Stone Henge "Special Access Tours"

We were able to get up close to Stonehenge before they changed everything.

Personally, I was way more impressed with Avebury. No lines, no crowds, you can touch the stones, and we got a better feel to the whole place.

Stonehenge IS neat (we were there on cloudy, moody days), but we liked Avebury better.

Do you mean this Stone Circle Access opportunity, for which you pay £21 instead of 14 per person, and have to apply in advance? The minimal cost increase seems worthwhile if you have your own car for out-of-hours access. Guided tours for £93 include transportation from Salisbury and the service of a guide.

My personal memories of Stonehenge are rather out of date for you, eg the guidebook which I still have somewhere cost 3/6 (17.5p). Yes you had completely free access to the stones back then but there were no facilities beyond a small shop and some lavatories and a few notice boards. You also didn't get the mass crowds though.

From what a friend has told me though as a recent visitor the overall quality of experience there is very much better now than it was only a few years ago mainly because of the new centre. Access up close to the stones is probably worth it to complete the personal experience especially because of the semi private nature of a low number of people.

We did the Inside the Circle tour and its worth it. they turn you loose with about 20 folks and you can walk about and explore as much as you want, we arrived prior to sunrise and were able to shoot some fantastic pics along with feeling some of the aura that it generates.

I really enjoyed Stonehenge when we were there the summer before last. This was before the new center was open. We bought the English Heritage booklet and went through it slowly. We got there close to the opening time so the crowds weren't bad. I thought it was definitely worth it. I'm sure it is better now. I was surprised how much I liked it. I thought the crowds would get to me but it's a big area and crowds were not an issue.

I also enjoyed Avebury. They're quite different.

I loved my one visit to Stonehenge years ago, Was in November. Ominous dark grey clouds with sunlight peeking through. GREAT images on film that day. Yes film. Took an early train from London then a bus to the site. Maybe 10 people on the bus. Got our audio paddles to hold to our ears and in we went. Literally no one there so took our sweet time. At one point as I was lingering and listening to the audio explanation of things I noticed 5 people dressed head to toe in white about a hundred yards ahead of me. The outfits looked like what Hazmat crews wear and I remember thinking "Cleaning crew?!!!??" No sooner than that inane thought passed through my brain they all stepped over the the rope guard and moved quietly toward the stone circle. Literally from out of nowhere, (honestly I have NO clue where they came from) two men in olive green garb jumped over the rope guard and ran toward these 5 people. The men in green were talking into walkie talkie mics on their shoulders. As I watched this whole drama play out I was utterly impressed how the two men in green were able to slowly start herding these five away from the circle, back over the rope guard and onto the path. No raised voices, no confrontation, no pushing, shoving, no weapons ( we yanks always assume there will be weapons). All very civilized. For fans of the Mary Tyler Moore show it was reminiscent of the group hug in the last episode when Mary needed a kleenex. (For those with no clue look it up on YouTube) As I walked by the group I over heard one person in white comment, "but it was our time to go into the light." One of my fondest memories of my many trips to the UK. Cue the XFiles theme.

We did the after-hours access in June 2013, and it was a highlight of our two-week trip. It was our first visit to Stonehenge, and it was quite awesome, literally. Avebury is also very cool, but it's almost like comparing apples to oranges. Seeing those stones rising in the distance is a breathtaking experience. If you have any interest in Stonehenge and its history, you'll glad you got the Special Access.

There are no formal guides or staff, except the security guards, who make sure no one touches the stones. But they're very knowledgeable, and will be glad to give you an unofficial tour.

You have to reserve several months in advance. I think I booked in February for our visit in June, and we didn't get our first choice time slot. (Actually, it turned out great anyway--we were there from 8:30-9:30pm, which in June is sunset. It was a spectacular sight, watching the sun set between the stones.)

I hear the new visitor center is very good.

Thanks to all for your replies. Leslie…I had not heard of Avebury and will read up on it - thank you.
Laura…I was not familiar with the inside access direct through the heritage. I had been looking up 'special access' tours with Salisbury-Stonehenge Tours. By the time I calculated the train costs and the 'special access tour cost…it came to over $200. I then thought—this may not be worth it. I could get an "Express Stonehenge" direct from London I think through Evans-Evans for about $44 (bus-no tour guide). We won't have our own car. So if there are other ways to get out there economically, let me know! Thanks again.