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Stonehenge Tickets and Discounts from £20pp

Stonehenge Ticket Prices, Discounts & Opening Times

Important Information

The above Stonehenge ticket prices are if you want to book tickets on the day directly at Stonehenge with English Heritage. However, you can pre-book discount Stonehenge tickets on the day (subject to availability) or prior to travel with other suppliers, which we can recommend. Many of these providers also offer a 24-hour cancellation policy with a full refund, so you don’t lose out if your plans change.

Stonehenge is open every day, except for Christmas Day and generally from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm (however, this is date-dependent, and you can find more details below). If you are visiting in the afternoon, you must ensure you have Stonehenge tickets and enter through the main entrance at least two hours before closing (so the last entry is usually 3:00 pm); otherwise, you won’t be allowed access.

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Why pre-book your Stonehenge tickets online?

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Do i need a ticket to see stonehenge.

You need book tickets to get anywhere near Stonehenge. Suppose you are happy seeing it from a distance on the side of the road, then no. However, you need a ticket if you want to get within a few hundred yards and there is no way to gain free entry unless you are a National Trust member. The Stonehenge ticket doesn’t just give you access to see the Stones up close (within 10 yards) but also to the visitor centre where you can understand all you need to about the history of Stonehenge with their awarding-winning Stonehenge exhibition. Don’t forgetting the admission price for Stonehenge on the day is more expensive than pre-booking, and if you pre-book or amend your booking you can do so up to 24 hours before without charge.

What’s included in the entry fee of a Stonehenge ticket?

• Firstly, you will see the “Stonehenge Collection,” an indoor exhibition inside the visitor centre . 
• You will then have access to the free shuttle bus that takes you from the visitor centre to the Stones, a mile away. Many people do choose to walk this. 
• Of course, you will be able to get up close to the Stones; the closes you can get is ten yards depending on where you are standing outside the stone circle. 
• You will be able to use the Stonehenge Audio Guide – which is also available to download from the App store. 

If you do pay the Stonehenge entrance fee, you will still have access to the toilets, gift shop and cafe – you won’t be able to view the visitor centre or get closer to the stones. When you purchase your Stonehenge ticket you will also be given the chance to gift aid if you are a UK taxpayer also, this helps give more money to keep Stonehenge going while at no extra cost to yourself.

Do I need to pre-book Stonehenge tickets?

You don’t need to pre-book; however, on some occasions, English Heritage has had to stop letting visitors without a pre-booked ticket in due to overcrowding. Therefore, we recommend that you pre-book your ticket if you get up close to the Stones and also visit the popular Stonehenge visitor centre. 

Can I skip the line if I pre-purchase a Stonehenge ticket online?

Buying your Stonehenge tickets online before you travel is a great way to save time standing in line on the day, and money. Not only will you avoid waiting in long lines on arrival at the ticket office, but you can also take advantage of discounted rates that are available when tickets are purchased in advance. Furthermore, when you buy your ticket online, you are guaranteed a spot to visit the monument and can plan your day accordingly. By buying your Stonehenge admission tickets online before you travel, you’ll be able to ensure you make the most out of your visit and have an enjoyable and stress-free experience.

Is access to the Visitor Centre included in the ticket price?

The visitor centre at Stonehenge offers a wealth of information about the iconic and mysterious monument. At the centre, visitors can enjoy a range of interactive displays, exhibitions, and audio-visual presentations that tell the story of Stonehenge and its history . In addition, a stunning 360-degree virtual reality experience allows visitors to explore the site in all its glory. The centre also houses a large gift shop , café, and a range of educational activities and materials that are perfect for families and school groups. Additionally, you will receive free audio guides that provide an in-depth overview of the site’s history, mythology and archaeology. All this is included in your Stonehenge ticket price.

How long can I spend at Stonehenge?

When you visit Stonehenge, you will have a ticket, and it will be for a pre-allocated 30-minute window to enter the attraction in. Once you are in, there is no restriction on the time you can stay. That means you can spend as much time in the exhibition hall as you wish, enjoy the gift shop , relax in the café with some lunch or spend longer walking around the ancient Stone circle. However, it is crucial to be aware that the final entrance into Stonehenge is 2 hours before the closing time (usually 5 pm, so the last entry would be at 3 pm).

Can you visit and walk around the Stones for free?

Unfortunately, free entry to Stonehenge is not possible. Stonehenge is owned by English Heritage and managed by the National Trust, and admission tickets are required for access to the site and go towards keeping the site running and sustainable for future generations. The Stonehenge admission ticket price varies depending on the type of visitor and whether you’re buying tickets in advance or on the day. All tickets (seen above) are for a single-day entry. However, group tickets, family tickets, and discounted tickets for English Heritage and National Trust members are available. It is important to be aware that you will still be about ten yards from the Stones unless you are on a private access early morning or late evening tour.

Can I get a London to Stonehenge ticket?

Many Stonehenge tour bus companies (including Premium Tours who we offer special discount Stonehenge tours) run trips from London to Stonehenge , including tickets into Stonehenge. You can do this as a group at a very reasonable rate, or alternately you can find specialised companies that run Stonehenge tours and bespoke trips and guides just for you – although these are far more expensive. 

Is there a discount for Students or Senior Citizens?

Discounts are available for students with an official student card and adults over 65 who wish to purchase Stonehenge tickets. The discount varies by supplier but is often in the region of 5%.

Do I have to buy tickets for Stonehenge from the English Heritage website?

No, there are many different websites where you can buy tickets for Stonehenge. English Heritage is the main one; however, you can shop around online to find the best price, as discounts are often available. In addition, if you are an English Trust member, you will gain free entry to Stonehenge with your annual membership, which can be ordered from the English Heritage website.

Do Stonehenge tickets include the price of a car parking space?

A ticket for Stonehenge does not include the cost of a car parking space which you would need to buy separately on the day. However, there are not often issues with finding spaces in the car park due to many visitors coming by coach as part of many Stonehenge tour bus groups from London and across the UK. The car park is also just a short walk from the Stonehenge visitor centre.

Inner Circle or Special Access visits to Stonehenge

During standard opening hours and days and with general admission Stonehenge tickets, you will not be able to walk inside the Stone circle or touch them – the closest you can get to the Stone circle is approx 10 yards.

However, special access Stonehenge tours allow people into the inner circle and to walk amongst the Stones and even touch them. These visits are limited to 26 people at one time and usually last one hour. They are often pre-booked with specific tour companies and get sold out very quickly. The special access visits are first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening so that you will see either the sunrise or sunset. Because of this timing, it can be a very long day for people taking a trip for one of these tours. However, because of these timings, it can also mean that you will get the opportunity to take some amazing photos while visiting Stonehenge.

LOOKING TO GET OUT OF LONDON IN COMFORT AND WITH A TOUR GUIDE?

Stonehenge tours by luxury coach.

Embark on a truly unforgettable journey by choosing our escorted tour from London to Stonehenge through our website, offering a seamless blend of convenience, luxury, and cultural exploration. Our state-of-the-art luxury coaches ensure a comfortable and stylish travel experience, complete with onboard WiFi, allowing you to stay connected while immersed in the breathtaking English countryside. The adventure begins with a central London pick-up, eliminating the hassle of transportation logistics. Our commitment to providing a hassle-free experience extends beyond Stonehenge, as you can customize your tour by combining it with visits to iconic destinations like Windsor Castle , the Roman Baths , and Oxford. Immerse yourself in the rich history and beauty of these landmarks, all while enjoying the ease and comfort that come with our expertly curated escorted tours. Trust us to make your journey informative and a luxurious and memorable escape from the bustling city life.

