Interesting Facts About Stonehenge

Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is arguably the most important Neolithic monument in the world. This 5,000-year-old site in its entirety is a famous stone circle that has remained a mystery for thousands of years despite its fame. The construction of Stonehenge spanned thousands of years with some parts of the famous Neolithic site being older than the rest. The 'henge' that surrounds the stones was built around 3,100 BCE, for example but the first stones, on the other hand, were erected between 2,400 and 2,200 BC, years later.


Visiting Stonehenge is truly an awe-inspiring experience as you are able to walk among these ancient sarsens for 45 minutes. Here you will be learning about all of their fascinating features, which is an incredible testament to human ingenuity. Stonehenge is 1.5 miles from an exhibition and visitor centre that houses five Neolithic dwellings and gives visitors a glimpse into life 4,500 years ago. Many of the massive Stonehenge stones are still visible, arranged in a circular pattern. Archaeological studies reveal that the structure of this magnificent monument has undergone numerous reconstructions over the centuries as it was constructed and reconstructed by different ancient cultures.


One of the greatest mysteries in history is Stonehenge's existence. As one of the most well-known landmarks in Britain, the Wiltshire stone circle continues to baffle visitors and historians alike with its mysterious origins. The site, as seen, consists of a jumble of stone posts, some of which are capped with slabs, enclosed by a low, spiral earthwork. There are no regular opening hours for Stone Circle, so most visitors can only see it from a distance, which is mysterious, mesmerising, and out of everyone's reach.

As of 1978, Visitors To The Stone Circle Had A New Way To Enter
As of 1978, Visitors To The Stone Circle Had A New Way To Enter

In order to safeguard the valuable and fragile artifacts and stones, a decision was made to remove them. In the past, the area had been covered in gravel, which was absurd and damaged the stones. Monumental grounds have been meticulously maintained in recent years. One of the most interesting facts about Stonehenge is that getting inside the circle is still possible, as limited-number Stone Circle visits take place outside of regular visiting hours and can be scheduled online.


Do Checkout: How To Reach Stonehenge

Women And Children Resided At Stonehenge
Women And Children Resided At Stonehenge

Remains of 50,000 bones belonging to 63 men, women, and children were unearthed at the site by archaeologists in 2013. It is possible some of these bones date back to 3000 BC, while others are only from the 2500 BC time period. However, it's not clear if Stonehenge's primary purpose was to serve as a burial ground at the beginning of its existence, and that is one of the most interesting facts about Stonehenge. Also, as per some Stonehenge facts, several high-status women were buried in round barrows, close to Stonehenge. One woman was admired because she was buried with valuables that included a cup. This small cup may have formerly housed a light and was used in the funeral rites.


Read More: Stonehenge Solstice

They're Called "Ringing Rocks" For A Reason
They're Called "Ringing Rocks" For A Reason

The stones’ clunking sound is one of the most fun facts about Stonehenge because of the stones’ unusual acoustic properties, which helps explain why anyone would bother transporting them such a long distance. These rocks are revered for their supposed healing properties in some ancient cultures.


Do Checkout: History Of Stonehenge

It Extends Underground
It Extends Underground

Stonehenge's stones may appear large, and thus one of the interesting facts about Stonehenge is that they are big but a quarter of their weight is buried underground to provide stability. To put it another way, Stone 56, which stands 6.58 metres above the ground, has a total height of 8.71 metres.


Also Read: Plan Your Visit To Stonehenge

Stonehenge Is Much More Than A Simple Stone Circle
Stonehenge Is Much More Than A Simple Stone Circle

One of the interesting Stonehenge facts is that over 700 archaeological features are included in the World Heritage Site ‘Stonehenge Half’, including the find spots. They consist of henges, timber structures, and enclosures as well as numerous burial mounds. There are over 180 of these scheduled monuments and there is a lot to learn about Stonehenge's history from an interactive landscape map.

It Is Anything But A Henge!
It Is Anything But A Henge!

It is not one of the many henges in Great Britain, and that is one of the strangest facts about Stonehenge. That is not a true henge because its ditch is outside the earthwork itself, which means it isn't one. The most famous actual henge is Avebury, located a few miles to the north.


