David, I thought Avebury Circle preceded the construction of Stonehenge by at least 200 years?

I went there many years ago and thought it was a complete waste of time. I do not believe I shall every return.<BR><BR>I surprised to see so many responses of those who think it is worth an extra trip.

This thread brings up the question, does anyone who doesn't appreciate or know anything about history really care about seeing historical sites? Would an uninformed person rather just shop or have tea? Or do alot of people just visit sites to say they have been there?<BR><BR>Anyone who thinks Stonehenge is a pile of rocks, which it is literally, could not possibly comprehend it's historical place and value.

MaryC<BR><BR>The other way round: Stonehenge from about 2950 BC Avebury 2800 BC.

How can they be so sure about dates so long ago? I thought there was some margin of error in techniques like carbon-dating. And especially Avebury, which has been messed-around with so much.

Any archeologists out there?<BR><BR>I imagine they come up with some kind of average of the various carbon dates they find....<BR><BR>Completion of Stonehenge?.....1964

Amateur archeaological enthusiast here!<BR><BR>You can't C14 date inorganic things like stones.<BR><BR>However it is possible to tell when the stones were put up by working out the astronomical alignment from when they were placed (an element of guesswork here) compared with the current sky.<BR><BR>Also you can test the difference between the current magnetic field and the magnetic resonance of the stones.<BR><BR>Other than that its guesswork. Clever people's guesses but still guesses.<BR><BR>

We visited Stonehenge this summer because it was number one on my son's list of things to do in Great Britain. We took a car from London to Bath, spent most of the day there and then stopped at Stonehenge in the evening. We were able to gain inner circle access through English Heritage. <BR><BR>It was a highlight of our vacation for everyone in the family. We had an hour to visit the stones with a small group of about sixteen. We witnessed a couple renewing their wedding vows in a pagan ceremony led by a priestess. That was truly interesting, and the whole visit was a fantastic experience for us.

I saw National Lampoon's European Vacation and the Griswold's car toppled all the stones in the circle. Have they fixed it since then? Is there a McDonalds or a Starbucks near by so I can pick up a bite and sit in the circle and enjoy a little picnic?

I was there 10 days ago and most of the stones that the Griswold's knocked over are back up but a few are stil on the ground. Unfortunately you will have a long walk or drive to find the nearest Mickey D's. Ditto for Starbucks.

When I read questions like this one, I don't think there is a correct answer. It's like asking if its worth it to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the pyramids, or some other famous or historical monument. It really depends on the person. Some people will enjoy it and others will think it is a total waste of time. I went to Stonehenge once as a child and again as an adult. I enjoyed it both times. I think I actually appreciated it more as an adult, especially when you are staring at the rocks and thinking about how people 3000 years ago were able to move these huge stones there from many miles away. On the other hand, while I was there, I did hear several people say "Is that all there is"? So the real answer to Kris' question is something only she can answer for herself.

If your husband wants to see it then you should go. You have to park across the highway from the site, it's fenced off, you can't touch any of the stones and it's really tough to get a photo that doesn't contain quite a bit of background clutter. So what? If it interests him, go. If you rent a car ("hire" in the lingo) you can see all you need to see and be gone in 15 minutes. It's about an hour outside of London (depending of course on exactly where you are in London). On the other hand if you arrange a tour through a local tour company it can be an all day drudging, excruciatingly boring experience. I talked to a guy from LA who had left his hotel (near the Marble Arch) at 7:00am and after stopping at other hotels to pick up other tourists arrived at Stonehenge at 11:00am. He was told they'd be at the site for about two hours . . . it was 3:00pm when I talked to him.<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR>Steve<BR><BR><BR><BR>Like others have mentioned, there's a lot in that general vicinity such as Salisbury, Bath, Marlborough . . .

