Where is Stonehenge located? Find the best way to get there.

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Stonehenge is operated by English Heritage and located near Salisbury on the Salisbury Plain, just off the A303 and two miles west of Amesbury. It isn’t the easiest of attractions to get to from London which is why a lot of tourists will opt for an organised tour. Driving from London to the ancient stone circle can take a couple of hours, but it is definitely worth the time – it just depends on how you want to get there.

Introduction to Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a remarkable prehistoric stone circle set on the sweeping Salisbury Plain in southern England, within the county of Wiltshire. Recognized as one of the most famous landmarks in the world, this ancient monument stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the Neolithic people who built it. The stone circle was constructed in several phases, with the first stage dating back to around 3100 BC, making it one of the oldest and most mysterious monuments in England. As a designated World Heritage Site, Stonehenge draws millions of visitors each year, all eager to experience the awe-inspiring circle of stones and learn about its enduring significance in British history and culture.

Stonehenge Location on a Map of UK

Sat Nav and Postal Address

The address for Stonehenge is: Stonehenge, Salisbury, SP4 7DE so if you are using satnav to get to Stonehenge the post code you need to use us “SP4 7DE”.

What county is Stonehenge in?

Stonehenge is located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles north of the city of Salisbury.

The Closest Main Road

Stonehenge is on the A303, which is a main road so its not easy to stop on the road side to get a longer glimpse of the famous Stones. However, there are laybys you can pull into, or you can pull off into the car park which is a short distance off the A303.

How far are the Stones from Salisbury?

The Stonehenge monument is situated about 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England. Its convenient location makes it easy for visitors to reach the stone circle and explore the wider landscape of surrounding monuments. In addition to Stonehenge, the region is home to other notable sites, such as the Avebury stone circle, located approximately 25 miles (40 km) away. This concentration of ancient monuments in Wiltshire England offers a unique opportunity for those interested in England’s rich archaeological and cultural heritage to discover multiple historic circles and landmarks in one visit.

How far are the Stones it from Salisbury?

It is approximately an 18-minute drive (9.3 miles) from Salisbury to the Stones or just a 20-minute bus journey.

Is there an entry fee?

If you want to get up close to the Stones then there is a fee for entry as it is no longer free to see up close. You can get into the car park for free and see the Stones from a distance, but you will need to purchase a ticket to get up and close to the Stones unless you visit for Summer Solstice.

How much is the tour bus?

There is a tour bus that goes from Salisbury Station to Stonehenge. They run approximately every hour from 10 am until 4:30 pm, and the cost is about £29 for an adult (includes bus and entrance) or £23 for a child (includes bus and entrance fee).

Different ways to get from Salisbury to Stonehenge

By Bus

You have two options for taking a bus from Salisbury, one is by public bus, and the other is by a tour bus. The public bus option involves National Express, and the journey takes approximately 20 minutes and is a reasonable £10 return journey fare. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include entrance fees, and you will also have to pre-book the coach – but with this, coaches go from 6:45 am through till 10:00 pm.

If you want to take the tour bus option, this is approximately £29 for an adult (includes entrance fees and bus) or £23 for a child (includes entrance fees and bus). The available timings for tours like this is from 10 am through till 4:30 pm (approx.).

Walking

You can walk from Salisbury town centre to Stonehenge, it is approximately 9.2 miles, and it is estimated to take approx. Three hours and 5 minutes. There are public footpaths, bridleways and country lanes, and the walk is pretty spectacular with beautiful views of the River Avon and the stunning Wiltshire countryside. The walk can take you past Salisbury Cathedral and up past Old Sarum Castle. There are some fabulous pubs, alongside some of the great cottages and converted mills, all on display. Some people take a walk there and then organise a taxi back to the train station (approx. £20 for a car carrying 4 people).

By Taxi

You can get a taxi from Salisbury Station very quickly, the cost for a standard car that can carry four people is approximately £20. Unfortunately, at present, Uber doesn’t operate in Salisbury, so you will need to call the taxi company on arrival at the station. However, there are often taxi’s there or pre-book.

Is there a car park?

There is a car park at Stonehenge. It is free to park at Stonehenge, although at peak times there is a fee, however it is refundable if you purchase a ticket on the day to Stonehenge.

On-Site Facilities

When you visit Stonehenge, you’ll find a range of on-site facilities provided by English Heritage to make your experience both educational and comfortable. The visitor centre features a world-class exhibition where you can explore the story of the stone circle, see ancient artefacts, and learn about the people who built Stonehenge thousands of years ago. Step inside reconstructed Neolithic houses to get a sense of daily life from 4,000 years ago, or take a closer look at the iconic circle itself. For your convenience, there are food and drink outlets, restrooms, and a well-stocked gift shop offering unique Stonehenge souvenirs. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a first-time visitor, these facilities ensure you get the most out of your time at this extraordinary monument.

