The Chaotic Campervaners Review of Stonehenge

 

Our Visit to Stonehenge

We had been intending to visit Stonehenge for a very long time!  Bakerboy had been there 3 times before many years ago, but The Bunny Whisperer and I had never visited it.  So whilst we were staying at the Salisbury campsite, we thought that we would go to see Stonehenge.

Before we booked our tickets to Stonehenge we decided to take out English Heritage membership.  We had previously been members and although this cost more than the entry to Stonehenge, we decided that it would be worth it as we would then be able to visit Stonehenge and over 400 other EH sites free of charge.  We booked our free tickets for 9.30 am, the earliest time that we could as this would be quieter.  When we arrived at Stonehenge, the queue for pre-booked tickets was much shorter than for those who were booking on arrival.  As you approach the ticket booth, there are QR Codes for you to download the free audio tour.  Although, you can download this prior to your visit by visiting this link. We had also pre-ordered the Stonehenge Guidebook and collected this as they checked our tickets.

Having made sure that Bakerboy was equipped with a coffee (very important) and that we had used the toilets at the visitors centre, we headed over to the free shuttle bus for the short ride up to the stones. The shuttle bus takes just under 5 minutes to get to the stones and there is commentary as you travel that tells you about the area and explains what to expect as you approach.  There is also an information board for you to read once you have got off of the bus which has a lot of information about Stonehenge. 

Having never visited Stonehenge before, I was very eager to actually see the stones and I wasn't disappointed!  Stonehenge is such an amazing sight!  Although you are not able to get up close to the stones, you do still get an amazing view of them.  There is a circular path around the stones giving you lots of different views.  As you walk around, the light, shadows and different angles change giving you lots of opportunities to take plenty of amazing photos.  

We really enjoyed walking around the stones.  Afterwards, we hopped onto the shuttle bus and returned to the Visitors Centre.  We decided that first we were going to explore the Neolithic Village that has been built just outside of the Visitors Centre.  This village was reconstructed using the evidence that had been found at Durrington Walls about 2 miles from Stonehenge.  The houses at Durrington Walls would have been lived in at around 2,500 BC which is about the same time that the Stonehenge circle was being built.

We decided to stop off at the cafe before visiting the Exhibition.  The cafe was clean, light and airy and when we visited, there was plenty of seating.  There is a good range of food available, including items suitable for those with dietary requirements and we felt that the prices were fairly reasonable too.  There is also a baby bottle warmer and a microwave for heating baby food.  

Feeling refreshed, we wanted to learn more about the history of Stonehenge.  Upon entering the Exhibition Tour, you walk into a large circular area. The walls of this area come alive with the image of Stonehenge through the ages.  There are some gentle sounds and some short flashes of lightening that accompany the film.  This part of the exhibition is very impressive and is perfect for children.  This film repeats on a roughly 3 minute cycle.

You then enter the main exhibition where you learn all about the history of Stonehenge.  There are artifacts, the skeleton of an Early Neolithic man and lots of different items that have been found at Stonehenge.  You can find out about the importance of Durrington Walls and about burials in round barrows.  We really enjoyed looking at and feeling the 4 models that show how the site at Stonehenge was originally built, rearranged and developed into the Stonehenge that we know today.  

Finally, we visited the gift shop.  There are Stonehenge souvenirs, English Heritage products and keepsakes.  These are a range of prices and The Bunny Whisperer found a couple of things that he wanted that he could afford with his pocket money, so he was happy.

We really enjoyed our visit to Stonehenge!  It was interesting, educational and a great day out.  Stonehenge is so unique, it is unlike anywhere else we have ever been.  People come from all over the world to see the stones and we're so lucky to have it on our 'doorstep'!  Our top tip for your day out at Stonehenge is to talk to the guides.  They really do have a wealth of knowledge and they are very happy to answer your questions!  I also feel that it is definitely worth buying the Stonehenge Guidebook.  It has so much detail in it including the very recent history of Stonehenge. 

In my opinion, there are only two things that I feel that Stonehenge really needs. The first is a really good heritage style children's play area.  I know that English Heritage don't very often have play areas at their sites, but Stonehenge is a unique place with huge historical relevance that attracts families from all around the world.  As the October 2022 edition of the English Heritage Members' Magazine writes 'Stonehenge is one of the places where kids can really get to grips with prehistory'. 

The other thing that I feel needs addressing is the lack of a complete off road walk to the stones.  You can walk to the stones along the side of the road and there is an off road walk, but it only starts part of the way along the road.  I think that a full length off road walk would enhance the Stonehenge experience for many people.

That said, Stonehenge is an amazing place, we had such a fantastic time there!  If you have not been, it is definitely worth a visit. We have even been back since (using our English Heritage membership) to take more photos and learn more about Stonehenge.

Thank you for reading The Chaotic Campervaner's review of Stonehenge.  You might also find it useful to read our blog post with our Top Tips for Visiting Stonehenge.   You can also read all about our stay at the Salisbury Campsite on our blog.  

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