Being an Englishman, I would recommend Stonehenge, but it is essential that you combine it with visits to Salisbury (whose cathedral has the tallest spire in Europe) and Winchester (whose cathedral has the longest nave in Europe). <BR><BR>Incidentally Winchester Cathedral (apart from being the subject of a pop song in the sixties, by the 'New Vaudeville Band')has been around for 900 years. Inside the cathedral (for all you 'Pride and Prejudice' fans), Jane Austen is buried there.<BR><BR>These three places are within less than an hour's drive of one another.<BR><BR>Having lived in both Salisbury and Winchester, I have to say that I prefer Winchester (the capital of England, before the Romans came and made 'Londinium' (London) the capital.<BR><BR>If ever you see reference to Belgarum Venta, this is the Roman name for Winchester, rather like Old Sarum is the Roman name for Salisbury.<BR><BR>Winchester also boasts some of the oldest taverns in England - if ever you visit Winchester, you must visit my local hostelry the "Wykekam Arms", tucked amongst a labyrinth of streets within two minutes walking distance of the Cathedral.<BR><BR>I am sure I have bored you enough already, so here are a couple of links to the best pub (and hotel) in Winchester.<BR><BR>http://www.theaa.com/hotels/23289.html<BR><BR><BR>http://www.karenbrown.com/ews/wykehamarms.html<BR><BR>Or if you want an overview of the various pubs in town, here is a link BUT ! I cannot guarantee them all !<BR><BR>http://www.hursley.ibm.com/Winchester/venue.html<BR><BR>Hope to see you in " The Wyke" !<BR><BR>e-mail me if you are in the vicinity<BR><BR>Otherwise, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS !"<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

HOw do you get to the inner circle without taking a tour from london (i.e if you drive up on the day)?

Stonehenge is administered by English Heritage, which thus controls the Inner Circle access visits. You have to sign up with them in advance, the places usually sell out quickly, so it's unlikely that you could just show up and get in. You can go directly through English Heritage or through one of the tour agencies that work with them, like Astral Travels.<BR><BR>http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Jen, you're a genious

David Ibzer; You're not another Wykehamist are you?<BR><BR>Your history is dreadful!<BR><BR>The Roman name for Winchester is Venta Belgarum, which means the Market of the Belgae, the Celtic tribe who lived their (after whom Belgium is named as well)<BR><BR>There was no England before the Romans and as the Island was inhabited by a number of different Celtic Tribes. The English didn't arrive until two centuries after the Romans had gone.<BR><BR>Londinium wasn't the Capital of this non existant England, as the Romans didn't have a capital, but a series of Civitates, I.e. regional governments, based in York, Colchester, Winchester, Chester etc. <BR><BR>Winchester was the Capital of Wessex, the Kingdom of the West Saxons, who came to dominate the other Anglish and Saxon Kingdoms, and became de facto capital of England.<BR><BR>It was the Normans who moved it...<BR><BR>I can doubly recommend the Wykeham Arms though.

THis is turning into a very small world.<BR><BR>I used to live (with the ex from hell) next door to the Wykeham Arms (Last house in canon St, adjoining the Wykeham Arm's car park). It used to be a brothel.<BR><BR>I have always thought that Graham Jamieson was the biggest berk on god's own earth. <BR><BR>It's still a nice pub though.<BR><BR>You can see it here if you're feeling homesick (and you can see my old house)<BR><BR>http://www.vrwinchester.co.uk/iview_java/source/20_wykeham_arms_kingsgate..html<BR><BR>I miss the house. Not the ex though.<BR><BR><BR>

David,<BR><BR>It gets spookier still.<BR><BR>I live on Wykeham Terrace, in Brighton. My Regency Gothic Castle is in fact a Regency Gothic Almshouse (with turrets) built for "Fallen Gentlewomen" and was in fact a brothel for many years. In fact the only surviving complete example of<BR>regency gothic architecture in the world<BR><BR>http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/...tc_queries.htm

And spookier again!<BR><BR>Leo Sayer drinks in the same pub as me!<BR><BR>He's very short, still has a bubble perm, but isn't dressed like a clown.