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The 8 best stonehenge tours from london (2024).

Stonehenge tours from London are a popular and easy day trip.

The Best Stonehenge Tours

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Stonehenge poses more questions than answers, making it one of the most mysterious prehistoric monuments in the world. And because of its proximity to London, the famous landmark makes for a popular day trip from the city .

Organized Stonehenge tours from London typically include round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned coach, as well as visits to other nearby landmarks, such as the Avebury stone circles, Bath or the Cotswolds. Read on to discover the best Stonehenge tours from London, evaluated by our team using both expert opinion and traveler sentiment.

The English Bus – Stonehenge, Bath & A Secret Place

Price: From 144 pounds (around $183) per person Duration: 12 hours

For adventurous travelers who want to see Stonehenge and Bath and don't mind a little mystery, The English Bus is a great option.

Limited to 16 people, this tour departs from London daily in a Mercedes minibus, complete with panoramic windows and a glass roof. As you drive through the countryside, you'll enjoy live, in-depth commentary from your expert guide before arriving at Stonehenge. After exploring Stonehenge, you'll head to Bath to enjoy lunch and time to roam on your own or join an optional guided tour. Your final stop is a "secret" destination selected by your tour guide. Reviewers praise the knowledgeable, humorous guides and particularly recommend this tour for its small size and luxurious transportation.

Ticket pricing does not include food or Stonehenge tickets. You can buy entry tickets to Stonehenge on-site for about 20 to 25 pounds (around $25 to $31) depending on the time of the year, or you can buy them online in advance for a slight discount. Other tours offered by The English Bus visit the Cotswolds, Canterbury and more.

Check prices & availability on:

Premium Tours – Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock, Bath and 14th Century Pub Lunch

Price: Adults from 159 pounds (about $202); kids from 202 pounds (about $190) Duration: 13 hours

You'll be among the first visitors of the day to step inside Windsor Castle – the largest continuously occupied castle in the world – on this daylong tour. Other highlights include lunch in a 14th-century pub in the charming town of Lacock, a walking tour of Bath and, finally, a visit to Stonehenge. Though most recent tourgoers were happy with the trip (especially the patient, organized guides), they do warn it makes for a long day and wish they had extra time at certain attractions. The tour runs daily, departing Victoria Coach Station in London at 7:45 a.m. It returns around 9 p.m.

Lunch and tickets to attractions are included. Ticket options that do not include entry or lunch are available as well.

Premium Tours also offers excursions to Leeds, Canterbury and Greenwich, among other locations.

Check prices & availability on:  

Evan Evans Tours – Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

Price: Adults from 155 pounds (about $197); kids from 132 pounds (around $184) Duration: 11 hours

In addition to Stonehenge, this 11-hour bus tour stops at Windsor Castle and the historic city of Bath, where you'll be given the choice to explore freely on your own or visit the world-famous Roman Baths. Reviewers praise the guides, who they describe as humorous and fun. They also say the tour is jampacked, but well-paced.

Evan Evans Tours operates a variety of trips outside of London to destinations like Oxford and the Cotswolds, in addition to tours within the city.

Golden Tours – Stonehenge and Bath Tour

Price: Adults from 122 pounds (about $155); kids from 112 pounds (about $143) Duration: 10.5 hours

Ideal for tourists with a dual interest in the city of Bath and Stonehenge, this approximately 11-hour tour offers access and expert insight into both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While in Bath, you'll take a guided walking tour of the city and visit its ancient Roman Baths and Pump Room. The second stop is Stonehenge, where you'll have time to explore the mysteries of this ancient Neolithic structure. Travelers rave about the excellent and informative guides, as well as the drivers.

Tours depart from London daily at 8:30 a.m. Ticket options that do not include entry to Stonehenge or the Roman Baths are also available for a lower price. The company offers a variety of tours to destinations in and around London.

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Anderson Tours – Avebury and Stonehenge Small Group Tour From London

Price: Adults from 114 pounds (about $145); kids from 109 pounds (about $139) Duration: 12 hours

The full-day Avebury and Stonehenge excursion with Anderson Tours picks up in London starting at 7:30 a.m. and makes its first stop at West Kennet Long Barrow – one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain. Here, participants have the chance to visit the burial chambers.

From there, the group visits the medieval village of Avebury, home to the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world. After a guided walking tour of Avebury and free time for lunch and exploration, guides lead the way to Stonehenge, where tourgoers can explore the site at their leisure with the aid of audio guides (accessible via a free smartphone app). The group returns to London around 7 p.m. Visitors say the guides are excellent and that they learned a lot.

Tours run Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Anderson Tours also offers excursions to Oxford, Windsor and Canterbury, among other day trips.

International Friends – Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor

Price: Adults from 157 pounds (about $199); kids from 139 pounds (around $176) Duration: 11 hours

Travelers approve of this tour for its small group (up to 16 participants) and knowledgeable guides, who are well-versed in British history. On this approximately 11-hour journey, you'll visit Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the city of Bath, where you'll have the choice to tour the Roman Baths or wander the ancient city for some sightseeing.

Tours depart daily; exact departure times from London vary by season. International Friends also offers "Harry Potter" tours and excursions to "Downton Abbey" filming locations, among other areas of the English countryside.

Premium Tours – Stonehenge Private Viewing, Lacock and Bath

Price: Adults from 180 pounds (about $229); kids from 170 pounds (approximately $216) Duration: 11 hours

If you want to experience Stonehenge without the crowds, consider this approximately 11-hour tour, which visits Stonehenge when it's closed to the general public. What's more, you'll tour the site's stone circle – an area most visitors only view behind a rope barrier. The day also includes a meal at a 14th-century pub in Lacock, as well as a stop in Bath. In Bath, you can join an optional walking tour to see highlights like the Jane Austen Museum, Pulteney Bridge and the Bath Abbey. Many reviewers call this tour the highlight of their London vacation and highly recommend the evening tour to see Stonehenge at sunset .

Travelers should note there is also an option to buy a ticket that includes entry to the Roman Baths. Morning tours (available Mondays and Thursdays) depart at 5:30 a.m.; evening tours (which run Sundays and Wednesdays) depart at 11:10 a.m.

British Tours – Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford

Price: From 1,440 pounds (about $1,830) for up to five participants Duration: 12 hours

Visit some of England's most famous landmarks with this private day trip. Among the sites you'll see with your personal tour guide are Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the University of Oxford. Travelers enjoy the tour and appreciate the guides' sense of humor and wealth of information. Plus, they appreciate that guides pick up patrons from central London hotels .

Tours for groups of up to six and 15 (minibus) are also available. Prices do not include entrance fees or meals. British Tours offers a variety of other excursions from London, including day trips to explore Paris .

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can visit Stonehenge without a tour . It is accessible to visitors year-round.

However, there are a few benefits to choosing an organized Stonehenge tour, including the commentary and knowledge that tour guides provide, as well as the ease of a tour provider's transportation. Tour companies will pick you up in central London – multiple pickup points are typically available – and take you directly to the historical site; they will then provide return transportation back to the city at the conclusion of the tour.

Stonehenge is located in Salisbury, England, about 90 miles southwest of London. The train ride from the London Waterloo station to Salisbury takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. After that, you can hop on a bus from the train station to Stonehenge, which takes about 30 minutes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best London Tours
• The Best Things to Do in London
• The Best International Travel Insurance

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How to buy stonehenge tickets & are they worth it.

