The Stonehenge Site: What Can You See?

HomeThe Stonehenge Site: What Can You See?

What exactly does a visit to the world-renowned Stonehenge monument include? On this page, you will find a detailed overview of the various areas of the site that can be explored with a valid admission ticket.

A visit to Stonehenge offers far more than a glimpse of the iconic stone circle. In addition to access to the central monument zone, your ticket also includes entry to a state-of-the-art visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, authentic reconstructions of Neolithic dwellings, a convenient shuttle service, and extensive walking paths through the surrounding cultural landscape.

To help you prepare for your visit, we outline below the key locations and highlights that form part of the Stonehenge site.

What Does Your Ticket Include?

Your admission ticket grants you access to all key areas of the Stonehenge site as described on this page:

Access to the circular walking route around the stone circle
Entry to the modern visitor centre with permanent exhibition
Access to the reconstructed Neolithic houses
Use of the shuttle service between the visitor centre and the monument
Complimentary audio guide (via app or loan device; available in multiple languages)
Access to the surrounding landscape, including marked walking trails

Book Your Stonehenge Ticket

The Stone Circle

The stone circle at Stonehenge lies at the very heart of the site and is regarded as the most significant prehistoric monument in Britain.

Stonehenge

With a valid ticket, visitors may follow a designated path that brings them close to the stones, offering various vantage points for viewing and photography.

Please note that standard tickets do not include access to the interior of the stone circle. Due to conservation requirements, access to the Inner Circle is available only as part of special access visits held outside standard opening hours.

The monument is located approximately 30 minutes on foot from the visitor centre, or it may be reached via a regular shuttle bus service, which is included in your admission.

Along the route, informative panels provide background on the history, construction, and potential meaning of the monument. A complimentary audio guide is available in several languages via the official app or as a loan device from the visitor centre.

The Visitor Centre

Opened in 2013, the Stonehenge Visitor Centre serves as the main starting point for your tour and combines contemporary architecture with the functions of a cultural exhibition space. Designed by the architectural firm Denton Corker Marshall, the building was deliberately conceived with a light, low-impact aesthetic: a floating canopy roof supported by slender steel columns shelters two single-storey pavilions that blend sensitively into the open landscape of Salisbury Plain.

Inside, the permanent exhibition provides in-depth insights into the history, construction and significance of the monument, based on the latest archaeological research.

Highlights of the Visitor Centre:

Permanent exhibition featuring original artefacts: tools, pottery, jewellery and human remains
360° projection: a virtual time-lapse experience of Stonehenge across different seasons and times of day
Interactive displays with films, maps and models
Reconstructed Neolithic houses located in the outdoor area, directly adjacent to the centre

Additional facilities:

A café with indoor and outdoor seating
A gift shop offering books, replicas and locally themed souvenirs
Toilets, including accessible facilities
The starting point for the shuttle service to the stone circle

The Neolithic Houses

Located directly adjacent to the visitor centre is a small cluster of reconstructed Neolithic houses, built faithfully according to archaeological evidence. These dwellings offer a vivid impression of everyday life as it may have been lived by the communities who inhabited the region around 2,500 BC – the time when Stonehenge was built.

The reconstructions are based on findings from Durrington Walls, a settlement located approximately 3 kilometres north-east of Stonehenge. It is believed to have been inhabited by the very people involved in the construction of the monument.

Archaeologists uncovered the remains of numerous circular huts there, including postholes, clay-rendered wattle walls and hearths. These discoveries formed the basis for today’s reconstructions.

Each house features a circular floor plan, walls made of woven willow covered with daub, and a conical thatched roof. Inside, the huts are furnished with typical items from the Neolithic period, such as beds made from animal hides, clay pots, quern stones, replica tools and simple wooden furniture.

Visitors are welcome to enter the houses and explore them freely. Depending on the time of year, trained heritage interpreters may be present to answer questions or demonstrate traditional skills such as house-building, food preparation or toolmaking.

These Neolithic houses complement the indoor exhibition by adding a tangible, immersive dimension to the Stonehenge experience – especially valuable for families and school groups seeking to understand the daily life of its earliest inhabitants.

💡 Did You Know?

🪨 The largest stones at Stonehenge – known as sarsen stones – each weigh up to 25 tonnes. How they were transported without modern machinery remains a subject of ongoing research.

