Small-group tours of Britain from London
Join our Stonehenge tours from London and visit one of Britain’s most iconic destinations. Travel in a small-group on a comfortable minibus, in the company of a friendly driver-guide. Discover the theories, uncover the mysteries and get close to this iconic ancient collection of stones…
Visit one of Britain’s most iconic destinations and get up close to the stones.
Set on Salisbury plain, Stonehenge lies among charming countryside scenery.
Discover the mysteries of the world’s most famous pre-historic monument.
The earliest human activity in central England can be seen from around 10,000 years ago during the Mesolithic era; a period which followed the last ice age. This was a landscape characterised by forest, with people drawn to the area because of its fertile lands; ideal for farming and hunting. Over time, shifting weather patterns and rising sea waters saw Britain become detached from Europe. With changing human activity, a new culture began to emerge; one of agriculture, burials and rituals, and the area around Stonehenge became a sacred centre of Neolithic activity.
Over 350 stone construction works were undertaken and at the centre of everything was Stonehenge; a project of epic proportions set on the site of an earlier wooden monument. The earliest phase of work at Stonehenge was a circular bank and ditch called a ’henge’, which is estimated to have been carved out around 3,000bc. This was followed by the raising of the first stones approximately 500 years later, and further works continued for several centuries. At completion a complex design had been created; consisting of three stone arrangements together.
Stonehenge was built using two different types of stone and a variety of construction techniques. Sarsen stones make up the large outer circles; weighing up to 25 tonnes each they were carved into shape and set in a post-and-lintel formation. The smaller stones placed in the centre are the ‘bluestones’, weighing significantly less, up to 5 tonnes each. Originally these stones were actually located in the Presili hills in South Wales and transported to Stonehenge in a journey of over 150 miles. Evidence suggests that construction at Stonehenge spanned over 1000 years, after which the site was mysteriously abandoned.
So, what is the true meaning of Stonehenge? Who built this iconic monument? When was it built? And perhaps most importantly of all…why? All are logical questions, but most remain without definitive answers. The element of mystery is one of Stonehenge’s most enduring qualities. But the complexity of Stonehenge’s design and construction, and the effort required during its creation suggests a deep meaning and significance to the purpose of Stonehenge.
A variety of ideas have been suggested over recent centuries. Early theorists considered the stones to be that of a Druid temple. The first ever image produced of Stonehenge depicts a giant creating the monument. Arthurian legend tells the tale of the wizard Merlin constructing the monument by bringing the stones from Ireland. Roman temple, fertility symbol, place of healing and paranormal alien creation are some other ideas that have been put forward.
The most commonly known theory today suggests that Stonehenge was built as a solar and astronomical calendar; the stones placed as an aid to track the sun and moon to help mark the change between seasons. As a result, Stonehenge remains a site of pilgrimage, especially for the summer solstice; the longest day of the year. More recently, discoveries have supported the idea that Stonehenge was created as a burial site, with numerous remains found. However, no theory has been proved conclusively, and the question ‘What’s the meaning of Stonehenge’ is still unanswered.