So you want to visit the 5 thousand-year-old, UNESCO-listed, English heritage gem of Stonehenge?

Good choice!

Embarrassingly it took a pandemic to finally get me to tick this mighty number off my bucket list, but I’m so delighted I finally have.

And here to bring you all the lowdown is my guide to buying Stonehenge tickets – how much they cost, what different sorts of tickets there are, where you can buy them, what they all mean and, most importantly, are they worth it.

Short intro over now folks, so what are you waiting for?

Start scrolling to learn all!

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Stonehenge Tickets: Basic Info

There’s one crucial thing that you need to know if you visit Stonehenge and that is, to access the site properly, you need to buy a ticket.

There are a few ways to see the site for free (which I’ll go into at the end of this ticket) but, by and large, the rule of thumb is you need to buy a ticket.

The other karmic advantage to doing so, is that buying a ticket supports English Heritage – a charitable organisation that maintains and preserves the site.

The less karmic, but still significant advantage in buying a ticket, is that this also gives you access to the Stonehenge museum and exhibition centre, as well as an audio guide to the site, which are 2 keys ways to learn more about the ancient wonder you’re witnessing.

In essence, therefore, buying a ticket is a good thing to do!

However it is worth noting that, even with a ticket, you cannot walk right up to the stones, nor touch or climb them.

Stonehenge is now a very heavily protected site and in order to safeguard it for the future (as it should be IMO), the closest you’ll get to the stones is a couple of metres away – unless you book a Stone Circle experience ticket, but more on that later!

However it is worth pointing out that this pretty close distance still allows you to fully appreciate the magic of this place, plus it is a close distance you can only attain with a ticket.

Any of the non-ticket options for Stonehenge (except the Solstice one) will involve you seeing the stones from much further away… but more on this later too!

So on that note, here are 5 main ways to buy tickets for Stonehenge:

• General Admission Tickets
• Stone Circle Experience Tickets
• English Heritage Pass Holders
• Stonehenge Tour Tickets
• London Day Trip Tours

I’ll cover each of these types of ticket, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, in the sections below.

I’m also going to discuss how to get to Stonehenge, what to do when you arrive, when the best time to visit the site is and 5 essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack for your trip there…

So basically, all the info you need!

#1 General Admission Stonehenge Tickets

These are the most common form of Stonehenge tickets, which cover your entire visit to the site.

This includes entrance to the stones, and the closest view you can get, as well as access to the visitor centre and museum, plus free car parking onsite in the off-peak months.

Regular entrance tickets also include the shuttle bus to / from the visitor centre to the Stones (in case you don’t want to walk) and an excellent and detailed audio guide to the Stones, their history, potential purpose and the research that has been conducted about them.

Regular entrance tickets are the most common form of Stonehenge ticket because they are for those who want to independently get to, and then visit, the site.

As such, these tickets are also the cheapest option.

Prices fluctuate depending on the time of your visit, but generally fall into 3 price categories, which range roughly between £21 and £26 for a single adult (prices valid up until March 2024.)

The 3 pricing categories are Off-Peak, Standard or Peak.

Obviously, off-peak times have the cheapest tickets and it’s during peak times that tickets are the most expensive.

Peak tickets times are generally days during the busy summer months and school holidays, while standard tickets cover the costs of visiting Stonehenge during the weekend the rest of the year.

Off-peak tickets are available Monday through Friday in the quieter, colder months, which are generally October through March.

You can buy them online in several different places – booking through English Heritage’s website gives you a 10% discount and also allows you to make an additional donation.

Also well as regular adult tickets, there are also discounted rates for children (5-17 years), concession holders, families (various configurations of adult and child numbers), as well as overseas visitor passes (which give unlimited access for either 9 or 16 days).

Learn more about your general admission ticket here.

#2 Stone Circle Experience Tickets

Stone Circle Experience tickets are also stand-alone entrance tickets, except they offer a more private experience.

Usually, Stone Circle Experiences at Stonehenge are conducted before or after the regular visiting hours and include no more than 30 people.

Select either a 9am, 4pm or 5pm experience depending on the time of year.

These unique, hour-long sessions give you an opportunity to wander in and around the stones without the crowds, with an expert on hand to answer any questions.

You can also take as many pictures as you like, up close and near the stones, as well as marvel at the details on them you can only view close up.

You are still not allowed to touch or stand on the stones.

Stone Circle Experience tickets also grant you access to the visitor centre and exhibitions and are priced at £59 for adults and £35 for children aged 5-17. Children under 5 are free.

These prices are valid up until March 2024.

Discounts are available for English Heritage Members.

Learn more about the Stone Circle Experience and buy your tickets here .

#3 English Heritage & National Trust Member Tickets

The great news is that if you are a member of either English Heritage or the National Trust for England (i.e. you pay an annual subscription fee to these charitable organisations) you can enter Stonehenge for free.

English heritage passes start from just £57 a year, which means if you visit Stonehenge, plus 2 other English Heritage sites, you’ll have soon covered the costs.

Memberships are available as either single, joint, family or lifetime passes and once bought, they allow you unlimited access to over 400 historic places around England, as well as discounted entry to 100’s of events, as well as free parking at any English Heritage owned car parks.

Learn more about English Heritage memberships here .

Although Stonehenge is run and preserved by English Heritage, the land the Stones stand on is owned by the National Trust, which is why members of this organisation also get free entry to Stonehenge and free parking onsite here too.

Memberships are available as either individual, joint, family or lifetime passes and once bought, they allow you unlimited access to over 500 national Trust sites around the UK, as well as free parking at any National Trust owned car parks.

Learn more about National Trust for England membership here .

English Heritage and National Trust for England members must bring their membership cards with them to get free access to Stonehenge.

Both pass holders qualify for free parking at Stonehenge Visitor Centre year-round, but during peak visiting months (basically the summer), I recommend to pre-booking your parking via this website .

#3 Stonehenge Tour Tickets (from Salisbury)

If you’re not a member of English Heritage or the National Trust for England, but want to avoid paying for parking at Stonehenge, or the hassle of driving there at all, then I recommend buying your Stonehenge Tickets as part of a Stonehenge Tour Ticket.

This is the option I actually used for getting to and visiting the stones, because it’s ideal for those who are travelling around the UK (or at least to Stonehenge) on public transport.

Yes, if you’re getting any form of public transport to Stonehenge, then the best place to head for is Salisbury.

Use Trainline to book your rail tickets to Salisbury from across the UK or check out Discover Cars if you want to rent a vehicle to get there.

From here, the easiest way to get to Stonehenge is, undoubtedly, via the Stonehenge Tour Bus.

This is less an organised tour with a guide (if you want that skip to the tour tickets section of this article), but is a bus service, with an audio guide, that takes you from Salisbury to Stonehenge, as there isn’t any other public transport method that does this.

The Stonehenge Tour Bus picks you up from either Salisbury Train Station or Salisbury City Centre – in the New Canal area.

The first Stonehenge Tour Bus leaves Salisbury Rail Station at 10:00 am and then calls at New Canal in the city centre before arriving at Stonehenge at roughly 10:30 am. This is the service I recommend you should get.

That’s because you’ll want at least 2-3 hours at the stones, meaning you’ll likely catch the 12:40 pm or 1:40 pm Stonehenge Tour Bus departing from the stones.

