Things to Do in Stonehenge

Stonehenge sits on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, about 90 minutes west of London, and it's genuinely one of those places that manages to live up to the hype despite millions of visitors each year. The ancient stone circle, dating back roughly 5,000 years, remains beautifully mysterious - archaeologists still debate whether it was a temple, an astronomical calendar, or a burial ground, which honestly makes standing there all the more compelling. The surrounding landscape is surprisingly vast and peaceful, dotted with Bronze Age burial mounds and ancient pathways that give you a real sense of just how significant this area has been throughout human history. What strikes most people is how the monument sits in this sweeping countryside that feels largely unchanged despite the modern visitor facilities. The audio guide does a solid job of walking you through the various theories about Stonehenge's purpose, and the circular walkway around the stones gives you different perspectives as the light shifts throughout the day. While you can't touch the stones anymore (understandably), the scale and precision of the construction becomes clear as you walk around - these weren't just randomly placed boulders.

The Stonehenge visitor center café serves decent coffee and light meals, though it's fairly standard tourist fare - the soup and sandwiches are reliable if unremarkable. For better dining, head into Salisbury where you'll find everything from traditional pub meals at The Haunch of Venison (a wonderfully atmospheric 14th-century building) to modern British cuisine at more upmarket restaurants around the cathedral close. The villages surrounding Stonehenge offer some genuinely good country pubs - The King's Head Inn in Avebury is particularly worth seeking out, especially if you're combining your Stonehenge visit with the stone circle there.

Late spring through early autumn (May-September) offers the most comfortable weather and longest daylight hours, though this is also peak tourist season with larger crowds and higher prices. Winter visits can be surprisingly atmospheric with dramatic skies and fewer people, but dress warmly as Salisbury Plain can be quite exposed to wind and weather. The summer and winter solstices draw special crowds of modern druids and spiritual seekers, creating a unique but very busy atmosphere if you're interested in contemporary interpretations of the site's significance.