Accommodation Options

If you’d like to extend your visit and explore more of Stonehenge and its beautiful surroundings, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit every preference. Nearby Salisbury and Amesbury offer a variety of hotels, charming bed-and-breakfasts, and self-catering apartments. For a unique experience, consider staying at the Stonehenge Lodges, which provide luxurious comfort and stunning countryside views. Budget-conscious travellers can opt for camping or glamping sites, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural landscape that surrounds this ancient wonder. No matter your choice, staying near Stonehenge gives you the perfect base to discover more of Wiltshire’s historic treasures.

Safety and Security

Your safety and security are a top priority when visiting Stonehenge. English Heritage has put comprehensive measures in place, including on-site security staff, CCTV monitoring, and clear signage to guide you safely around the stones and facilities. Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked paths and maintain a respectful distance from the stones to help preserve the monument and ensure everyone’s safety. Accessibility is also a key focus, with wheelchair and mobility scooter hire available to make the site welcoming for all. With these precautions and services, you can enjoy a verification successful waiting experience, knowing that your visit to Stonehenge is both secure and enjoyable.

How did it come to be?

Its location on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire has historical significance linked to its construction phases. Archaeological evidence indicates that the area was occupied as early as 8,000 BCE, with Mesolithic postholes suggesting human activity before the monument’s creation. Early hunter gatherers inhabited the region, engaging in hunting, gathering, and even ceremonial practices unusual for such groups. Pine posts were erected by these early inhabitants for ceremonial purposes, marking the area as a sacred landscape long before the stones were set.

During the Neolithic period, around 3,100 BCE, the first phase of Stonehenge began with the construction of a circular earthwork enclosure. Neolithic farmers later settled in the area, playing a crucial role in the development of the site and its transformation into a monumental complex. This initial phase likely included the use of timber posts and the creation of a circular bank earthwork, which set the foundation for later stone structures. Researchers believe the site was part of a complex ceremonial landscape, including nearby monuments like Woodhenge and Durrington Walls. Cursus monuments, long earthwork enclosures aligned with Stonehenge, further emphasize the ceremonial and astronomical significance of the landscape. These sites highlight the area’s cultural importance in prehistoric Britain, with similarities to other stone circles found across Britain and Scotland, suggesting interconnected ceremonial traditions.

The choice of Salisbury Plain may reflect its proximity to natural resources and its strategic location. Transporting massive large sarsen stones from West Woods and bluestones from West Wales, as well as stones from other regions such as northern Scotland—including the altar stone—required moving materials over long distances. This monumental effort to build Stonehenge demonstrates the organizational skills and determination of its builders. The monument’s construction involved complex logistics and collaboration across distant communities, as evidenced by the presence of distinctive pottery styles that reveal cultural connections throughout Britain. According to Parker Pearson, a leading expert on British prehistory, these efforts reflect the monument’s significance as a unifying religious site and ceremonial center.

By the Bronze Age, Stonehenge had become a focal point for gatherings and rituals. Its location within a wider network of burial mounds and processional routes reinforces its role as a ceremonial hub. The surrounding area served as a burial ground, where human remains have been discovered, highlighting the site’s importance for funerary and ritual activities. Stonehenge’s function extended beyond ceremonies to include ceremonial purposes, religious observances, and possibly astronomical alignments, making it one of the most significant monuments in prehistoric Europe.

How were the Sarsen Stones transported?

Research suggests that the stones were transported from quarries in Wales using a combination of ingenuity and manpower. The smaller ‘bluestones’ likely came from the Preseli Hills, around 150 miles away. It’s believed that ancient builders possibly used sledges and rollers, or dragged the stones over logs. Communities may have also used waterways, transporting the stones on rafts and continuing by land. As for the larger sarsens, found locally on the Marlborough Downs, rolling on logs or dragging over wet land could have eased their journey. These huge stones formed the outer circle of large sarsen stones at Stonehenge, which is a prominent feature of the monument. Erecting the upright stones and standing stones at the site would have been a significant challenge, requiring advanced techniques and coordination.

The early construction phase included the creation of the Aubrey holes, a series of 56 circular features that may have held timber posts or bluestones. Outside the main circle, the heel stone was placed, possibly serving an astronomical purpose. The station stones, including the four station stones, were positioned outside the main monument and may have played a role in the site’s alignment and ceremonial layout.

Over time, some stones fell due to natural weathering, structural instability, or human activity, contributing to the current appearance of Stonehenge.