Places to go > Southwest England > Stonehenge < Landmarks < Things to do

Landmarks & Monuments: Ardboe High Cross, N. Ireland Beaghmore Stone Circles, N. Ireland Boa Island Figures, N. Ireland Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber, Wales Caerleon Roman Fortress, Wales Capel Garmon Burial Chamber, Wales Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, N. Ireland Chysauster Ancient Village Devenish Monastic Site, N. Ireland Dolaucothi Gold Mine, Wales The Eden Project, England Giant's Causeway, N. Ireland Giant's Ring, N. Ireland Legananny Dolmen, N. Ireland Marble Arch Caves, N. Ireland Navan Fort, N. Ireland Nendrum Monastic Site, N. Ireland Ossian's Grave, N. Ireland Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, Wales Scottish Parliament, Scotland Segontium Roman Fort, Wales Stonehenge, Southwest England Tre'r Ceiri Hillfort, Wales ................................................. _________________________________

Southwest England attractions: Abbey House Gardens Bodmin and Wenford Railway British Empire Museum Chysauster Ancient Village Dunster Castle The Eden Project Glastonbury Abbey Stonehenge ................................................. _________________________________

Stonehenge Nr. West Amesbury, England, UK

	Stonehenge, England © Stephen Wilkinson

The impressive construction of Stonehenge is thought to have begun five thousand years ago. However, the huge stones that we see today were probably not erected until 1500 BC.

The landmark consists of an inner 'horseshoe' of bluestones that are considered to have originated from the Preseli Mountains, South Wales - over 200 miles away. This inner horseshoe is surrounded by the more recognisable Sarsen stones - rock cut from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles away. Incredibly, some of these

Stonehenge, England © Stephen Wilkinson

stones are thought to be over 50 tons in weight, requiring several hundred people to ensure their successful transit. Although Stonehenge may have been constructed as a celebration of the summer solstice - the longest day of the year, nobody really knows its real original purpose and meaning.

Present day, there is limited access to the stones themselves as conservation of the landmark has been given priority. Access is available on the path around the outside of the external stone circle. At the time of writing there is disagreement over the proposal of additional roads in the area. The government have announced a review of roads near Stonehenge and environmentalists are 'up in arms' over how it may affect the local heritage.

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UK Landmarks & Monuments in our Historical monument section:

Ardboe High Cross
Beaghmore Stone Circles
Boa Island Figures
Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
Caerleon Roman Fortress
Capel Garmon Burial Chamber
Carrick a Rede Bridge
Chysauster Ancient Village
Devenish Monastic Site
Dolaucothi Gold Mine
Eden Project
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Ring
Legananny Dolmen
Marble Arch Caves
Navan Fort
Nendrum Monastic Site
Ossian's Grave
Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
Scottish Parliament Building
Segontium Roman Fort
Stonehenge
Tre'r Ceiri Hill fort

Other England travel related links:

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England tour
Holiday cottage England
England hostel