We are going to be near Stonehendge in June.
and wondered if you can just stop on the side of
the road while passing and see it or if you have
to drive in, park, pay, wait in lines, ect.?

As long as you can't walk right up to it anymore,
we thought we might just as well see it from the road
if that was possible instead of spending lots of
time waiting to see it.
Thanks for any information,
Robbyn

Yes, you can see it from the road - and that's a much better idea than standing in line. It's one of those things that you look at and say "yes, it looks just like the pictures!" - not worth taking time for in my opinion! However it's close toely town of Salisbury, which is very interesting - the cathedral is breathtaking from the outside. Enjoy!

Hi, I agree with previous respondent. The only way I would pay to go in was if it was a slow day - usually because of weather or time of year - and you would be able to get some great shots of without lots of people. One time when we went there was some kind of Druidic ceremony and it was worthwhile to pay to go in, but you can see as much from outside the fence, and if you have a good telephoto your pictures may be okay too. Not too far away is Stourhead Gardens, by Mere. If you need a place to stay overnight try the Spread Eagle Inn. When I went to the washroom in the morning I was eyeball to eyeball with a huge peacock staring in my window. Lovely place. Have fun.

True, Stonehenge is something special. But we found Avebury in Wiltshire much more to our liking because you can actually walk right up to the huge stones, see the ditch that once surrounded this immense structure, and get a real feel for what these prehistoric builders were up against. We first saw Stonehenge 30 years ago when you could wander among the stones, even picnic among them. But all that has changed due to the crush of tourists. Avebury, though less known, is far more accessible.

I also agree--Stonehenge is NOT worth the price, though if you buy a British Heritage pass, it costs no extra. One response recommends stopping by the side of the road then going to Salisbury to see the cathedral (which has a copy of the Magna Carta and the oldest clock in the world)--and I agree this is your best bet. If you go to Salisbury, you could eat at The Haunch of Venison (pub) which is a short walk away. The place is about 500 years old, and the floors bow and sag and meander due to settling. THe food is good, though a little expensive and you can see the mummified hand in a cubby hole in the lobby (I am NOT kidding about this). Ask them to tell you about it. I think the story about how it got there is blarney, but it still is an interesting (and gruesome) sight.

I would pay the fee and see Stonehenge up close but do it early in the morning before the tourist buses arrive. To me, you just cannot get the amazing feeling of being among the huge stones on top of that hill with the wind blowing in your face and seeing the green rolling hills spread out before you with sheep grazing in the fields. The whole magical effect is ruined from your car down below. But only do it before the tourists get there.

I went there last year for the first time and found that "it looked just like the pictures." Stonehendge is the worth of stopping on the side of the road but nothing more than that. (mainly because of the hord of tourists) I am returning to Engalnd this summer and plan to stop at Avebury, the lesser known of the great stone circles.