March 9, 2013

Stonehenge builders travelled from far, say researchers

Posted by StonehengeNews under Ancient Britons, Archaeological tour, Stonehenge bones may be evidence of winter solstice feasts
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Thousands of people came from across Britain to help build Stonehenge, experts investigating the origins of the monument have said.

They said people travelled from as far afield as the Scottish Highlands.

The latest findings about Stonehenge come after a decade of research

The latest findings about Stonehenge come after a decade of research

Researchers from University College London said their findings overturned what was thought about the origins of the monument.

Until now it had been thought that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory.

The latest findings, which came after a decade of research, suggested it was the act of building the monument rather than its purpose that was key.

The researchers believed as many as 4,000 people gathered at the site, at a time when Britain’s population was only tens of thousands.

‘Not all fun’

Analysis of animal teeth found at a nearby settlement suggested people travelled the length of the country to help with the building.

Professor Mike Parker Pearson, from University College London, said the scene would have resembled a cross between the Glastonbury Festival and a motorway building scheme.

He said a settlement at nearby Durrington Walls had about 1,000 homes, the “largest Neolithic settlement in the whole of northern Europe”.

Prof Parker Pearson said: “What we have discovered is it’s in building the thing that’s important. It’s not that they’re coming to worship, they’re coming to construct it.”

He added: “It’s something that’s Glastonbury Festival and a motorway building scheme at the same time. It’s not all fun, there’s work too.”

The academics suggested that Stonehenge was built about 200 years earlier than previously thought, some 4,500 years ago.

Their findings will be revealed in a Channel 4 documentary, Secrets of the Stonehenge Skeletons.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21724084

Stonehenge Tour Guide

 

March 1, 2013

New Stonehenge visitor centre “progressing well”

Posted by StonehengeNews under english heritage, Salisbury Tours
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Work on the new visitor centre at Stonehenge is ‘progressing well’, according to English Heritage.

The new facility, set back from the famous stones, will feature two pods housing exhibitions, a dedicated education space, a bigger shop and cafe. When open it will be able to cater for 500 visitors.

visitor-centre-2The centre is part of a £27 million pound project almost entirely funded by English Heritage, and will be open to the public by the end of the year.

Plans for a new visitors area were first mooted over 20 years ago, when the current facilities – built in 1968 as a temporary measure – were branded a national disgrace. The current project has also faced difficulty – with the coalition withdrawing funding in 2010.

The new facility was designed by architectural firm Denton Corker Marshall and is being built by Vinci Construction.
Loraine Knowles is Stonehenge Director for English Heritage, she told Spire FM:

“I’m absolutely thrilled, because when you’ve worked four years on a project, to actually see it start, and to see the construction underway is thrilling, and it’s a tribute to all the hardwork people have put in.”

David Andrews, Chief Executive for Visit Wiltshire, told Spire FM how it might boost tourism in Wiltshire:

“What happens now of course is that lots of people come to Stonehenge for 20 minutes, and they jump off the coach, they take their photo, they zip down to Bath and they’ve gone. They’re not spending any money in Wiltshire.”

“This means people will have to stay here longer, they’ll be thinking maybe I have to stay here overnight. So I think this is going to have a big impact in terms of people staying overnight in Wiltshire, coming back to Wiltshire, and of course, spending money in Wiltshire.”

Link source: http://www.spirefm.co.uk

Stonehenge News

 

February 19, 2013

Stonehenge transformation ‘progressing well’ says English Heritage

Posted by StonehengeNews under english heritage, Stonehenge new visitor centre, stonehenge news, Stonehnege 2013, Visit Wiltshire
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Work on a multimillion-pound visitor centre at Stonehenge is progressing well, English Heritage has said.

The £27m scheme, which includes grassing over the road alongside the ancient monument, is due to be complete by the end of the year.

Car and coach parks have been laid out and the visitor centre’s roof is ready to be installed, the charity said.

Stonehenge director Loraine Knowles said the building was “just one aspect in transforming” the site.

Work on the new galleries and facilities, being built about a mile-and-a-half (2.4 km) west of the stones, began in July.

