Stonehenge questions
Jun 5th, 2003, 04:46 AM
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Stonehenge questions
What is the best way to see stonehenge and avoid the crowds? Go early? Late? We are going to the U.K. in late September and would like to be able to see Stonehenge without hoards of people. Thanks!!
Jun 5th, 2003, 04:54 AM
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THe last time we were at Stonehenge, we were there late in the day, just before closing, and it was nearly empty. Of course, that was 2001 and during the hoof and mouth disaster. I believe we were just about the last tourists of the day to leave. It was very relaxing not to have to deal with crowds.
We saw it previously in 1997 --- July --- and got there early in the morning. It was already packed. We were lucky to get the English audioguides, which are free with admission, because when we left, there were people standing in line for them. (Other languages, such as French and German were in ample supply at mid-morning, but not Emglish!)
So my advice is plan your visit for the end of day. Even without the h&m disaster, things are usually quieter at the end of the day because tourists are heading to their destinations for the night.
We saw it previously in 1997 --- July --- and got there early in the morning. It was already packed. We were lucky to get the English audioguides, which are free with admission, because when we left, there were people standing in line for them. (Other languages, such as French and German were in ample supply at mid-morning, but not Emglish!)
So my advice is plan your visit for the end of day. Even without the h&m disaster, things are usually quieter at the end of the day because tourists are heading to their destinations for the night.
Jun 5th, 2003, 04:55 AM
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I took the first bus from Salisbury, arriving about 10 minutes before opening. There was one coach-tour group clustered into an obvious huddle, but otherwise it wasn't what I'd call "crowded". I shouldn't think crowds would be any worse in September than in May.
Unless you're into crystals and spirit guides, it takes about 10 minutes to see Stonehenge. The stone circle at Avebury (near Woodstock) is much larger, older and more interesting. There are also a number of other prehistoric sites clustered around Avebury.
Unless you're into crystals and spirit guides, it takes about 10 minutes to see Stonehenge. The stone circle at Avebury (near Woodstock) is much larger, older and more interesting. There are also a number of other prehistoric sites clustered around Avebury.
Jun 5th, 2003, 05:09 AM
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Ivy,
We went late in the day, that's probably best. We listened to the audio guide, and were there for about 50 minutes. (And contrary to drsawyers' assertion, I am neither into crystals nor spirit guides).
I found Stonehenge more interesting than Avebury because the audio guide gave you so much information. (It also might have had something to do with the fact that it was freezing and raining when we were at Avebury, too...)
Have fun!
Karen
We went late in the day, that's probably best. We listened to the audio guide, and were there for about 50 minutes. (And contrary to drsawyers' assertion, I am neither into crystals nor spirit guides).
I found Stonehenge more interesting than Avebury because the audio guide gave you so much information. (It also might have had something to do with the fact that it was freezing and raining when we were at Avebury, too...)
Have fun!
Karen
Jun 5th, 2003, 05:16 AM
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Inlate Sept the crowds will not be bad almost any time - worse on weekends though.
Arriving near closing time will be best because most of the tourbuses are gone by then. But don't cut it too close since some people do spend more than 10 minutes.
And do stop at Avebury too - a totally different experience (It is nowhere near Woodstock BTW)
Arriving near closing time will be best because most of the tourbuses are gone by then. But don't cut it too close since some people do spend more than 10 minutes.
And do stop at Avebury too - a totally different experience (It is nowhere near Woodstock BTW)
Jun 5th, 2003, 05:36 AM
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With all due respect to the Stonehenge enthusiasts...it's a total waste of time. Have you seen pictures of it on TV? Have you seen any sort of documentary on the subject matter, whether narrarted by Leonard Nemoy or an A&E Documentary? If so, great, you've seen everything, now go spend your time sightseeing something much better or try to soak up the culture in another town. When you get to Stonehenge, you look at the rocks and say to yourself "Wow, cool.", and then you think to yourself "just like on tv", and it's over. You cannot even up close. Sorry folks, if you've got a tv, watch the documentary and skip it on your travels. IMHO.
