When my oldest daughter Payton graduated this year from university with her undergraduate degree, I knew we had to plan an epic adventure together to mark the occasion. Since we loved Scotland so much last fall during Reading Week, we decided London would be logical and it just made sense. We still had our UK electronic travel visas, because they are valid for two years from the time you receive approval. Beyond that, we were both dying to see a few unique landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Stonehenge. So we were off to the UK again!
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Our Unforgettable Journey to Stonehenge
It was late May when my daughter and I embarked on our London, UK, journey and we landed during a massive heatwave. So we ended up building in lots of breaks for shade and hydration and we wore super light clothing everywhere but other than that we were up for seeing as much as possible during the week-long visit.
From London, we headed to the stunning city of Bath England by bus. We were feeling very Bridgerton meets Jane Austen by the time we boarded again on the road to Stonehenge.
Of course, Stonehenge topped my list of locations and sites to see while we were in England. Sometimes when I travel as readers know I like to go with the flow, but I also set myself up with a rough itinerary of non negotiable spots. My daughter is the same and while we can both side quest hard, we typically agree we have to see as many museums and historical landmarks as humanly possible. Food is another story entirely but you can check my TikTok for more details on how we ate while in England.
The Benefit of a Group Tour
From my last few years visiting some incredible cities around Europe we have learned to check that our top priority locations and tours have space before we leave home. Read the blogs, check the online reviews. Nobody likes being disappointed when you travel so far from home. So, we had a rough idea of what we needed to see, what our budget was for tours, and what days each of the tours had availability. Sometimes I wait until we are actually in the country before booking. I want to have a bit of a context for where the pickups will be physically and where the offices are located in the event that we have an issue. Hope for the best and plan for the worst and you will always be prepared.
Disclosure:
Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchase the same tour here: https://gyg.me/gs3jjfVW
The idea of renting a car and driving on our own did not appeal to me on this vacation. So, after we got checked into our accommodations on Day One, we booked our tour. This specific group trip, featuring three UNESCO heritage sites, had us on a full-day guided bus tour with about 50 – 60 other people and it was more than worth it. First were the Bridgerton hotspots, followed by Stonehenge and then Windsor Castle. Three UNESCO sites in a day! Sign me up!
Arriving in the area by car or tour bus, you are then ushered to another bus which gets as close as it can to the site. While you can walk from the visitor area and the parking lot, a good deal of the trek is uphill and it can be either super windy or extremely hot as it was when we visited. So sit back and enjoy the five minute uphill bus ride. Trust me on this.
Educational Information
There are numerous placards and informational signs erected around the site once you arrive and you can download an app that will act as a guide as well. Both will help you can brush up on the facts. There are also cute Instagram locations with suggested photo opps. The stones themselves are obviously roped off to prevent anyone from touching and harming the structure. Over time enough harm has been done to the spot by those who had no clue of its value.
Stonehenge History
Wild theories run rampant on who, what and how this impressive landmark came to be. But the reality of this Neolithic marvel is that it is most likely a calendar. Sometimes the most logical explanation is also the answer.
Unlocking the Mystery
Dating back to approximately 3100 BC, Stonehenge is much more than just a well visited circle of rocks. Stonehenge is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. So what do we know? The word henge technically refers to a bank and a ditch, which are still present at the site, along with evidence of ancient hunting pits surrounding the area. The area was used by hunters. Their prey would fall into the surrounding pits making the kill easier for hunters at the time.
An Engineering Marvel
The massive outer Sarsen stones are gargantuan, with the largest weighing an incredible 31 tons. Looking at these monoliths, you realize the impossible labour involved in their construction. Researchers estimate that it would have taken 200 to 400 young men to lift just a single stone, with the entire process of transporting and erecting them likely spanning years.
The contrast between the stones is fascinating. While the massive Sarsen stones create the outer structure, the bluestones form the inner circle. Seeing them up close, kind of leaves you with more questions than you had when you arrived. Like how is this actually a possibility? How on earth could anyone or anything have lifted the stones into place? Were aliens actually involved? Alright I know that theory has been discounted but still it is a curiosity especially since there’s no clear answer how this marvel could have been built.
More Than Stones
Stonehenge most definitely is testament to the ingenuity of a people who, despite lacking modern machinery, possessed a sophisticated understanding of engineering. By the way back near the visitor centre there is also a miniature neolithic village model. Walk through it to gain perspective on how people lived back then.
Random Area Trivia:
Did you know, the word Avon, the river that winds nearby, actually means river in the Celtic language? Just another nod to the landscape that has sustained this site for millennia.
Beyond the mystery of the construction and the fun photo opportunities, Stonehenge functions as a complex calendar, aligning perfectly with the sun during solstices. Whether it was used for ritual ceremonies, burial rites, or tracking the seasons, the site carries a heavy, sacred atmosphere that has survived for over 5,000 years.
On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises over the Heel Stone at Stonehenge. The sun always sets over the Heel Stone on the shortest day of the year. Researchers believe Stonehenge was an astronomical calendar linked to the study of the stars.
Other Theories
Some other theories suggest that the site could have been a place of healing where sick people flocked in hope of being cured by the miraculous powers of the monument. Others think the site may have been a Stone Age ‘computer’ that credited solar or lunar eclipses, or a temple to the sun or moon gods.
Payton and I were both excited and energized to finally see it in person. The day we visited tourist traffic was steady but not at all overwhelming. Despite the millions of photos you might have seen online, nothing is better than standing there and seeing it in person. Stonehenge serves as a humbling reminder of human persistence and our ancient desire to connect with the cosmos.
A Few Surprises About Stonehenge
Just past the fields full of sheep grazing, you will probably spy a weird batch of parked RVs. Good news you are almost there.
Why so many trailers? Are they filming something? Stonehenge itself feels like it is in the middle of nowhere so why so many RVs? They look like movie trailers or trailer homes almost. Maybe a nod to storm chasers from the movies. In fact, the tour guide told us later there are some people who simply live here year round. They pull up in their RV and park on a side road and stay.
Other weird facts: at one point a farmer owned this spot, Stonehenge and all having really no clue of its archeological impact.
Why So Many Trailers?
Because Stonehenge has such a mystical connotation to it and the mystery remains around who, how and why it came to be, it is also thought to possess a specific energy. The pursuit of the energy is one reason why people stay here year round. Imagine the greatest crystals or a surreal energy force. Some people believe that perhaps, being near it might lead you to another level of consciousness or that it has healing qualities.
Tips
Of course like all tourist destinations, there is a shop at the end of the trip. Don’t forget to sample the MEAD, if it is being sampled. As far as spending money goes, we are budget travellers. So while there were a lot of cutesy local souvenirs we left without indulging too much. Payton bought me a sticker for my laptop and we got a small packet of postcards. Generally speaking, photos and memories are enough for me.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself in England, prioritize a trip to Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain. It is a bucket-list destination that truly earns its reputation. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Oh and if the bus driver tries to trick you with a Stonehenge is closed for cleaning the stones bit, don’t fall for it. Cue eye roll.
Stonehenge was our second stop of the day on a tour that took us to three UNESCO Heritage sites. Loved this tour and honestly couldn’t recommend it more. Totally worth the money.