Also Read: London To Stonehenge

It Contains Two Different Kinds Of Stone
It Contains Two Different Kinds Of Stone

Large sarsens and smaller bluestones are used in the construction of Stonehenge, and that is one of the unknown facts of Stonehenge. Archaeologists believe that the sarsens came from Marlborough Downs, while the bluestones came from Preseli Hills in south-west Wales. We don't know how the stones got to their final destination, but it's likely that they were carried or pulled across the land by water channels.

Arthurian Folklore
Arthurian Folklore

One of the interesting facts about Stonehenge was that Merlin took Stonehenge from Ireland, where it was rebuilt in Wiltshire in honour of the 3,000 nobles who died fighting the Saxons.


Must Checkout: Oxford To Stonehenge

The Stones Came From Approximately 200 Miles Away
The Stones Came From Approximately 200 Miles Away

One of the alleged facts about Stonehenge was that the stones here were quarried near Maenclochog in Wales and shifted to Wiltshire – a major technical feat at the time.


Recommended Read: Stonehenge Visitor Centre

Stonehenge Was Constructed In Phases
Stonehenge Was Constructed In Phases

Stonehenge began as a simple earthwork enclosure for prehistoric people to bury their cremated dead around 5,000 years ago. One of the facts of Stonehenge is that it was built around 2500 BC, and the stone circle in the monument's center is late Neolithic.


Also Checkout: Places To Visit Near Stonehenge

It Caused A Fight In 1985
It Caused A Fight In 1985

The Battle of the Beanfield was fought on June 1, 1985 between a convoy of 600 New Age travellers and 1,300 police. The fight broke out when the travellers were stopped by a police roadblock seven miles from Stonehenge to set up the Stonehenge Free Festival.


Must Read: Campsites Near Stonehenge

The Stonehenge World Heritage Site Is Enormous
The Stonehenge World Heritage Site Is Enormous

One of the fun facts about Stonehenge is that Arable fields and Chalk downland occupy 2,600 hectares (6,500 acres) of the World Heritage Site's Stonehenge portion. Compared to New York City’s Central Park, this is a seven-and-a-half-times larger area. Over 10,000 square metres of land is surrounded by the Stonehenge circular bank and ditch.


Do Checkout: Activities To Do Near Stonehenge

In 1915, Stonehenge Was Purchased At Auction
In 1915, Stonehenge Was Purchased At Auction

Local businessman Cecil Chubb bought it for £6,600 at an auction for dining chairs. Chubb donated the memorial to the nation three years later, to the then Ministry of Works. Major excavations and restorations were performed between 1919 and 1929, and again between 1958 and 1964. Stonehenge now lies inside a reconstructed environment, giving a sense of its original surroundings.


Read More: Stonehenge Opening Times

Around 1500 Roman Artefacts Were Found In Stonehenge
Around 1500 Roman Artefacts Were Found In Stonehenge

Other fun facts about Stonehenge are that Coins, jewelry, and pins, as well as ceramic fragments, were among the items discovered there. Rather than being the work of Roman tourists, these are assumed to be the work of pilgrims who came to Stonehenge to worship. Large trenches were dug inside the monument around this time as well.

Stonehenge Currently Has 154 Volunteers
Stonehenge Currently Has 154 Volunteers

Over 1.3 million people visit the site each year thanks to the efforts of these 154 people. They're a vital part of the Stonehenge team, from welcoming visitors to describing life in the Neolithic houses and conducting educational sessions.