Two “single-storey pods” covered by a canopy roof are being built to house an exhibition and education space, cafe, shop and toilets.

A section of the A344, which runs next to the World Heritage Site, is due to be closed at the end of June and grassed over.

The remainder of the A-road will be closed to traffic in late 2013, to allow a shuttle to operate between the visitor centre and the stones.

‘Uplifting experience’

“The way in which people visit Stonehenge in the future will change,” said Ms Knowles.

The new visitor building for Stonehenge​ The visitor centre is expected to open in late 2013

“The construction of the visitor building is just one aspect in transforming what is widely agreed to be an unsatisfactory tourist and cultural experience.

“We will be uplifting the whole experience to a level that befits this extraordinary and important monument, not just upgrading the visitor facilities, important though those are.”

Stonehenge, constructed between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, is thought to have been used for a variety of religious ceremonies.

It attracts around 900,000 visitors a year – about 70% come from abroad.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-21499114

Stonehenge News

 

February 1, 2013

Salisbury to Stonehenge. Cycle and Walking Route,

Posted by StonehengeNews under Salisbury Tours, Stonehenge Cycle Challange, Stonehenge Direct, stonehenge guide, Stonehenge walking tour, World Heritage
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Starting in Salisbury head north to Salisbury Plain along NCN route 45 and enjoy the unusual atmosphere at famous Stonehenge.

salisbury-toursYou start at the beautiful Salisbury Cathedral and head through the north gate before joining the River Avon which you follow to the outskirts of the town. The route then passes the ancient settlement of Old Sarum before rejoining the river to West Amesbury via Woodford Bridge. A short on road stretch then takes you to Stonehenge, part of the National Trust’s Stonehenge Landscape

Salisbury to Stonehenge Ordnance Survey Map – view and print off detailed OS map
Salisbury to Stonehenge Aerial Photo View Map – view photos and points of interest

http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksCycle/salisbury-to-stonehenge-cycle-route#

The Stonehenge Cycle Challange is this September 2013.  Starting at the Preseli Hills in the Pembrokeshire National Park and ending inside the stone circle at Stonehenge with a celebratory glass of champagne, this really is a monumental ride of a lifetime.  More

Stonehenge News Team

 

January 18, 2013

Stonehenge revamp could be ‘opportunity’ for Windsor

Posted by StonehengeNews under Lego Land, stonehenge tours, Stonehenge Visitor centre, Visit Wiltshire, Windsor Castle Tours
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The council in Windsor is looking at ways it can benefit from tourism.

Wondsor Castle ToursThe news comes after a tour company said last week it would no longer bring visitors to the town due to parking problems.

At a meeting last night a forum agreed to explore how they can increase the time holiday-makers spend in Windsor.

The suggestion follows changes at ancient Stonehenge. The attraction in Wiltshire is in the process of a £27m project. The changes include a 10-minute shuttle from a new visitor centre being built 2km from the stones. This means it will require a significantly extended visit time for tour operators.

At the Royal Borough’s visitor management forum, members said tour firms take visitors on whistle-stop day trips around the UK only spending a few hours in Windsor, before moving on to attractions such as Stonehenge.

Instead they want people to stay in Windsor all day, overnight or longer.

They said tourists are rushed up to Windsor Castle and back – without visiting other attractions or the town centre – and they want people to have a ‘better and more rounded experience’.

Ideas suggested include improving the route from Windsor Coach Park, in Alma Road, to Windsor Castle, giving the park a facelift and creating a ‘my favourite or perfect day’ borough itinerary.

Chairman Cllr Alan Mellins (Con, Cox Green) said changes at Stonehenge may force tour operators to adapt their itineraries and spend more time in Windsor because Stonehenge is harder to be completed quickly.

Vice-chairman Cllr Andrew Jenner (Con, Maidenhead Riverside) said it does not matter ‘how pretty’ Windsor is – it was about changing the ‘mind set’ of operators.

They suggested day trips combining Windsor with just Oxford or Hampton Court, rather than with Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge.

Tourism facts for Windsor:

– Last year between 1.2-1.5 million visitors came through Windsor Coach Park in Alma Road.

