Stonehenge is one of the prehistoric wonders of the world that was built in around 3000 BC. It is estimated that these monuments took at least fifteen hundred years to erect. Stonehenge includes about a hundred stones that are all positioned circularly. A summer and winter solstice are always celebrated in here.
What is there in Stonehenge?
Why so many tourists visit Stonehenge every year?
Many tourists are attracted by the mysteries that surround this monument. It used to be an ancient burial site as many cremated remains were found there by archaeologists. Some stories say how these stones were brought by giants from a land far away. Some of them also talk about how the rocks have powers to heal. Of course, when surrounded by such mysteriousness, who wouldn’t want to visit?
This mysterious attraction is visited by at least 800,000 tourists annually.
Significance of Stonehenge
Stonehenge, Salisbury, UKStonehenge is surrounded by monuments from the Bronze Age and Neolithic periods. It is a world-renowned site that, over the years, has contributed to the research.
The site and surrounding landscapes have been studied by archaeologists and historians to learn about historical evolution. They have also done fieldwork to gain more knowledge of the Bronze Age and Neolithic period. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do near Stonehenge
Apart from visiting this spectacular monument, you can do many other things around this area.
If you love English architecture, then Salisbury Cathedral is a delight to the eyes. The interior is sparkling with Purbeck marble, and adding to this are the vibrant colored limestones that make the inside of the cathedral look stunning.
It was built in 1258, and since then, it has been the top-visited religious site. You can take a tour of the tower and check out the library as well.
These are just located two miles from Stonehenge. This site was used by people more than four thousand years ago, and this was where people used to live and hold traditional feasts.
People here also took part in various rituals, as discovered by the archaeologists. It is an open landscape with lush greenery. If you visit Stonehenge, you should also visit this and take a pleasant stroll around the scene.
This place is where the people of Salisbury settled first. You can do many things here, such as check out the Iron Age Hillfort that was built back in around 400 BC.
You can even visit the Royal Castle and the first Cathedral of Salisbury. Apart from this, you can walk around the place, enjoying the views and taking in its history.
Bottom line
Stonehenge is a significant site and rightly so. History should be preserved, and this is one way of doing it. The Stonehenge visitor area has a museum to explore and will give knowledge on the past lives of the ancestors living in the Stonehenge area. If looking at stones gets too dull for you, then you can visit the nearby areas for variety. The surrounding landscape is lush and beautiful, and you will not want to take your eyes off the views. It is an excellent place to visit for a small getaway with family and friends.
My cousin and her husband drove me from Newport to Salisbury for approximately 2 hours. She told me that the Stonehenge visitor center is new, and the bus to transport to the Stonehenge is unique as well. They used to drive very close to Stonehenge and walk a bit. But if you have ample time, a walk is not bad at all on a beautiful day, from parking to the Stonehenge for approximately 45 minutes to one hour.