🧭 Stonehenge is aligned so that the sun rises directly above the Heel Stone during the summer solstice – a striking indication of advanced astronomical knowledge over 4,000 years ago.

🧬 Human remains found near Stonehenge have been traced to the Alpine region, providing evidence of far-reaching connections in Neolithic Europe.

🎥 Stonehenge has featured in numerous films and documentaries, and famously inspired the parody scene in the cult classic Spinal Tap.

Shuttle Service & Walking Route

The stone circle is located approximately two kilometres from the visitor centre and cannot be accessed directly by private vehicle. For your convenience, a shuttle service is included in the ticket price.

Alternatively, visitors may choose to walk the route – an excellent way to experience the wider cultural landscape surrounding Stonehenge.

Shuttle Service at a Glance:

Journey time: approx. 10 minutes
Frequency: every 5–10 minutes (depending on visitor volume)
Accessibility: suitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
Departure: directly from the visitor centre
Arrival: near the stone circle

Alternatively: A Scenic Walk Through the Landscape

Approx. 25–30 minutes on foot
Clearly signposted route with open views of the monument
Particularly scenic at sunrise or sunset

On Site at the Stone Circle

Access via a designated circular pathway
Information panels along the route explain the monument’s construction, alignment and historical context
Ideal in combination with the audio guide (see next section)

Audio Guide and App

Stonehenge Audioguide

For a more in-depth and personalised visitor experience, a multilingual audio guide is available and included in the ticket price. The guide offers detailed background information on the history, architecture and cultural significance of Stonehenge, alongside commentary on the key points along the visitor route.

The audio guide is available in two formats:

As a loan device from the visitor centre (subject to availability)
As a free mobile app for smartphones, which can be downloaded prior to your visit

The app is available for both iOS and Android and includes:

Audio commentary for over 30 points around the monument and wider site
Detailed maps for orientation on site
Background texts and images relating to the exhibition
Optional content designed for children and school groups

Languages available include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese and Russian.

We recommend bringing your own headphones if you plan to use the app on your own device. Where possible, please download the content in advance via Wi-Fi, as mobile network coverage at the site can be limited.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Stonehenge Site

Is there a picnic area on site?

Yes, there are several picnic benches and outdoor seating areas available near the visitor centre. These may be used by all guests. Along the walking path to the stone circle, you will also find occasional rest areas with scenic views of the landscape.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. However, open fires and barbecues are strictly prohibited. Please help us keep the site clean by using the waste bins provided. In poor weather conditions, we recommend using the café at the visitor centre.

Is Stonehenge suitable for families with children?

Absolutely – Stonehenge is a family-friendly destination with offerings suitable for visitors of all ages. Children can explore the reconstructed Neolithic houses, engage with interactive elements in the exhibition, and enjoy a child-friendly version of the audio guide.

During school holidays, English Heritage regularly offers family activities, hands-on experiences and guided tours. Pushchairs are permitted in the visitor centre and on paved pathways. Please note that the open landscape around the stone circle may not be suitable for all pushchairs.

Are there toilets and baby-changing facilities?

Yes, modern toilet facilities are available at the visitor centre, including accessible WCs and baby-changing stations for families with young children. The facilities are located in the main building near the café and gift shop, and are accessible before and after your visit to the stone circle.

Please note that there are currently no toilet facilities located directly at the monument itself. We recommend planning your visit accordingly, particularly if you choose to walk from the visitor centre.

Is the site accessible for visitors with limited mobility?

Stonehenge is largely accessible. The visitor centre, exhibition, shop and café are all on one level. The shuttle bus to the stone circle is wheelchair-accessible, as is the main paved path around the monument.

An accessible version of the audio guide is available, and accessible toilet facilities are provided. Please note that some areas of the landscape near the stone circle are uneven and may be difficult to navigate in adverse weather. If you have specific access requirements, we recommend contacting the visitor services team in advance.

May I bring my dog to Stonehenge?

Pets – including dogs – are not permitted anywhere on the Stonehenge site, including the visitor centre and the path around the stone circle. An exception is made for assistance dogs, provided they are clearly identified and trained for the role.

Please do not leave pets in your vehicle, as the car park does not offer shaded areas or facilities for animal care. We recommend making alternative arrangements in advance if you are travelling with a dog.

Still have questions?

You’ll find answers to many additional practical topics – including tickets, opening times, travel options and special access visits – on our dedicated FAQ page.

Go to the Stonehenge FAQ