Stonehenge Guided Tours

Stonehenge was primarily a functional scientific instrument, used for measuring angles.  The angles of interest were the rising and setting bearings of the sun, moon, and stars.  It was therefore possible, over a period of time, to map the entire visible sky. Please find below accurate times for the sunset, sunrise and the moon phases.

July 2015
Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England

Solstice celebrations were quieter than expected this year with nowhere near the predicted 40,000 visitors descending on the Stones.

More than 23,000 see sunrise at Stonehenge during “peaceful and positive” summer solstice

Police said the night passed in “a positive and peaceful manner” as around 23,000 people turned up to see the sunrise.

Superintendent Gavin Williams, who led the policing operation, said: “Solstice 2015 has been a great success with approximately 23,000 people celebrating at Stonehenge in the positive, friendly atmosphere as they waited for the sunrise.

“This year the crowds were able to see the sun as it appeared over the horizon, before it disappeared under low cloud.

“There have been a lower number of arrests compared with previous years at Stonehenge, nine people were taken into custody mainly in relation to drugs offences.

“We issued 31 cannabis street warnings, issued five cautions for possession of a class A…

English Heritage is pleased to be providing Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice on 20th – 21st June 2015.  Please help them to create a peaceful occasion by taking personal responsibility and following the Conditions of Entry and guidelines set out on these pages. CELEBRATING THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AT STONEHENGE  Stonehenge is an ancient prehistoric site and has been a place of worship and celebration at the time of Summer Solstice since time immemorial.

Stonehenge Summer Solstice Sunrise

During Managed Open Access for Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, we support all individuals and groups conducting their own forms of ceremony and celebration providing that they are mutually respectful and tolerant of one another. Stonehenge is a place seen by many as a sacred site – please respect it and those attending. English Heritage continues to work closely with the many agencies and people from all sectors of the…

New ‘Stonehengiana’ exhibition created by archeologist Julian Richards displays souvenirs and other ephemera charting history of site as tourist attraction since the 19th century. It has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries and a tourist attraction probably since Roman times.  Wish You Were Here! takes a look back at how the ‘henge was viewed by previous generations and it provides a glimpse at the iconic role it has played in popular culture.

A new Stonehenge exhibition, Wish You Were Here, reveals the site’s history as a tourist attraction since Victorian times. Photograph: English Heritage/PA

From 1st May 2015 explore the ‘Wish You Were Here’ special exhibition in the Stonehenge visitor centre.  Celebrating both the changing ways in which Stonehenge has been experienced by its many visitors, and its status as a world-wide icon, through historical souvenirs, guidebooks, postcards and photographs.

The exhibition features items from the personal collection of Julian…

The tallest stone at Stonehenge points towards the sunrise on the midwinter solstice, according to a new theory from an English Heritage steward.

Historians have long known the circle of stones is aligned with the midsummer sunrise but Tim Daw says the tallest one is lined up with the midwinter sun.

It was previously thought the stone had been put back at the wrong angle when it was re-erected in 1901.

But Mr Daw, who works there, says his research shows its angle is deliberate.

‘Botched job’

Mr Daw said: “The largest stone at Stonehenge is not where it ‘should’ be, it is twisted.

“This stone, Stone 56, is the tallest one at the end of the inner horseshoe of sarsen stones.

“Because it was put back to the…

As the eclipse plunges Wiltshire and other places into darkness this Friday (March 20th), two other rare if less spectacular celestial events will be taking place, too: the Spring equinox and a Supermoon. Friday will see three rare celestial events and this will be the first time in living memory that the Spring equinox, a solar eclipse, and a supermoon are all taking place on the same day in the UK.

One of the most intriguing mysteries in the world is the Stonehenge. Nobody knows who built the mysterious Stone Circle in Wiltshire, or what its purpose was exactly. There are many theories associated with Stonehenge and archaeologists have been debating for ages to determine why it was built. Most experts believe that Stonehenge is actually an ancient astronomical calculator.

Eclipses have long been feared as bad omens, but the equinox is celebrated as a time of renewal

Eclipse…

English Heritage will welcome people to Stonehenge to celebrate the Spring (Vernal) Equinox on Saturday 21st March.
Expect a short period of access, from  first light (approximately 05:45am) until 08:30am.

• Access to Stonehenge will cease at 0830h and the cooperation of all of visitors in ensuring the monument is vacated at this time would be most appreciated. Please note that, in previous years, access for the Equinox ceased earlier at 0800h, however English Heritage has permitted an additional half an hour within the monument for our visitors.

• Temporary toilets (Porta-Loos) will be available at the monument once the site is open for public access. This includes a provision for those with disabilities.

•The Cafe and Shop at the new Visitor Centre at Airmans Cross should be opening for visitors from approximately 0800h on the morning of Saturday 21st March. Please note that the toilets at this location will…

Stonehenge: Up Close

Gain a rare and fascinating insight into the famous World Heritage Site with an exclusive tour around the site led by one of English Heritage’s experts. The event starts with exclusive early morning access to the stone circle at Stonehenge accompanied by our expert.

Following a light breakfast, we will then go on to explore key archaeological sites including Durrington Walls, Woodhenge and The Cursus to learn more about the archaeological landscape and investigate work that has taken place in recent years.

There is plenty of walking, sometimes over uneven ground on this tour, so we have graded it as moderate access.

15th January 2015 SOLD OUT
9th February 2015 SOLD OUT
9th March 2015

Heaven and Earth Tours
Special evening bookable tour learning about the stars and planetary movements and how early man may have utilised them.

24th January 2015
21st February 2015

How…