You then have the choice (depending on the ticket you buy, but why not do it all while you are here?!) to visit UNESCO-listed Old Sarum – arriving there at either 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm.

I’d allow an hour for visiting Old Sarum, meaning you’ll head back on the Stonehenge Tour Bus to Salisbury from there at either 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm.

You can also take any Salisbury Red bus that passes the same stop for free – just show your Stonehenge Tour Bus ticket and you will be dropped back in Salisbury City Centre within half an hour.

You can buy different sorts of tickets for the Stonehenge Tour Bus here .

Personally, I think the combination that includes the full bus tour and your Stonehenge entry ticket is the one to go for – it keeps everything streamlined and easy.

If you have an hour or 2 when you get back to Salisbury, then you should also visit the famous Cathedral here.

You can get a Stonehenge Tour Bus ticket which includes Cathedral entry too and again this just keeps everything streamlined and simple, without costing you anything extra.

Wandering through the giant Medieval religious building of Salisbury, as well as seeing one of the 4 original Magna Carta transcripts here, shouldn’t be missed – fitting this in at the end of your trip to Stonehenge is one of the main reasons I recommend getting the earliest tour bus at the start of the day.

#5 Stonehenge Tours from London

And finally, the other way you can get your Stonehenge tickets is as part of an overall day tour – most of which leave from London.

If you’re in the capital, this is an easy and smooth way to navigate both getting to Stonehenge and back, as well as seeing the amazing stones, along with several other top sites nearby.

Depending on which tour you choose, common options for these other top sites are Oxford , Bath , Windsor or Glastonbury .

These fully organised day trips sort out your entrance tickets, as well as all the logistics of visiting Stonehenge for you.

They often include a guided commentary too.

Here’s my pick of the day trips to Stonehenge from London:

• Small Group Stonehenge and Bath Tour with Secret Site
• Stonehenge & Roman Baths: Full-Day Tour from London
• Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury Small Group Tour
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath and Lacock Day Tour
• From London: Full-Day Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour

Arriving at Stonehenge

When you arrive at Stonehenge – no matter whether you’re driving or using a tour – you’ll disembark at the car park and then take a short stroll to the Visitor Centre.

Here you’ll show your ticket and then either have the choice of hopping on the free shuttle bus or walking to the stones.

This is a flat and beautiful stroll taking around 30 minutes, which I highly recommend you make if you can.

Once you reach the stones, you can listen to the Stonehenge Audio Book, which you have the option to download onto your phone in advance and then enjoy while you walk around.

You can then either walk or take the shuttle bus back to the Visitor Centre where you can view the Stonehenge museum.

I highly recommend doing this to learn more about the history of the stones.

Free Ways to See Stonehenge

So as we talked about, there are some ways to see Stonehenge for free i.e. without buying a ticket.

One of these options, we’ve already covered, which is basically by being an English Heritage or National Trust for England member.

The other option, if you want full access to the site, is to show your local resident pass.

This will also get you free access to the site, but needs to be booked in advance during covid times too!

Alternatively, the last method for getting vaguely near the stones is to visit them on June 20 th .

This is the evening before the longest day of the year, the day when the sun rises behind the Heel Stone and shines its rays directly into the centre of the stone circle.

This is a sacred day for druids, many of them who live in the area and come to celebrate at the stones at this time.

Admission is free, but it also gets very crowded – you’ll need to be here by late afternoon if you hope to find a space to park or sit for the view!

If you’re not fussed about being just a few metres from the stones, but want to see them in all their glory nevertheless, then you can also take a walk to the stones, which will take you quite close to them at a free viewpoint.

You can walk from either the nearest town of Amesbury (just 2 miles away) or fellow Neolithic and National Trust site Woodhenge (about 2.5 miles away when walking).

Walking from Woodhenge will take you past the heritage sites or Long Barrow and Kings Barrow, which are signed and marked on Google maps.

Walking from Amesbury can take you along several routes, but the most popular is probably that which goes via Old King Barrows cemetery before heading along The Avenue – thought to be the traditional path people took to Stonehenge thousands of years ago.

Learn more about this walking route here .

With both these walking routes, you can then either buy a Stonehenge ticket at the visitor centre, or enjoy the view from a few meters beyond the paid admission area.

And finally, you can also see a Stonehenge without a ticket, by doing a sneaky drive-by.

The stones can actually be seen from a distance along the A3030 (often why there are traffic jams here!), but perhaps a better place is at the intersection between Willoughby and Fargo Road – just type one of these roads into Google maps and you’ll soon find them.

Other Top Stonehenge Travel Tips

When to Visit Stonehenge?

Given its outdoor setting, there’s no question the best time to visit Stonehenge, in my opinion, is during the summer months – this is when days are longest, warmest and sunniest in the UK and will make for the perfect stone touring conditions.

That said, Stonehenge can get very busy, especially on sunny weekends and during school holidays, so be careful to avoid these times if you can.

Visiting mid-week, outside of school holiday periods, are your best bet for avoiding the crowds!

Don’t forget the summer and winter solstice days (21 June and 21 December) are also very busy here due to druid ceremonies take place.

Stonehenge is generally open from 9:30am to 5pm, 7 days a week, although this does fluctuate according to the seasons and the hours of daylight there is in England in any given month.

Do remember ticket prices fluctuate depending on the time you wish to visit too (see more in the top section of this article) – so you may want to consider this if you are on a really tight budget.

Where to Stay near Stonehenge?

Check out these top accommodation picks in Salisbury , which is the nearest city to Stonehenge at just over 15km away and makes for a great place to base yourself.

5 Stonehenge Packing Essentials

And finally, here’s my list of the top 5 packing essentials you shouldn’t head to Stonehenge without…

#1 A Good Camera – No doubt you’re going to be snapping like crazy in this amazing landscape and need to ensure you have a good camera to do the place justice. I love my Sony A6000 , which is light, compact and great for travel days.

#2 Decent Walking Shoes – No point coming this far and not being able to enjoy a walk to or around the stones comfortably. Get prepared therefore and ensure you have a decent pair of walking shoes – these cross trainers from New Balance are ideal (and totally stylish) for the job.

#3 Light Waterproof Jacket – Whatever the time of year, you have to remember this is England after all, a country in which the heavens can open at any point! Don’t get caught out there and ensure you have a good lightweight and waterproof jacket with you. This  North Face one is perfect.

#4 Compact Hiking Day Pack – I never go on any day trip without a sturdy backpack to ensure I’ve got room to carry everything I need and that the weight is equally distributed across my back and shoulders, This super featherweight Kompressor from Marmot is my go-to, because it folds down to nothing and is water-resistant.

#5 Portable Power Bank – There’s no denying, power can be an issue on day trips, when constant photo taking, map reading and information sourcing can wear down your phone battery fast. My solution: Come armed with a fully charged Anker power bank , so you can fire up your phone, camera or other devices whenever and wherever you need.

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Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

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I really hope you’ve now got all the information you need about buying your Stonehenge tickets, as well as the pros and cons of the different options.

I really think buying a ticket, although expensive, is worth it to support English heritage in their endeavours to preserve the site and also for the audio guide and exhibition at the visitor centre, which both provide a unique opportunity to learn more about this amazing place.

Have you been to this amazing site?

Which ticket or free option did you go?