– Money made from the tourist coaches coming to Windsor was said to be worth about £22million to the borough’s economy.

– The average time spent by a visitor to Windsor is two to four and a half hours.

– Top tourist enquries to http://www.windsor.gov.uk in 2012 were Windsor Castle with 992,652 views, and Changing of the Guard with 55,030.

– The top events people searched for in 2012 were the Armed Forces Muster and Parade and Ascot Carriages – carriage rides through the Royal Landscape.

– Press coverage of the Royal Borough in 2012 reached over 145 million people and was valued at half a million pounds.

– Windsor is home to two of the UK’s Top 20 visitor attractions – Windsor Castle and Legoland.

Full article: http://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/News/Areas/Windsor/Stonehenge-revamp-could-be-opportunity-for-Windsor-17012013.htm

Stonehenge News Team

 

January 16, 2013

STONEHENGE, PREHISTORIC WESSEX, BATH AND THE COTWOLDS (3 DAY TOUR)

Posted by StonehengeNews under Archaeological tour, Avebury Stone Circle, Durrington Walls, english heritage, Prehistoric Wessex, Stonehenge Cursus, stonehenge special access, stonehenge tours, Wessex Tours | Tags: |
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Tours from Antiquity have released a new Archaelogy Tour for 2013.

The ultimate weekend excursion from London. Offering the best of British in a relaxed and well-paced holiday.
Some of the most imposing architecture and mysterious ancient monuments in the world, certainly within the United Kingdom. These sites coupled with the beautiful Wiltshire and Oxfordshire countryside offer the participants of this holiday a special and unique experience.

Special Access to the Stonehenge Circle.

STONEHENGE, PREHISTORIC WESSEX, BATH AND THE COTWOLDSStonehenge, Prehistoric Wessex, Bath and the Cotswolds tour introduces our guests to some of the most imposing architecture and mysterious ancient monuments in the world, certainly within the United Kingdom. These sites coupled with the beautiful Wiltshire and Oxfordshire countryside offer the participants of this holiday a special and unique experience. Our holiday is original, imaginative, well-paced and carefully balanced. Knowledge of the subject matter provided by our archaeologist and the destinations combine with detailed attention to practical matters, ensure an enriching and smooth-running experience. Coupled with the archaeology, TFA holidays offer our participants immersion into the English countryside, focussing on local tradition, culture, archaeology, heritage, landscapes and food and drink.

6-8 September 2013
From London we start our tour with the ancient rolling downlands Oxfordshire and a visit to the internationally-renowned Bronze Age Uffington White Horse, situated within a unique complex of ancient monuments.

Our afternoon is spent enjoying two of Englands most picturesque villages, Lacock and Castle Combe. Lacock has been used as a background film set for films including Harry Potter and Castle Combe is regarded by many as the prettiest village in England.

We start the morning at the Avebury World Heritage Landscape. We visit Silbury Hill, the largest man-made hill in prehistoric Europe. We enter the 5500 year old burial chamber of West Kennet Long Barrow, entering a sacred space originally reserved only for ritual specialists and the dead. After which we visit the largest stone circle in Europe at Avebury, with its beautiful medieval village situated inside. As John Aubrey in the 1600’s notes [Avebury]…”does as much exceed in greatness the so renowned Stonehenge as a Cathedral doeth a parish church.”

Lunch is spent in Salisbury where we enjoy the splendour of Salisbury Cathedral.

The afternoon is spent exploring landscape directly surrounding Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. We start by visiting Durrington Walls ‘Stonehenge builder’s village’ and Woodhenge, we then walk over the ridge visiting several burial mounds, Stonehenge Cursus and finally the Stonehenge Avenue. The day is finish with a private access visit to Stonehenge, an opportunity limited to a handful of visitors, were our archaeologist will delve into understanding this enigmatic and ancient monument.

We start our visit to the centre of Bath with a walking tour of the most impressive examples of architecture Bath has to offer, visiting the Assembly Rooms, Royal Circus and Royal Crescent.

