During my trip to London, I was able to sneak in a trip to Stonehenge. I am so glad I made this a priority. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's located in the countryside of Wiltshire, England. There has always been mystery surrounding the stones and how they got there and how they were raised in such a time where machinery was not available. Also there are discrepancies between who we believe built them and why. We do know a few things about Stonehenge though.
What We Know
1) Archaeologist have discovered that they were constructed around 3100BC and 1100 BC
2) Gerald S. Hawkins and other astronomers believed that the stones were used to predict astronomical events but many have discredited this theory due to incomplete data
3) There have been human remains found around the sight making archaeologists think it was used as a holy or burial grounds
4) The original layout of the stones has been modified by ancient Britons
5) Currently the land is actually owned by 3 different owners. This creates issue when decisions about renovations need to be done
During our trip, we left from Windsor Castle and hopped back on the bus. I'm glad we were nice and cozy during our hour long bus ride through the English countryside because the weather was at its worst. The winds were very fast and it was of course raining. Stonehenge has undergone a lot of renovations to the actual tourism aspect of it. They added a building where you buy tickets that is a far walk from the site and then you have to actually drive to another site to get in line for a bus that takes you to Stonehenge. The idea was to not have a bunch of buildings and people near the exact site taking away from the view. Also, England has been very consciencious about keeping things at their natural beauty. On a warm day you could walk a half hour to the site, but on a day like to this, the bus was the only option.
Once we actually got to the site I didn't want to take out my nice camera so I snapped a few shots with my iPhone, took in the beauty for about 5 minutes and then had to head back on the bus much like everyone else. But it was worth it. I mean look how beautiful this is!
Once you get back to the site where the buses take off there is a gift shop and a small museum. I think the picture above shows a replica of one of the stones and how the ancients possibly raised them. This was a once in a lifetime place to visit and I'm so glad I did.
Planning a trip to Stonehenge? You can go as part of a tour like I did (which is the easy way because it's in the middle of nowhere) or go here.
Last Stop: The Roman Baths in Bath, England
There are three previous stops on this trip:
London (Day1)|London (Day 2)|Windsor Castle
Is Stonehenge on your travel list? Do you have your own theories?
Linking up at:
I'm so fascinated with the Stonehenge... so cool that you got to see it!!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a place I want to visit, love visiting sites with so much history behind them!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a place I want to visit, love visiting sites with so much history behind them!
ReplyDeleteStonehenge always fascinates me, Your pictures are beautiful, thanks for the info too! I am your newest follower, hope you can visit me and do the same,
ReplyDeleteThanks for following. I didn't find a website for you to take a look at.
DeleteI'm glad you posted about Stonehenge. Twenty years ago we were there. We still talk about how isolated and non-commercial it was. Interesting sidenote: my parents had been there ten years before us, so thirty years ago. They were able to walk up to the stones and touch them. When we were there, they were roped off.
ReplyDeleteWow, yea it would have been nice to really get up close and walk between the stones but I see why they are roping them off now. I wonder if you could sneak in at night. Not sure if they have some sort of surveillance system.
Deletei loved Stonehenge, and I'm thankful my pics came out clearly in those pre digital camera days. I loved bath, too, can't wait to see your pics. of course I've got one of me reaching my hand into the water, lol.
ReplyDeleteHaha sneaky sneaky!
DeleteIt was SOOOO cold when we went, and super windy! Bath was our last stop too! I can't wait to see your post. :)
ReplyDeleteLuckily we were there on a beautiful sunny day. During the UK "heat wave" this summer. I have to make a post about it too. I am sooooooo behind :-(. So all of these pics were taken by iPhone? They look great!
ReplyDeleteYep they were all taken on my old iPhone 4 lol. The weather was terrible to take out my camera. I was trying not to blow away. The tour guide was calling Stonehenge the umbrella graveyard. It's true. I haven't gotten to experience a sunny day in England yet. lol
DeleteI had no idea that the land is owned by 3 different parties - interesting! I've read mixed reviews about Stonehenge. My brother visited last year and admitted that he was underwhelmed. But as you said, it's one of those once in a lifetime types of experiences that are, in fact, worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI could see how people could be underwhelmed, I mean you can't do much else but look, but I think you have to think about the history and appreciate the things we don't completely understand.