Please tell me all in the comments section below…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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Seven things you didn’t know about Stonehenge – and how to visit

Until yesterday, only scientists and heritage nerds knew about Stonehenge’s rare lichen. But the ancient monument is awash with mysteries

The principal achievement of the Just Stop Oil protest has been to turn the entire population of Britain into supporters of lichen research. The spraying of an orange powder paint made from cornflour, even if it would – as the group claims – “wash away with rain”, drew the world’s attention to the fact that besides its many claims, the ancient monument is a repository of a species of lichen found nowhere else in the world. Social media quickly filled with pro-lichen campaigners, with members of the public – and J.K. Rowling – piling in to attack or ridicule the Just Stop Oilers for their misguided choice of location and tools.

The sight of Stonehenge, with its broken circle of stones and mighty central trilithons, standing in apparent isolation on Salisbury Plain has been mesmerising travellers for centuries. Even the most erudite specialists continue to debate whether it is a cremation ground, a sun worshipping site, or something else entirely. New finds and interpretations are announced all the time, adding to the mystery as much as they seem to solve it. 

In 2015,  the discovery of a massive and previously unknown palisaded enclosure beneath the banks of Durrington Walls , a couple of miles away, reinforced the theory that Stonehenge is one component of a planned Neolithic landscape on a vast scale. In 2017, a new causewayed enclosure – an early Neolithic monument comprising circuits of segmented ditches – was uncovered at Larkhill, to the north of Stonehenge, during excavations before the building of new army housing. Last year, analysis of the Stonehenge altar stone indicated it comes from a region much further north than the other stones, leading scientists to question the reason behind this disparity in provenance between the site’s various monoliths. 

But Stonehenge is also a source of quirky factoids and an inspirer of wild speculation. Here’s a few to ponder while you wait for the sun to rise. Read on for our guide to visiting Stonehenge .

Christopher Wren carved his name on a stone in the 17th century

Assorted graffiti from across the centuries is present on many of the stones at Stonehenge. Stone 52 bears the name “Wren” and is thought to have been chiselled by St Paul’s Cathedral architect Sir Christopher Wren, whose family had a home nearby.

It has a starring role in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles

While making their escape north, Tess and her husband Angel pause at Stonehenge. Tess feels that her end is near, so she has Angel promise to marry someone else after her death. As it’s night and they’re tired, Tess sleeps on one of the stone “altars”. Near daybreak, the two are surrounded by police who take Tess into custody. For her part, Tess is glad that the end has come. Literary critics say the scene indicates a relationship “between the symbolical sacrifice of Tess at Stonehenge and her association with fertility, ritual, and mythic cycles of seasonal death and rebirth”.

The first guidebook claimed the monument survived Noah’s flood 

Catchily titled An Illustration of Stonehenge and Abury, in the County of Wilts, Pointing Out Their Origin and Character, Through Considerations Hitherto Unnoticed, it was written by Henry Browne and published in 1823 – when the Biblical view of history had not been fully exploded by new theological ideas filtering out of Germany. Browne’s guidebook regarded Stonehenge as one of the few ancient structures that survived the Old Testament flood. 

It was bought at an auction in 1915

Stonehenge was purchased for £6,600 by local businessman Cecil Chubb, who went to the auction allegedly to buy dining chairs. It happened, he said, “on a whim”. Chubb’s wife Mary was reportedly unmoved by the romantic gesture; the price equated to around £570,000 in today’s money. Three years later Chubb gave the monument to the nation, to be cared for by the then Ministry of Works. In 1919, Prime Minister David Lloyd George recognised his generosity with a title, Chubb becoming Sir Cecil Chubb, First Baronet of Stonehenge. The new nobleman had a coat of arms designed, bearing a silver lion’s leg grasping two branches of mistletoe – a plant regarded as sacred by the druids – and the motto “Saxis Condita”, meaning “founded on stones”.

It was the focus of a mass arrest

In 1985, more than 600 new-age travellers were en route to celebrate the Stonehenge Free Festival when their convoy was stopped seven miles short of the landmark by a contingent of some 1,300 policemen. The confrontation turned violent and went on for several hours before 537 were taken into custody in one of the biggest mass arrests of civilians in the history of England. The event is known as The Battle of the Beanfield.

Ancient astronauts have docked here

This claim gained popularity thanks to Erich von Däniken’s 1968 book  Chariots of the Gods? , which claimed numerous monuments, including Stonehenge, may have been built by extraterrestrials. His hypothesis is based upon “interpretations” of Mayan iconography and mysterious landmarks around the world such as the Nazca Lines. The association of monoliths and stone circles with extra-terrestrial life persists in popular culture, from the enigmatic monolith in Stanley Kubrick’s film of Arthur C. Clarke’s  2001: A Space Odyssey , to the mid-70s childrens’ TV serial,  Children of the Stones , in which the stone circle of Milbury – filmed in and based on Stonehenge’s sister site of Avebury – turns out to be a conduit for sinister alien intelligences from beyond a black hole.

Pop musicians love the name

Richie Havens called his 1970 album Stonehenge and featured the standing stones on the cover. Stonedhenge  is the second studio album of English blues rockers Ten Years After; reviewing the disc, one critic said it “seemed to be an attempt at tuning in to cosmic vibrations”. A progressive metal band formed in 1992 in Hungary was called, Stonehenge. Spoof-rockers Spinal Tap’s song Stonehenge – performed with hoods and dry ice – contains the lyric, “Stonehenge! ’Tis a magic place/Where the moon doth rise with a dragon’s face/Stonehenge! Where the virgins lie/And the prayers of devils fill the midnight sky”. 

How to visit Stonehenge

Public transport.

Green Traveller has made a video on getting to Stonehenge without using a car, including by bike. See  greentraveller.co.uk/blog/travel-avebury-and-stonehenge-without-car

The Stonehenge Tour (01202 338420;  thestonehengetour.info ) leaves from Salisbury, 10 miles/15km to the south, which has a mainline railway station. Bus-only costs £19.50 for adults, £13 for children aged 5-15 or £51.50 families (up to two adults and three children) and including entry to Stonehenge and the hilltop site of Old Sarum, it is £38.50, £25.50 or £115. You can pay extra to add Salisbury Cathedral entry. In summer (April-September), the first bus leaves Salisbury railway station at 10am and the last one leaves Stonehenge at 7pm. 

The visitor centre and car park (free for ticketholders) sit to the north of the A303, where the A360 and B3086 meet at Airman’s Corner. In summer traffic can back up to the Countess Roundabout on the A303 in both directions: it may be worth taking the back route via the B3086 and the Packway south to Airman’s Corner.

Tour or no tour?

Interpretation and signage at the visitor centre are excellent. Audio guides for adults are no longer available on site, but you can download them free onto your device from the App Store or Play Store. Headphones for Android phones can be purchased at admissions and in the gift shop for £2.

For an in-depth guide to the stones and their broader context, Blue Badge Tourist Guides ( britainsbestguides.org ) can be booked from approximately £336 per day. 

Highlights for adults

Getting off the shuttle halfway, at Fargo Plantation, and wandering through the trees to see the mysterious – and much older – oblong ditch known as The Cursus, before approaching the stones as they should be approached (if possible): on foot.

Highlights for children

Seeing the recreated face of a 5,000-year old Neolithic man in the visitor centre and then being able to play in his house (the Neolithic village outside is based on remains found at Durrington Walls and often has re-enactors and demonstrations.)

Best time to visit

Winter. At the end of the day, to catch the sun going down behind the stones to the southwest – even better if it’s frosty. And, of course, the winter and summer solstices, when entrance is free, but you have to contend with mighty crowds.