Our guest then enjoy admission to the famous Roman Baths, the site of the only thermal springs in Britian. After you enjoy the splendour of the Baths, you are given amble ‘own time’ to explore the remainder of this city at your own pace.

Finishing the day with a visit to the National Trusts, Prior Park; with its beautiful views of the city-scape of Bath. From here we head back towards London.

Visit their website: http://www.toursfromantiquity.com

Wiltshire Tour Guide

 

 

January 1, 2013

Get Up Close To The Stones At Stonehenge in 2013 Like Few Visitors Do

Posted by StonehengeNews under Avebury Stone Circle, Salisbury Tours, Silbury Hill, small group tours, stonehenge private tours, stonehenge special access, stonehenge tour 2013, stonehenge tours, Visit Wiltshire, World Heritage
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Stonehenge is a ‘must see’ for anyone visiting the UK. Our Stonehenge Special Access Tour gives you privileged access to the Stone Circle

As one of the country’s most famous World Heritage sites most visitors are not allowed direct access to the stones, but we Stonehneg inner circle tour - close uphave arranged with English Heritage for privileged access before or after the site opens to the general public between April and September only.

Stonehenge Guided Tours, the operator twin the special access visit with Salisbury for morning visits and Avebury for evening tours.
The tour starts and finishes in Central London. The special access visits are either earaly in the morning or in the evening outside public opening hours.

There are different itineraries depending on the time of your visit.

Sonehenge Guided Tours, the operator twin the special access visit with Salisbury for morning visits and Avebury for evening tours.

Morning Itinerary Including Salisbury
After the special access visit a short drive is taken through the beautiful Woodford Valley. Next stop will be at Salisbury Cathedral, where you will have free time to explore this beautiful and historic medieval Cathedral.
Price includes Special Access to Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and English Breakfast plus of course the services of the guide.

Avebury Henge

Before the special access visit a visit is made to Avebury, another henge and much else Neolithic besides. A great training camp for Stonehenge itself.
You will have free time to explore this picturesque and historic village ringed by the largest stone circle in the world. Join your guide for a pint of fine English Ale at the Red Lion Pub – the only pub in the world located in the middle of a stone circle! (soft drink can be arranged as an alternative option)
Also walk up the hillside to West Kennet Long Barrow one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain and over 5000 years old.

Price includes Special Access to Stonehenge, expert guided tour of Avebury and West Kennet Long Barrow and a pint at the Red Lion Pub.

As the sun begins to set, we enter the stone circle (which is normally roped off to the public) for a unique private viewing. The most dramatic and atmospheric way of visiting Stonehenge.
On selected days the tour operates in reverse, beginning with a private viewing of Stonehenge before it opens to the public in the morning, so we see the stones in the eerie morning light. This is followed by our visits to Lacock and Bath.

These tours sell out very quickly as the demand far outstrips supply of available places – be sure to reserve your place early.

For this and other Stonehenge Private Access Tours visit: www.StonehengeTours.com

Stonehenge Private Access Tours – Go beyond the fences!
In addition our regular ‘scheduled group tour’ departures we are often able to get permission from the English Heritage for additional ‘inner circle’ tours for small groups (1-16 persons). These can be sunset or sunrise times depending on availability. These bespoke tours can also include Salisbury, Avebury, Bath, or Warwick Castle etc and can depart from London, Salisbury or Bath. This can often be cheaper than joining a scheduled tour, offers more flexibility, more personal and a better alround experience. Email us your desired dates and group size for a prompt reply. Click here

Stonehenge Guided Tours
The Stonehenge Experts

 

December 22, 2012

Greeting the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

Posted by StonehengeNews under stonehenge access, Visit Wiltshire, winter solstice 2012, World Heritage
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MORE than 5,000 people turned out to greet the sun at Stonehenge on Friday morning.

Stonehenge Winter Solstice 2012

The weather held off for sunrise at the Winter Solstice celebrations and only one arrest was made for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

An English Heritage spokesman said: “This year the weather was particularly fine and the ancient stones were bathed in winter sunshine. The atmosphere throughout was good natured.

“English Heritage would like to thank everyone who helped organise this year’s celebrations.”

