Get up close to the prehistoric wonder of Stonehenge.

All About Stonehenge

Stonehenge has been a significant site for pilgrims and travelers for thousands of years. Even frequented by Romans, this cultural treasure was started by ancient Britons around 3000 BC. Constructed to frame the movement of the sun, Stonehenge is aligned to the winter and summer solstice, with special opportunities and events held around those dates.

Today, Stonehenge is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the gorgeous Wiltshire countryside in southern England, about 90 miles from London (usually less than two hours of driving).  Minor excavation at Stonehenge began as early as the 1600s, and in the 20th century a full excavation began, with dating analysis for a fuller picture of the site.

How to Get to Stonehenge

If you choose to drive, paid parking is available on site. To preserve the unique immediate surroundings of Stonehenge, the Visitor’s Center is about one mile from the monument. A shuttle bus is available to carry visitors to the bottom of the path leading to Stonehenge. If coming from London or elsewhere in southern England, you could also arrange a ticket and tour guide through a Viator coach bus.

When To Visit Stonehenge

Stonehenge is quietest early in the morning when the site opens (usually at 9:30am) or just before the close of the day (closing times vary). You can also choose to do a small tour to go within the Stone Circle.

With the exception of pouring rain, there is hardly a bad time to visit Stonehenge. But there are advantages to visiting in the early English spring, with smaller crowds and the pleasant green of the countryside to welcome you to the picturesque site. If you're not doing a tour, I recommend booking a ticket online in advance. You can also pay when you arrive, but tickets may sell out during peak seasons.

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Learn more about Stonehenge from the hands-on exhibits at the Visitor's Center. 

Visiting Stonehenge with Kids

While it's best for children ages 8 and older, Stonehenge is truly set up to be an awe-inspiring and educational experience for all. Like a real-life mystery, kids can follow the clues to see why they think Stonehenge was built and learn about its history. How were the stones—many weighing over 20 tons—carried to the Salisbury Plain?

At the expansive Visitor’s Center, multimedia displays and archaeological artifacts enhance the experience for everyone diving into the mystery of Stonehenge. I recommend grabbing a welcome pamphlet and map and using the QR code on the front to get a free audio tour. Shortly after entering the Visitor's Center, there's a great 360-degree, three-minute film giving clues about what we know about Stonehenge. Further on inside are exhibits with hands-on activities.

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Explore Neolithic homes that offer crafts and other family activities.

Don’t forget to go outside the Visitor’s Center to see the five reconstructed Neolithic homes. The thatched homes represent real archaeological finds of houses nearby from 2500 BC, when parts of Stonehenge were under construction. Docents are often inside the buildings with crafts and other activities.

Where to Eat at Stonehenge

There is a cafe inside the Visitor's Center, which has family-friendly options for snacks and meals such as sandwiches, salads, cookies, tea, and coffee. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and an area set up for picnicking outside, in view of Stonehenge.

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The Queensberry Hotel is charming, quite, and cozy. Photo courtesy of the Queensberry Hotel in Bath, courtesy of Tripadvisor

Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Stonehenge

1. Bath

Stonehenge is an easy, pleasant one-hour drive (mostly through the rolling countryside) from the famous spa city of Bath. Try the Queensberry Hotel for a quiet and comfortable stay with breakfast included.

2. Salisbury

The medieval city of Salisbury—where a famously picturesque cathedral houses one of the only remaining copies of the Magna Carta—is about 11 miles away from Stonehenge. Comfortable places to stay in Salisbury include the Best Western Salisbury Red Lion Hotel, The Rokeby Guest House, and Spire House.

3. Avebury

The town of Avebury, 24 miles north of Stonehenge, has equally important prehistoric landmarks, including Neolithic tomb chambers you can enter. While not as iconic as Stonehenge, the Avebury Stone Circles are just as old and even larger! Stay at the Avebury Lodge, actually located within the enormous Stone Circle.

All photos by author Lauren Saunders