DeleteThat is so beautiful... One day I shall do that as well ;) But I promise to take the camera out. Even though the pictures will not be as pretty as yours ;)
ReplyDeleteYours truly,
The LadyBug
I did not make it to Stonehenge. But, I look forward to The Roman Baths. That was one of my favorite sites on our visit to England.
ReplyDeleteHow weird it's already changed since I went then! We parked in a carpark/field near some buildings where we got tickets, and walked under the road through a tunnel to get to Stonehenge.
ReplyDeleteYea, you can walk (its like a half hour walk) on a nice day, but when the weather is bad like in our case, they have buses.
DeleteAwesome pictures! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful! Hope I get to visit someday!
ReplyDeleteAllthatsglittered.blogspot.com
Hi Brittany, thanks so very much for the sweet comment you left on my blog Little Brags on the loss of our Newfoundland Brucie. I wanted to reply directly to the comment but you came up as a non reply blogger. I see you live in Germany...my home....will be back to visit this summer. I follow you now. xoxoxo Christine
ReplyDeleteNo problem Christine. I've always thought about getting a Newfie. He looked like a good boy. I thought I fixed the no reply blogger thing a while ago. I've heard that it reverts to it's old settings sometimes...
Deletewhat bliss
ReplyDeleteStonehenge is on my
bucket list for sure
would love for you to share
at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
It's quite a landmark thing to be able to stand in front of, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteThe bus from the ticket office is a rather weird new addition...
Well I think I was a little unclear, I mean we took our bus from the ticket office to the line. And then you take a bus from there to the site.
DeleteI had no idea that the ancient Britons modified the original layout. I'd love to visit Stonehenge myself someday. Hopefully the weather will be better.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you thought it was worth it, even in the frigid temps. We're considering it for our trip to London this year, so I'm bookmarking your link....so thanks for that! ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Stonehenge! It's so mysterious and amazing how they were able to create something so long ago that is still standing today. I'm visiting via Treasure Tromp and so glad I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this and have wanted to see it in person! Cute pictures too :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deanna!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! As someone who was born and lived in Germany till she was 4 years old before moving to the U.S. your blog fascinates me. Following you from here on out!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos...
ReplyDeleteto actually be able to visit there...how wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why but Stonehenge is always been a place I've always found interesting and would like to visit if I ever make it to the U.K.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely pictures and the information.
Denise
Stonehenge! Wow! It was one of my places to go. You're right about all the stories connected to them. I'm a huge fan and believer of King Arthur and Merlin. So my favourite story is that Merlin transported them by magic from northern Ireland, across the Irish Sea down into Wiltshire. It is said to have been used by Druids as a holy place. Druids were big on using human sacrifices. When I was there, there was no gift shop, nothing like that. You parked and then walked up the hill to Stonehenge itself. I wanted to touch one of the stones. I had no idea that it was fenced off. I understand why but I was so disappointed. At the time there was no there but me and I tried to get one of the guards to take me and just let me touch it but it didn't happen. But overall it was everything I had wanted it to be.
ReplyDeleteAfter I left Stonehenge I went down to Winchester to see the cathedral singing that silly song all day. Winchester always has been and still is an army town. Part of the old fort or whatever is still there and in one of the main room is King Arther's Round Table (supposedly). Fun place!
Thanks for helping bring my memories back.
Cathy
I wanted to touch them too, or at least get to walk around the other side. But it was so windy and rainy anyways that we were just worried about getting in a few pictures. Great story btw. I've read that the Druids used it as a burial ground, didn't hear about the human sacrifices, but they have found remains near there, so one of those stories has to be true ;)
DeleteI'd love to see it someday. Really love that photo beneath the black and white one, I think I see a faint rainbow in there? Thanks so much for linking this to the History & Home Link Party! We love this stuff! - Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn. I'd love to say I saw a rainbow there but in reality it's just probably the contrast in the photo.
Deletehey there!
ReplyDeleteyou've been featured
at Fridays Unfolded this week!
Alison
Nancherrow
Ah yes! I have been when I was very little but we have not made it there yet with the family. I am looking foward to getting there with the boys. Great pics Brittany! x
ReplyDeleteI loved Stonehenge when I visited. Such mystery surrounding it. I was lucky and got a blue skied, sunny day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I recently discovered how to take a guided tour allowing you into the center of Stonehenge. I'm hoping to do that sometime this year!
ReplyDelete