Source: http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk

Visitors were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise

 


Stonehenge Guided Tours – 

 

December 16, 2012

An Alternative December Celebration: Winter Solstice 2012

Posted by StonehengeNews under Challice Well, Druids, glstonbury tor, winter solstice 2012
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Looking to join in with Winter Solstice celebrations – then head to Glastonbury or Stonehenge on the 21st December

If the annual hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush is getting you down then how about experiencing a different sort of celebration this December?  The Winter Solstice celebrations at Chalice Well Garden in Glastonbury, and also at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, may just be the trick for a bit of peaceful meditation. 

Stonehenge SolsticeChalice Well is known as a World Peace Garden.  Run by The Chalice Well Trust, it is a place of peace and tranquillity for those of all faiths, and also those who do not have one. People gather together, not in a building or structure of worship, but in the beautiful garden, with the idea being that this will allow a shared acknowledgement of the sacred and divine that members believe transcends borders and differences.

The festivals held here are grounded in the following common principles; welcome, stillness, silence, reflection, grace, communion, community, relationship, celebration, gratitude and blessing.  One such festival, The Wheel of the Year Festival, is a Winter Solstice meditation, and will be held in the Garden on Friday December 21 between 12.00 and 12.30pm.

On this date people will be gathering at the Well Head at 12pm for celebration and meditation until 12:30.  At 12:30 they are invited to join around the fire on the Lower Lawn for informal ’conversation’, the hope being that this will be an opportunity for people to share ideas, thoughts and beliefs, and perhaps also a chance to increase connection through understanding.  Refreshments will be available on the day.

Head to Glastonbury, Somerset, for the Winter Solstice with the Challice Well Trust

If you would prefer to experience the Winter Solstice like the druids do, then you may want to undertake a tour to Stonehenge instead.  Each year on December 21st, visitors from around the world gather peacefully at the English Heritage site early in the morning to mark the most important day of the year at Stonehenge, and to see the sunrise above the stones.

The Winter Solstice is an ad hoc celebration that brings together England’s New Age Tribes (neo-druids, neo-pagans, Wiccans) with ordinary families, tourists, travellers and party people for a magical and spiritual experience.  Stonehenge is carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset.  At dawn the central Altar stone aligns with the Slaughter stone, Heel stone and the rising sun to the northeast.  The exact time for the Solstice on the 21st is 11.39pm, UK time.  The sunset is at 3.53pm and the sunrise at 8.04am.

Coach tours to Stonehenge are available and some come with a guide, allowing you to spend 1-2 hours inside the stone circle and witness the sun rising, Druid Ceremony and festivities.  The complex is usually roped off, meaning visitors normally observe the stones from a distance, but pre-booked winter solstice tours do allow you to be amongst the stones for a short period of access before the site opens to the general public, likely to be from approximately 7.30 to 9.00am.

How exciting! If you fancy joining in in the solstice celebrations, let us know where and do send us a picture!

Link source: http://news.hugofox.com/2012/11/27/an-alternative-december-celebration-winter-solstice-2012/

Stonehenge Guided Tours – www.StonehengeTours.com

 

December 11, 2012

Stonehenge Guided Landscape Tours.

Posted by StonehengeNews under Stonehenge guided tours form London., Stonehenge walking tour, Tours From Antiquity
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Ancient ceremonial landscape of great archaeological and wildlife interest

Within the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, the National Trust manages 827 hectares (2,100 acres) of downland surrounding the famous stone circle.

burial-mounds

Walking across the grassland, visitors can discover other prehistoric monuments, including the Avenue and King Barrow Ridge with its Bronze Age burial mounds.

Nearby, Winterbourne Stoke Barrows is another fascinating example of a prehistoric cemetery. While Durrington Walls hides the remains of a Neolithic village.

The best approach to the famous stone circle is across Normanton Down, a round barrow cemetery dates from around 2600 to 1600BC.

 

National Trust Link: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stonehengelandscape/
More Stonehenge Landscape Tours: http://stonehengetours.com/stonehenge-prehistoric-wessex-walking-tour.htm

Stonehenge Guided Tours – http://www.StonehengeTours.com

 

 

 

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