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This blog page contains our occasional thoughts, musings and news about all things to do with European group travel. We send out much more information in emails to our partners than we post here. If you want to get on our list, simply click on the blue side box on this page to receive our updates.
Stonehenge enters the 21st Century
 
Magnificent and mysterious, the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge has looked out across the great expanse of Salisbury Plain for 5,000 years, defying explanation. Early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur. We also know from the stones' alignment that worship of the sun and moon took place here.
 
Since 1562, when the first tourist to visit Stonehenge was recorded, visitors have flocked to admire Europe's most famous prehistoric site, with hundreds attending ceremonies marking the midsummer sunrise. In 1968, a "temporary" visitor centre, with snack bar, lavatories and shop in pre-fab huts, was built to accommodate the needs of the thousands of tourists passing through the site each year. 45 years, £27 million and a few controversies later, English Heritage unveiled a new "fit for purpose" visitor centre on 18 December 2013. Early January, I was part of a group invited by English Heritage, which manages the site, to discover the new facilities and find out if they were worth it.
 

stonehenge

 

visitor centre

Stonehenge   New Visitor Centre

After a two-hour drive from central London, our group disembarked at a separate coach park which also features a dedicated group kiosk. Tickets and audioguides were distributed there. The visitor centre, made of grey glass, steel and timber, is only a few minutes' walk away. On arrival, visitors have the choice to depart straight away for the stones or to explore the exhibition centre.

coach car park and group desk

 

exhibition1

Coach park and group ticket kiosk   Exhibition

Until last December, visitors had to rely on the comments from the audioguide or their guide to get some information about the monument. The exhibition centre now provides an insight on the history of Stonehenge, the lives of the people who built it, the techniques they used and presents a few of the theories around the mystery of the stones.

Entering the building, visitors find themselves in a dark room surrounded by videoscreens showing timelapse footage of Stonehenge through the ages and the seasons. After watching the sun setting from the centre of this virtual stone circle, it is time to discover the permanent exhibition. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the skeleton of a man who was buried there about 5,500 years ago, proving that the Salisbury Plain was already a special place long before the first stones were erected. Visitors also have the possibility to admire tools and everyday life objects used by the people who lived in the area at the time Stonehenge was built. A recreation of a Neolithic village (which should be finished by the end of January 2014) will soon complete the visit.

The visitor centre is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the stone circle itself. Visitors can take advantage of regular free shuttles or walk to the stones. Since the opening of the new facilities, there have been some comments from people complaining about the queues to get on the shuttle bus. The new booking system which will be introduced in February should help minimize congestion as visitors will have to reserve tickets in advance and will be allocated a time slot to enter the site. But, on the day of my visit, I did not have to wait more than a couple of minutes before being able to board an almost empty bus which took me to the stone circle in less than ten minutes.

In the midst of all these recent changes, Stonehenge remains the majestic and magnificent monument that has captivated millions of visitors for years. Unlike the 1968 visitor centre, the new building and car parks are invisible from the stone circle, leaving the view unspoilt. Visitors follow a path that goes around the stones while listening to comments on an audioguide. Returning to the exhibition centre can be done again by foot or by shuttle bus.

shop and queue for shuttle

 

cafe2

Shuttle bus queue, and shop   Cafe

No 21st Century visitor centre is complete without a shop and a cafe. This one is no exception and there is an opportunity to buy various souvenirs ranging from magnets to books, board games and jewellery. The cafe offers a selection of sandwiches, salads and sweets to go. However, there was already a small queue on this quiet January day and it will be very busy in high season, so we would advise groups to plan a lunch stop in nearby Salisbury instead.

An hour used to be more than enough to explore the site but I found myself running back to the coach at the end of our two and half hour visit and I did not particularly take my time (except maybe in the shop when I was wondering whether I could wear a "Stonehenge Rocks!" hoodie http://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/EnglishHeritage/_Stonehenge_Rocks_Hoody/288641/Stonehenge%20Rocks!%20Hoody and still be in compliance with the Live Travel and Tours dress code...).

Was it worth it? Yes. The new visitor centre definitely brings something extra to what is still one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.

To sum up:

What has changed :

  • Enhanced visitor experience with new exhibits and modern facilities
  • Advanced reservation with a specific time slot compulsory
  • A longer visit : minimum 2.5 hours needed
  • Price increased from £ 9.00 to £14.90 for an adult ticket

What has not :

  • The Stones : 5,000 years old, still going!
  • Stonehenge remains a key attraction for groups travelling to the UK

Other resources:

www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25412430

By Caroline Grellier. All images copyright of Caroline Grellier.

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