Jun 5th, 2003, 02:00 PM
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You can get inside the fences and walk amoung the stones with just a handful of other people if you join one of the after-hours "Inner Circle" tours conducted by Astral Travels, or you can make arrangements directly through English Heritage. Three major benefits: Seeing hte stones up close, avoiding crowds, and leaving hte rest of your day free for other activities.
Jun 5th, 2003, 02:10 PM
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tskobo - it is treu Stonehenge is not for everyone. But using your logic makes it unnecessary to go anywhere that has been photographed/filmed.
Why go to St Pauls, or the Eiffel Tower, or the Colliseum? I have seen countless pictures of each - but that would never keep me from visiting.
Why go to St Pauls, or the Eiffel Tower, or the Colliseum? I have seen countless pictures of each - but that would never keep me from visiting.
Jun 5th, 2003, 02:20 PM
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my daughter and i went two years ago with astral tours. they were so wonderful and reasonable. they also are the only company to still get to go inside the fences after the park closes. they only do it once a month, but i would highly recommend them.
Jun 5th, 2003, 02:48 PM
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Where did you get the idea that Astral does the Inner Circle tours only once a month? There are at least 8 or 10 of them each month in the summertime.
http://www.astraltravels.co.uk/astra...ccess_tour.htm
http://www.astraltravels.co.uk/astra...ccess_tour.htm
Jun 5th, 2003, 05:04 PM
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I just wanted to second the vote for the Astral (or Heritage!) "Inner Circle" tours.
Not only do you get to go INSIDE the circle with a knowledgeable guide who shows you interesting details (like the stone on which Christopher Wren carved his name, and the unique features of the stones that made their architecture so unique), but the tours are arranged for before or after the crowds have gone. The whole site is literally shut off to everyone other than your small group, which is limited to about 15 - 20 people. A very memorable and unique experience, IMO, and vastly different than what I'd imagine it would be to go like during the day with crowds of people and not being able to get within 5 meters of the circle. (And I'm not into crystals and spirit guides, either!)
Not only do you get to go INSIDE the circle with a knowledgeable guide who shows you interesting details (like the stone on which Christopher Wren carved his name, and the unique features of the stones that made their architecture so unique), but the tours are arranged for before or after the crowds have gone. The whole site is literally shut off to everyone other than your small group, which is limited to about 15 - 20 people. A very memorable and unique experience, IMO, and vastly different than what I'd imagine it would be to go like during the day with crowds of people and not being able to get within 5 meters of the circle. (And I'm not into crystals and spirit guides, either!)
Jun 6th, 2003, 02:05 AM
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I've got photos of both Stonehenge and Avebury if you want to compare. They're in the last album on this page:
http://pages.prodigy.net/drsawyers/
Stonehenge is certainly more "photogenic", but in my opinion Avebury is much more interesting. Plus you don't need special permission to walk among the stones. Unfortunately, a village and two busy roads have been built right through the middle of the ancient site.
http://pages.prodigy.net/drsawyers/
Stonehenge is certainly more "photogenic", but in my opinion Avebury is much more interesting. Plus you don't need special permission to walk among the stones. Unfortunately, a village and two busy roads have been built right through the middle of the ancient site.
Jun 6th, 2003, 02:29 AM
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Another possibility is to visit Stonehenge "after hours" - it may officially close but you can still see it great from the road (a two lane but fairly busy road goes within a few feet of it). Yes you have to look over or through a chain link fence. BUT - there won't be hords of tourists. We were not planning on going as I didn't think seeing it in a line of tourists would be very worthwhile but we were in the area and decided to drive by even though it was about 7:30 pm (in July). It was wonderful! There were about three other cars pulled off the road and a handful of people looking through the fence. We spent about half an hour just looking at it, photographing it, being amazed by it. But I really think if I had been there with all the tour bus crowds it would not have been nearly the experience it was. Avbury was also worthwhile, special in its way, but somehow not as moving as Stonehenge.