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Book Stonehenge Tickets & Tours

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Stonehenge Express: Day Trip from London
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  • Explore the captivating mysteries and legends that surround Stonehenge, a site steeped in intrigue

  • Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Salisbury Plain, providing a stunning backdrop to the ancient site

  • Enhance your experience with an informative audio guide, providing fascinating insights and historical context

  • Book your Stonhenge tickets and capture the magic of the moment as you witness the iconic silhouette of this iconic attraction

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Must Know Before You Go
  • The schedule is subject to change depending on traffic and weather conditions on your activity date.
  • Please dress accordingly depending on the day's weather conditions.
  • Arrive at the meet-up location 15 minutes before the scheduled activity time.
  • Latecomers or no-shows can't be refunded.
  • Make sure to arrive on time.
  • The tour bus will leave sharply on time.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival.
  • Last admission is 2 hours before closing.
  • Service dogs are welcome.
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Book Windsor, Stonehenge And Oxford Tour From London

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  • Learn historical and cultural facts about London and these buildings by an English-speaking guide

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Must Know Before You Go
  • Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • As a working royal palace, the castle is used frequently by the Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Therefore, opening arrangements may change with no notice.
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  • Travel time back to London (approximately 2 hours) can vary with traffic congestion an unknown variable. Please be mindful of this when making post-trip arrangements.
  • Viewing at Windsor Castle is restricted on Sundays. Also, St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on this day.
  • Fixed day ticket implies that this ticket will be applicable only for the date that you've booked the ticket, it won't be carried forward to next or any other day.
  • Children aged 0-2 years can join free of cost. Child Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 3-16 years. Adult Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 17-65 years. Senior Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 65-99 years.
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  • Learn historical and cultural facts about London and these buildings by an English-speaking guide

  • Visit 3 iconic attractions of London- Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford in a whistle-stop city tour

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Must Know Before You Go
  • Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • As a working royal palace, the castle is used frequently by the Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Therefore, opening arrangements may change with no notice.
  • The order in which the attractions are visited may vary seasonally or for operational reasons.
  • Travel time back to London (approximately 2 hours) can vary with traffic congestion an unknown variable. Please be mindful of this when making post-trip arrangements.
  • Viewing at Windsor Castle is restricted on Sundays. Also, St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on this day.
  • Fixed day ticket implies that this ticket will be applicable only for the date that you've booked the ticket, it won't be carried forward to next or any other day.
  • Children aged 0-2 years can join free of cost. Child Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 3-16 years. Adult Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 17-65 years. Senior Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 65-99 years.
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions and any other personal expenses are not included in the package.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival and entry.
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Windsor, Stonehenge, and Oxford Tour in English
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  • Take a tour of the largest occupied fortress in the world for over 900 years: the Windsor Castle

  • Get insights about the mysterious architecture of stone circle- Stonehenge

  • Explore the famous university city- Oxford, also known as "The City of Dreaming Spires"

  • Learn historical and cultural facts about London and these buildings by an English-speaking guide

  • Visit 3 iconic attractions of London- Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford in a whistle-stop city tour

Scroll down to read more
Must Know Before You Go
  • Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • As a working royal palace, the castle is used frequently by the Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Therefore, opening arrangements may change with no notice.
  • The order in which the attractions are visited may vary seasonally or for operational reasons.
  • Travel time back to London (approximately 2 hours) can vary with traffic congestion an unknown variable. Please be mindful of this when making post-trip arrangements.
  • Viewing at Windsor Castle is restricted on Sundays. Also, St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on this day.
  • Fixed day ticket implies that this ticket will be applicable only for the date that you've booked the ticket, it won't be carried forward to next or any other day.
  • Children aged 0-2 years can join free of cost. Child Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 3-16 years. Adult Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 17-65 years. Senior Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 65-99 years.
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions and any other personal expenses are not included in the package.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival and entry.
Scroll down to read more

Explore More About Stonehenge

FAQs

How was Stonehenge Built?

    Stonehenge was built by shaping the boulders and this step was the first one. Archaeologists believe ancient Britons hammered wood wedges into stone cracks. As water soaked wood expanded and split the stone they shaped them with chisels and hammers, and later to build on them, they were transported. They were probably dragged overland by men and oxen teams on rafts down rivers. It is thought the stones were rolled along the ground on giant wooden sledges. The builders dug deep stone ditches, then raised them with ropes and filled the ditches with rocks to hold them in place.

Why are you not allowed to touch Stonehenge?

How did Stonehenge get its name?

Why was Stonehenge built in the shape of a circle?

Know Before You Go To Stonehenge

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