal its mysteries. Thanks to radiocarbon dating, it is known that It was built between the end of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, but everything that concerns its purpose remains a mystery. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in England.
The most widely accepted theory is that It is a complex where rituals were performed, a kind of great temple. Recently, a study carried out by scientists at the University of Oxford revealed that part of the human remains found at the site correspond to people who came from Wales and who probably brought the bluestones for construction. This only increases suspicions about the ritual importance of the place for the populations of the time. And of course, the interest of the tourists who come to visit it every year.
Practical information for visiting Stonehenge
The complex of Stonehenge is open all year. It opens at 9:00 a.m. and the closing time varies depending on the season: 8:00 p.m. in summer, 5:00 p.m. in winter, and 7:00 p.m. the rest of the year. The last entry is two hours before, and it is advisable to reserve. There are special openings at the winter and summer solstices.
The cost of tickets is GBP 16.5 for adults; GBP 14.9 for students and over 60s and GBP 9.9 for children up to 15 years of age.
A couple of hours may be enough to visit the main attractions, but a full visit would require more time to be able to visit the other nearby megalithic monuments in Avebury and Salisbury.
Stonehenge tour
An ideal tour should start at the Visitor Center. There are the lockers, the souvenir shop and the cafeteria. However, what is really important about the site is its exhibition hall where you can enjoy a very striking presentation about the time of the monument’s construction. In addition, on the outside, reconditioned to recover the original landscape that surrounded the complex, there are replicas of the Neolithic huts that try to present what life was like in the place.
From here it is possible to take a minibus to get to the historic site and to be able to admire it up close. Unfortunately, for years the interior can only be accessed on special visits, and now there is a path enabled to go around it and admire it from the outside. This is not enough to end the charm of the site, certainly, and the audio guide will explain everything that is known about its history at different points. Mention is made of its ritual character, the graves, the sunsets and what is speculated about its construction. Without a doubt, it is a pleasant experience, unique in the life of any tourist.