Where to eat

The café in the visitor centre is light and bright with long wooden tables and decent food: you have to try the rock cakes, obviously, and the kitchen produces soups, sandwiches and salads and uses lots of produce from local suppliers.

For a pub lunch, drive six miles for a roaring fire and Sunday roasts at the Swan at Enford ( theswanenford.co.uk ) or a bit further for homemade food at the excellent Red Lion Freehouse at East Chisenbury ( www.redlionfreehouse.com ).

Pass the entrance to the stones and follow the fence round to the north, veering down the faint parallel lines in the grass known as The Avenue. About 100 yards downhill, turn and look back to see the stones silhouetted against the sky.

Park at Woodhenge Car Park near Durrington Walls and walk to Stonehenge across National Trust land. It takes about an hour, at a leisurely pace. Irritatingly, you have to walk past the stones to validate your tickets at the visitor centre, then double back.

Costs/contacts/opening hours

Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7DE (0370 333 1181; english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge ) opens daily 9.30am-7pm (March to September), 9.30am to 6.30pm (September 30 to mid-October) and 9.30am to 5pm (mid October to March). Tickets bought online cost £125.40 for adults aged 16-59, £15 children aged 5-17 (infants free), £22.70 concessions (student card holders or over 65s) and £65.80 families (up to two adults and three children). Booking online saves 15%. Tickets are timed entry. The last admission is two hours before closing time. English Heritage and National Trust members and carers for disabled visitors must book their free tickets in advance.

Firstly, how to get there

Stonehenge is easy to get to! You can take the train to Salisbury Train Station and then take The Stonehenge Tour Bus . You can also take a day trip by bus from London or Bath, it's around 2 ½ hours from London and around an hour from Bath. ‍ ‍ Go to our Directions page for parking information and a post code for sat-nav's. Leave plenty of time at peak summer weekends when roads into the West Country can be busy. Download a map here of the road access and parking. SAT NAV ‍ Postcode: SP4 7DE | Latitude: 51.1831565223 | Longitude: -1.85887471623 Wiltshire County Council also has a guide to travelling to Stonehenge that includes walking and cycling routes, as well as busses and trains.

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How to Visit Stonehenge for Free

While the most direct access to this heritage site will cost you a few quid, there are a few ways to see Stonehenge for free.

But, before we get started, it’s important to note that there are some things at Stonehenge you can’t do for free.

The landmark itself is entirely free to enjoy from afar, but you should plan to spend some money if you want to visit the museum or enjoy a close-up experience.

For more details on museum access and other costs, make sure to read our full post on Stonehenge tickets and discounts .

To be clear, there is absolutely nothing illegal about visiting Stonehenge without paying for a ticket.

There is a heritage trail placed by the government which is free to use and leads directly to the attraction.

The trail runs parallel to the observation path for paid visitors, and it’s only a few dozen metres away.

You can also walk along the main road until you reach a crossroad near the stones where you will have to turn left.

In the video below, Sinead, a Stonehenge tour guide, explains where the free path is.

You will be viewing the landmark from behind a short fence,

But, you can walk right up to it and enjoy almost the exact same view as you would get with a paid ticket.

The main difference in methods for getting there is deciding where you want to start the hike to reach this landmark. 

This post will cover the three best ways to walk to Stonehenge for free, as well as one option that is usually offered during the Summer Solstice event.

If you’d rather have the help of a tour guide, consider reading our post on Stonehenge Tours from London .

Alternatively, if you just need help getting there, you’ll find plenty of helpful information on our post covering how to get from London to Stonehenge .

This post covers the best ways to visit Stonehenge for free.

Walk From the Carpark

Walk from woodhenge.

• Walk From Fargo Road

Visit During Summer Solstice

• Stonehenge Tickets and Discounts

The Visitor Centre Carpark is roughly 1.3 miles (2 km) from Stonehenge.

Most people take the shuttle bus from here to the Stones, but you’ll need a ticket for that. 

If you want to avoid as many costs as possible, consider walking from the car park to Stonehenge.

It might be a bit of a trek, but it’s also a somewhat leisurely walk through the English countryside.

The only cost for this method is the price to park your car, which is just £5.

To reach Stonehenge from the Visitor Centre Carpark, just walk down the road going east until you reach the place where the shuttle bus drops off other visitors.

From here, look for a public access gate to the left.

There is a path that goes around the ticketed area and allows you to get pretty close to the attraction.

This is another popular landmark in the area, and the advantage of Woodhenge is that their carpark is entirely free!

Even if the carpark is full, you can still park alongside Fargo Road.

The only downside to this option is that it’s 2 miles (3.2 km) from Stonehenge, which is a bit further than the other carpark.

Most people will find this hike to the stones takes around 60-90 minutes.

When you factor in the time to walk back as well, that means you should plan to set aside 2-3 hours just to get there and back again.

This is fine if it’s your only plan for the day, but you might want to consider another alternative if this is too much travel time.

One nice thing about walking to Stonehenge from Woodhenge is that you can see an old Kings Barrow (burial site) along the way,

This is another English Heritage site.

Once you’ve taken a good look at Woodhenge, head through the field to the southwest.

You’ll find a gate at the end of the field which lets out onto a path leading west. Follow this path until you reach a crossroad.

At the southwestern corner of this crossroad, you’ll see the Kings Barrow, an English Heritage site.

Keep walking west until you reach a gate at the dead-end road.

From this gate, you should be able to find a path through the field here going southwest.

There is a gate at the end of the field which opens out onto the road just north of the Stonehenge shuttle bus. 

From here, all you have to do is walk south down the road until you reach the path that will allow you to get nice and close to the attraction.

Walk From Fargo Road (Lark Hill)

This option takes much less time than the others, as it’s actually somewhat closer to Stonehenge.

Once again, you won’t have to pay anything for parking, so the entire trek is free.

Starting just south of Lark Hill on Fargo Road, there’s actually a path that leads pretty much directly to Stonehenge.

You can park alongside Fargo Road without any issues.

The walk from your car to Stonehenge will take about 15-30 minutes on average, which makes this one of the shortest paths to the landmark.

Once you’ve found a spot to park on Fargo Road, you’ll need to walk to Willoughby Road and walk south until you reach a more narrow gravel path.

Continue south down this gravel path.

This road should lead directly down to where the Stonehenge shuttle bus drops off its passengers.

There will be a pathway to the left which leads to a viewing location where you can enjoy the attraction.

Stonehenge routinely opens its doors to the public for free annually on June 20th.

If you’re planning to visit during this time period, it won’t cost a thing to come and see the stones as anyone else would.

Needless to say, the most popular times to visit on Summer Solstice is during the sunrise and sunset.

For many people, this is a special time of year to visit the stones.

You’ll typically hear drums all day and night, and there will sometimes be dancing and other fun activities. When the sun comes up, everyone cheers!

If you’re looking for a meaningful experience at Stonehenge, but you want to save some money on tickets, this is probably the best time to visit.

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• How to Get from London to Stonehenge

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Stonehenge – tickets, prices, discounts, tours from London

The mystical Stonehenge is one of the most iconic symbols of English history and culture, captivating tourists because of its mysterious beauty and soothing calm.

The curiosity to understand our past makes this site one of the most popular tourist attractions of London.

In this article, we share everything you need to know before booking your Stonehenge tour tickets.

