I remember the first time I visited Stonehenge. It seems like just yesterday. Fifteen, freezing, and fatigued, I vividly remember thinking “nice…a lovely little pile of rocks.” This time around, I was most definitely freezing (#Texanproblems) and fatigued, but no longer fifteen unfortunately…or perhaps fortunately.
This time around, there was something incredibly peaceful about yet another one of my favorite World Heritage Sites. I love the fact that like the pyramids of Giza, no one has a clue how Stonehenge came to be. That mystery can definitely be felt as you take a turn around the stones that date back to between 2000 and 3000 BC.
If you’re staying in London, it is incredibly easy to get there. There are countless tours that can take you, or if you’re up for a drive, it is just a few hours outside the city. I recommend going in the morning, and if you’re around town during the Summer Solstice, you will have an “interesting” people watching experience. I did this back in 2007 when I was living in the UK, and it was a rather unique experience.
Countless tales have been told about how the stones came into place. Was it a bunch of aliens? Or perhaps the Druids coming to offer their blessings?
British poet Layamon referenced Stonehenge in one of his most notable poems:
The stones are great
And magic power they have
Men that are sick
Fare to that stone
And they wash that stone
And with that water bathe away their sickness
Here a few pictures from my visit. If you have visited this magical place, please feel free to share!
I love Stonehenge – you are right it is definitely magical! You have to see it to believe it- how on earth did they come to be there?! Great post x
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Absolutely!! It’s definitely a special place and an incredible part of world history really. Thanks so much for stopping by!!!”:)
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It is incredible. Driving past it to the West Country (Devon, Cornwall etc) something strange always happens. However well the traffic flows before and after, the stretch of road past the ‘henge always moves at a snail’s pace, the stones demand a long look and respect.
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Well said! I have heard friends of mine say the same thing. It definitely is not a sight that you ever get used to witnessing.
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Great post! I am going there in September! Did you get to go inside the site or just outside of it?
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Thank you, Jamie! You will absolutely love it. If you go through with a standard ticket, you won’t be able to go inside the site. There are special tours you can purchase that will allow you to actually go up close. It is definitely worth it!
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Perfect! Thank you! I hope I can get a ticket inside!
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It’s been 33 years since I got to visit Stonehenge. Seems a millennium. (And yes, that does age me, doesn’t it!) In those Olden Days, they still let us wander right in among the stones without any paved paths or other impediments, and it was so lovely. The sense of history-and-mystery was still remarkably palpable. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Or, if I can figure out how to transcend my mortality in some nifty Druidic way, another millennium. 😉
Kathryn
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When I visited the site in the early 2000s, we were able to walk straight up as well. What an incredible feeling it was to be so close to something so magical. Now you have to be taken onsite by bus. The atmosphere has definitely changed, but it never gets old. Hopefully you will be able to return soon.
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This is definitely a place I’d want to visit one day! Great photos! 🙂
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Thanks! It is definitely worth it. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit.
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Loving what you’ve done with the title there. Last time I saw stone henge it was snowing, it was such an amazing site.
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Thank you!!!:) Stonehenge in the snow? That sounds amazing!!!
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