Stonehenge
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Port
Portland (Weymouth), England, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$139.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Visit Stonehenge, Britain's most remarkable and intriguing prehistoric monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in several stages from about 3000 BC, it is as old as the great temples and pyramids of Egypt. Simplicity, solitude and a powerful air of mystery surround this enigmatic and ancient circle of stones set within a grassy landscape. Seen by some as a sacred site, the henge attracts with its uncertain and ancient history, sheer size and shape, and fame.
Anthropologists can only guess at the rituals that took place here, but it is thought that the stones, aligned with the rising of the mid-summer sun and set within a landscape of ceremonial structures, may have been built by sun worshippers or as part of a huge astronomical calendar. Transporting, engineering and shaping of the stones -- some of which came from South Wales -- represented an enormous effort in time, organization and physical labor.
A sophisticated statement of both arithmetic and astrology, Stonehenge remains as compelling today as it was to the people who built the first phase more than 5,000 years ago. It commands attention, inspires awe, and generates speculation. The mystery of why and how it was built may never be properly solved, but the fascination persists for scientists, historians and visitors like you.
Notes:
Travel time to Stonehenge is approximately two hours each way. Wear comfortable walking shoes. An electronic audio guide can be downloaded onto your phone; bring earphones. The Stones are seen from a distance, and there is no opportunity to touch or walk within the Stone Circle. A short shuttle bus ride from the Visitor Center takes you to the Stone Circle. Your time at the stones is unguided.