Top Stonehenge Tickets

# Stonehenge tickets # Stonehenge tours from London # Stonehenge and Bath tour

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What to expect at Stonehenge

Stonehenge, built around 3000 BCE, is not just huge stones standing in circles (as you might think when you see its images).

It is the world’s most famous and significant prehistoric monument.

The massive stones, some weighing 25 tons, showcase the remarkable engineering of its time.

Its purpose remains puzzling, with theories ranging from religious ceremonies to astronomical observations.

Stonehenge Exhibition

Some visitors decide to check out the Stonehenge Exhibition first and then go to the stones, while the others do the opposite – first the stones and finally the Exhibition. 

Stonehenge Exhibition uses a powerful combination of cutting-edge audio-visual experiences and incredible ancient objects to tell the monument’s story. 

Visitors see more than 250 archaeological objects and treasures such as jewelry, pottery, tools, etc., discovered in the landscape.

Image: English-heritage.org.uk

Guests also see the face of a man at Stonehenge 5,500 years ago, a forensic reconstruction based on his bones found near the stones.

Walking to the stones

After learning about the monument and its ancient landscape in the Exhibition, visitors can follow the well-marked route and walk to the stones. 

On the way, you will pass Bronze Age burial mounds and also see numerous interpretation panels across the landscape, which explain the various features seen en route.

Depending on your pace, it will take 25 to 40 minutes to reach the stones. 

The walk from the Visitor Centre to the stone monument and back is approximately 4 km (2.6 miles).

Since much of it through the fields, it helps to wear sturdy shoes and carry water and sunscreen lotion.

If you are visiting with kids or elders and prefer not to walk, you can board the shuttle bus, starting from the Visitor Center and reaching the stones in ten minutes. 

Exploring the stone monument

Once at the 5000-year-old stone monument, you can follow the visitor path, which goes all the way around the stone circle.

At some points, you will be as close as 5 meters (16 feet) from the Stones.

There is plenty of space for visitors to stop, take photos, and enjoy the view along this path.

The general public can’t go beyond the rope fence and walk in between the stones.

Return to Visitor Center

Most visitors board the next available bus to get back to the visitor center. 

Some decide to walk back.

Where to buy tickets

In pic: The front and back of a Stonehenge ticket. Image Source

You can get your Stonehenge entry tickets in person or buy them online, much in advance.

If you plan to get them at the attraction, you must get in the ticketing window queue. 

Depending on the time of the day (and month), you may have to wait in the ticket counter line for 10 to 30 minutes to buy your ticket.

It is important to note that only a small number of the day’s tickets get sold from the ticket counter at the venue.

So the second and better option is to book tickets to London Zoo online.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper because of the exciting discounts.

Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

If you can take care of your transport from London to Stonehenge, go ahead and  book your Stonehenge ticket .

If you need help with transport from London to Stonehenge, it is better to book a tour – check out Stonehenge tours from London .

How do online tickets work

Go to the Stonehenge ticket booking page .

Select the preferred date, time slot, number of tickets and buy the tickets.

Immediately after purchase, your tickets get emailed to you.

You don’t need to take any printouts.

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone and witness the prehistoric wonder.

Stonehenge ticket prices

Stonehenge entrance tickets cost £21 on weekdays and £24 on weekends for all adults between 18 and 64 years.

While kids younger than five years enter for free, children between five and 17 years pay a discounted rate of £13 on weekdays and £14 on weekends for their admission.

Seniors aged 65+ years and students with valid ID also get a small discount on their ticket – their entrance ticket costs only £18 on weekdays and £21 on weekends.

Stonehenge tickets at the venue come with the ticketing window surcharge, making them almost £2 costlier than online tickets (with donations).

Stonehenge family tickets

If you visit Stonehenge as a family, one of the best ways to save money is by opting for the Stonehenge Family ticket.

Family ticket, which includes 2 adults and 2 to 3 children, costs £54 on weekdays and £62 on weekends.

On the ticket booking page, you can choose the type of ticket you want to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Book these tickets ONLY if you can manage the transport from London to Stonehenge yourself. Else, check out the recommended Stonehenge tours from London .

Visual Story : 13 must-know tips before visiting Stonehenge

How to get from London to Stonehenge

Stonehenge is around 144 km (90 miles) from Central London, in the Salisbury Plains of Wiltshire.

Salisbury, located 15 km (9.5 miles) south of Stonehenge, is the nearest large town and offers direct transport links to London.

Image: ChateauDede / Getty

Tourists often plan a one-day trip to the countryside, including a stop at Stonehenge’s mystical stone circle.

Visitors can travel via public transport, book a Stonehenge tour or drive down to the attraction.

By public transport

If you want to travel from London to Stonehenge by public transport, you must go via Salisbury.

South Western Railway trains run from  London Waterloo Station  to Salisbury every thirty minutes from 6.30 am onwards.

After eight stops and 90 minutes, you will reach  Salisbury Station .

Once you get down at the Salisbury Station, you can catch the Stonehenge tour bus, available from just outside the station, to reach the attraction.

The tour bus takes approximately 30 minutes to travel the 14.5 km (9 miles) from the Station to Stonehenge.

Check out  South Western Railway  for the latest train tickets and timings.

Book a Stonehenge package

Stonehenge tour packages from London are the easiest and the cheapest way to visit this heritage site. 

There are different types of tours available from London to Stonehenge.

Some tours take you from London to Stonehenge and back, while others are combo tours, including visits to nearby sites.

If you plan to book a tour  from London to Stonehenge and back , you can decide to leave at 8 am or at 1.30 pm. 

Some tourists opt for the  Stonehenge plus Bath city tour , where after visiting the stone circle, you explore the city of Bath and take a dip in one of the Roman baths.

The most popular combination tours are  Stonehenge and Roman City of Bath  and  Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle .

Drive to the attraction

If you plan to drive, fire up your Google Maps and  follow the directions . 

There is a lot of parking space available at the site, free of charge for ticket holders.

You will not be permitted to park if you haven’t purchased a Stonehenge ticket in advance.

After parking your car, you must walk to the visitor center, from where a 10-minute bus shuttle takes you to the stones. 

Stonehenge opening times

Throughout the year, Stonehenge opens for visitors at 9.30 am, but its closing time changes according to the season.

From April to May, it closes at 7 pm, from June to August at 8 pm, from September to mid-October at 7 pm, and during the winter months of mid-October to March, Stonehenge closes at 5 pm.

The last entry is two hours before closing.

The ancient stone circle remains closed on 24, 25, and 26 December.

Best time to visit Stonehenge

The best time to visit Stonehenge is early in the morning, as soon as the attraction opens for the day or at 3 pm, two hours before they close.

Around 10.30 am, the tour buses start arriving from London, bringing in lots of visitors. 

How long does Stonehenge take?

Most visitors spend two and a half hours exploring the Stonehenge monument and Exhibition. 

Tourists who decide to take the 10-minute bus shuttle from the visitor center to the stone monument and back save approximately an hour and finish their tour in just 90 minutes. 

Visitors can spend as long as they like at the Stone Circle. 

However, the wardens request the tourists to leave 30-45 minutes before the closing time for the day. 

Stonehenge tours from London

Tourists who don’t want the hassle of figuring out the transportation from London to Stonehenge opt for the package tours, including a two-way ride in an air-conditioned coach.

These coaches start twice daily – at 8 am and 10.45 am, and the tour lasts six hours.

These tours don’t have a guide – the coaches only transport you to the attraction and get you back.

