Connie

My daughter went to London for a month and recommends not to go unless you just have to say you went. She was on an exchange trip with her university and all the professors and kids that did go see it just said it's just rocks, just like TV. Can't get close and can't do much. Just see it. Not like the Eiffel where you touch, ride, see it, and other things you see on TV but you do interact with. Plus it's kinda out of the way and can kill your day

Anonymous

Connie, have you read ANY of the other posts on this thread?? We've been discussing ways to get within the circle and up close to the stones, and tours that make a very full day incorporating not just Stonehenge but also Avebury and other Neolithic sites, etc. When we took the Astral Inner Circle tour in summer 2001, we got a side trip to see some of the current crop circles and even the pub where they're allegedly planned.

I'm sorry that your daughter was disappointed with her tour. I guess if I'd spent a whole day just going out there and back, and seen the stones from behind the fence, I'd be disappointed, too. What a shame that her group didn't at least go to Salisbury, just a few miles away.

tondalaya

A biggie, as far as disappointments.

jmw

Hi Ivy. I hope you'll be able to take advantage of one of the previous suggestions for being up close and avoiding crowds. That sounds wonderful.

But I visited Stonehenge during the morning one June after visiting Avebury, and found that I was just as mesmerized as if I were alone. (well almost, I suppose) I could have sat down on the path, let the crowds mill around me, and happily spent several hours communing. (And guess what, I'm not a crystal person either.) I think it has to do with your expectations and the preparation you've made by reading about that amazing testiment to the prehistoric people who built it (and the leader who planned it).

I think so many tourists (dare I say younger?) come with something like an ADD approach because they've become accustomed to razzle dazzle. Been there, done that, what's next. Well if that's all you bring to Stonehenge, you are indeed wasting your time. There, I've said it. I'm old. J.

geribrum

Guess I've been to Stonehenge three times. First in midsummer 1985, (I think,) with a tour, were told it was closed because the Druids were causing a bit of a ruckus, but then we were given permission to see it. So amid barbed wire barricades and armed military, we went and walked around it. Yes, from a distance, but still thrilling.

On another trip with friends, did a day trip from London and the third time, in March of this year, in a private car, we got there about 15 minutes before official opening, so basically had the place to ourselves. True, we were not free to walk among the stones, but still worth the experience. It's my recollection that I wasn't able to climb the pyramids of Egypt either, but still a thrill to be there.

During my latest trip to England, in March, we also toured Avebury and Stanton Drew, where we wandered at will. We just stumbled upon Stanton Drew which is located in a sheep pasture, but was most interesting. Then Avebury, with it's huge undressed stones, where it's possible to almost feel a mystical presence.

Would I return to Stonehenge again, even without walking among the stones? Absolutely, in a heartbeat!

jor

Go on a rainy day like I did. Lots of people will whimp out.

But Stonehenge isn't that big of deal anyway. I thought it was a disappointment. There is a much better equivilent nearby call Avery or somthing like that. I'm bad with names. You can walk up to all of the stones.

bebe

Delighted to hear there is a way to get inside the inner circle, but it looks from their website as though Astral Tours only does it from London. What if you are already down around Bath or the Cotswolds, is it possible to hook up with something? The English Heritage lead didn't get me anywhere.

Anonymous

What do you mean, the English Heritage lead didn't get you anywhere? I just did a google search on 3 words, english heritage stonehenge, the first link in the search took me to English Heritage's Stonehenge page, where there's a link to "Private Access". Here's the link to the page, I refuse to copy out the contents for you!

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...e%26WCE%3D6479

bebe

Thanks for your help Annonymous. I didn't click "private access" -- was expecting something less obvious such as, say, "Inner Circle Tours," "Behind the Rope," or even, "After Hours Tours." Guess I am dumb, huh? Or just not thinking like a Brit, yet.

Anonymous

Perhaps you also overlooked hte text on that page, which says, "There is no access to the centre circle during normal opening hours, however, Private Access can be arranged out of hours by telephoning (01980) 626267. Use the menu on the left to find out more about Private Access to Stonehenge"? "Inner circle" is the branded name for Astral Travel's tour.

TerryLFred

Just returned from London, which included a road trip to Salisbury. From there we drove out to Stonehenge and got there around 10:00 a.m. We were lucky to have a sunny day. It was great. We loved the sight of it as we drove up. Then the audio guides that you get were really great. It wasn't too crowded while we were there (just about an hour) but we saw more buses arriving as we were leaving.

I wasn't sure what to expect either since you hear so many people say to just skip it if you've seen the pictures. But my husband and I really enjoyed it and are so glad we went. We would recommend it to anybody.

Terry

Travelermebe

I guess its all a matter of your perspective. I visited Stonehenge the first time in the 60s as a teenager with my parents. At that time, there was no problem with accessibility. My parents took pictures of my sister and I sitting on some of the smaller stones and doing headstands with our feet against some of the larger ones. However, at that time, I must admit that I was totally unimpressed.

I next visited Stonehenge with my teenage daughters a couple of years ago. We went early in the morning on a bright sunny day with only a few people there. Even though we had to walk around the outside of the rope barrier, this time I was totally impressed. I tried to imagine how and why such an ancient people could haul those huge stones so many miles and then set them up there in the middle of nowhere. I ended up taking a lot of pictures of the stones from all different angles.

While it might still be nice to walk among the stones, you really can't take the whole site in unless you stand back to look at it. I really wouldn't pass up Stonehenge just because you are unable to arrange for inner circle tour. Of course, predictably, my teenage daughters were less than impressed and couldn't wait to leave.

MD

My dad claims to have a photo of him and college chums doing chimney climbs between the stones from the 40's... Things have changed.

I've been there twice, and neither time was the site terribly crowded. Maybe 30 people tops... (Weekday, July 91 and Sept.00)

janis

I have a photo of me sitting on one of the stones with my Scottie and Airedale sitting at my feet -- taken in the 70's.