The Stone Circle Experience at Stonehenge

Why it is on the list

Stonehenge has been a scheduled monument since 1882 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986; English Heritage manages it for the Crown Estate.¹ In public hours visitors stay outside the circle; the inside is kept for these sessions, held early in the morning or in the evening.² A session lasts an hour and takes 52 people at most, split into two groups of 26 at the stones. Each group is taken through the circle and out across the landscape to the Slaughter Stone and the Heel Stone.²

It is the wrong choice in October and November, when there are no sessions, and for anyone who wants to touch the stones: nobody may touch, lean on, stand on or climb them.²³ Heavy rain or snow can restrict access to the circle or cancel the visit.³

How to get it

Book through English Heritage's Stone Circle Experience page. Dates run to March 2027. Adults pay from £70, children aged 5 to 17 from £40, and under-5s go free.² For the circle to yourselves, call 0370 333 1181 and ask for a private booking: the whole session is reserved for one party. A private booking that falls short is charged for 30 adult tickets.²³

A party of 14 or fewer pays in full within 7 days of booking. A party of 15 or more pays a non-refundable 50% deposit when booking and the balance a month before the visit. Nothing is refunded, and no changes are accepted within a month of the date.³ Salisbury station, with trains from London, is 12 miles away; taxis wait there. Drivers can use the visitor car park outside public hours by showing the booking.² Be at the visitor centre 10 minutes before the start for the shuttle bus to the stones. For an evening session arrive an hour before the site closes: by 4pm when it closes at 5pm, by 5pm when it closes at 6pm.²

Discretion

Sessions fall outside public opening hours, so the site is quiet.² A shared session can hold up to 52 people; a private booking keeps the circle for one party.² Photographs and short videos for personal use are allowed. Commercial photography or filming needs English Heritage's written permission. Large bags, glass and drones over the monument are not allowed, and nobody may eat, drink or smoke in the circle, the monument field or the shuttle.³