The travel time between London and Stonehenge is approximately two hours each way so that you can spend around two hours at the attraction.

GetYourGuide and Tiqets offer this half-day tour from London to Stonehenge for around £64 and £68 per person.

Tiqets offers an additional British experience – while booking your Stonehenge tour, you can also order a fish and chips pub meal, which will be waiting for you when you return.

Stonehenge and Bath tour

Tourists  visiting London  almost always add two attractions outside the city to their itinerary – Stonehenge and the city of Bath.

Most of them try to visit both the attractions on the same day. 

These Stonehenge and Bath tours start at 8.15 am, in an air-conditioned coach, with an audio guide and a tour manager/guide. 

Stonehenge is the first stop, where you appreciate 5,000 years of history and mystery on the open Salisbury plains.

Then you head to head for the city of Bath, which is 61 km (38 miles) from Stonehenge and usually takes an hour to reach.

After a nice local lunch in Bath, you see Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge overlooking the River Avon, the Jane Austen Centre, the Assembly Rooms built in 1771, etc. 

Finally, you explore the 2,000-year-old Roman Baths, the old Roman statues, and the Georgian Pump Room.

By 8 pm, you are back in London.

Stonehenge tours from Bath

Around 5 million day visitors reach the  city of Bath  every year, and more than a million stay overnight.

The primary attraction in the city is the Roman Baths.

Many tourists decide to camp at Bath and then explore the area around.

The main attractions nearby are Stonehenge, an hour’s drive from Bath, and the city of Avebury, which is 39 km (24 miles) north of the stone attraction.

Due to the proximity of these sites, tourists holidaying in Bath often plan a  private trip to Stonehenge  or  both Stonehenge and then Avebury .

Stonehenge combo tours

Some of the tourists prefer to combine their visit to Stonehenge with yet another attraction/activity. 

There are three reasons for the popularity of combo tours –

• Stonehenge takes only two hours to explore
• There is so much to see just outside of London
• Combo tours are a great way to save money (up to 30%)

Tourists willing to stretch their day can combine their visit to Stonehenge with Bath, West Country, Windsor, Oxford, Lacock, Cotswold, Avebury, Winchester, or Glastonbury.

Here is our list of the best combo tours, which include a visit to Stonehenge.

• Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford
• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath
• Lacock, Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge
• Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Salisbury
• Stonehenge, Winchester, and Glastonbury

All these are smartphone tickets. These tickets get emailed to your inbox, and you just show the ticket on your smartphone screen at the attraction.

The London Pass helps you enter more than 60 tourist attractions for free. Save time and money.  Buy London Pass

Visiting Stonehenge for free

Kids two years and below get into Stonehenge for free.

English Heritage and National Trust members can also visit Stonehenge for free. However, they must book their tickets in advance.

If you don’t fall under any of the above categories and still want to visit Stonehenge for free, we have a hack for you.

How to visit Stonehenge for free

While on your way to Stonehenge from London, you will reach a town called Amesbury.

Once there, put in these coordinates on your Google Map – 51°10’33.0″N 1°49’57.5″W. View on Google Map

These coordinates take you to a dirt road which will come on your right-hand side, close to Stonehenge.

Take a right here, find a spot to park your car, and start walking towards the Stonehenge ticket booth.

After crossing the ticketing booth, you must continue walking.

After about 150 meters or so, you will spot a fence that allows you to enter the grasslands on your right.

Enter through this fence and keep walking on the path made on the grass (by many tourists who have walked this path before you), and you will spot Stonehenge to your right. See detailed path

The experience isn’t as fantastic as a ticketed entry, but hey, you wanted to see Stonehenge for free.

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This article was researched & written by

Jamshed V Rajan

He is a two-faced traveler, who enjoys both the hustle-bustle of an urban holiday and the serenity of a break from the rest of the World. During some of his vacations, he is a resort hopper, and on others, he barely spends time in his hotel. He loves to try mouth-watering local cuisines, especially non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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STONEHENGE ENTRY TICKETS

Admission prices & discounts for tickets to stonehenge.

Visit the famous prehistoric site and marvel at the stone circle that was erected thousands of years ago. Stonehenge now has a transformed visitor experience. A new world-class visitor centre, housing museum-quality permanent and temporary exhibitions, plus a spacious shop and café, is now open. Entrance to Stonehenge is managed through timed tickets nd advance booking is strongly recommended. Pre-booking is the only way to guarantee entry on the day and at the time of your choice. Last admission time is 2 hours before the advertised closing time

Visit Stonehenge, Britain’s most important prehistoric monumentLearn about the mystery surrounding Stonehenge in the newly transformed visitor centerSee reconstructed Neolithic houses in the site’s new outdoor gallery There has always been intense debate over quite what purpose Stonehenge served. Certainly, it was the focal point in a landscape filled with prehistoric ceremonial structures, now a World Heritage Site. Your timed admission ticket gives you access to a site that has continued to attract interest for centuries. Today Stonehenge, Avebury, and other associated locations comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a unique and dense concentration of prehistoric monuments. INCLUDES: Stonehenge admission Visitor Center Exhibitions Free digital audio guide (downloadable to your smartphone) Please Note: you cannot reserve tickets on-line on the day of your visit, you must reserve before midnight latest on the day before. Only a very small number of tickets are held back each day for walk-up visitors. Please Note: : the last admission time is two hours before closing time of Stonehenge. Closing times are variable according to month of the year. 2022 STONEHENGE TICKET PRICES Adult£19.50 / £21.10 / £22.80   Child (5-17)£11.70 / £12.70 / £13.70 Students/ seniors*£17.60 / £19.00 Family ticket†£50.70 / £54.90 / £59.30 ‍ Stonehenge timed admission skip-the-line tickets - BOOK NOW AND SAVE TIME AND MONEY BOOK DISCOUNT LONDON TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS HERE Stonehenge is one hundered and fifty kilometers west of central London, in the county of Wiltshire on Salisbury Plain. The nearest town is Amesbury, the nearest public bus stop, three kilometers to the east. It is easier to join a Stonehenge coach tour from London , Salisbury or Bath and if your budget allows book a customised private guided tour of Stonehenge. ‍ Visit our Stonehenge Tour Blog for more facts, history and all the latest Stonehenge news ‍

Please visit our Stonehenge Tour Blog for more facts, history and all the latest Stonehenge news.

- Why visit Stonehenge with us - 10 Reasons to book your Stonehenge Tour - Stonehenge Bucket List - Discount Stonehenge Entry Tickets - Visit Stonehenge independently - Stonehenge Special Access Experience - Stonehenge Summer Solsice Celibrations - Stonehenge and the Druids - Avebury Stone Circle - Beyond Stonehenge. Visit Britain - Stonehenge Guided Walking Tours - Stonehenge News Blog ‍

Bus Timetable

Stonehenge tour times.

We run different timetables at different times of the year, so please check your journey time carefully before you set off.

• Summer Timetable
• Autumn Timetable
• Winter Timetable

Summer Timetable 29/03/2024 - 29/09/2024

Please note that the Salisbury Information Centre will be closed all day on Tuesday 17 September. As such, please purchase your Tour tickets via this website and view our timetable below.

The Information Centre will reopen at 9am on Wednesday 18 September. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this short closure.

Autumn Timetable 30/09/2024 - 20/10/2024

Winter Timetable 21/10/2024 - 30/03/2025

The Route of The Stonehenge Tour

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