I will be in Europe for 3 years and would love to see Stonehenge. Since I can plan the trip for any time, any opinions out there on the best time of year to go? And why? Would prefer fewer crowds if possible, but as it's Stonehenge it seems unlikely any time. Thanks.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
83 posts
Hi Nancie, I was at Stonehenge June 20 2007 and although there were quite a few people but not jam packed and I was actually able to get quite a few pics of the henge without humans in them. With the Summer solctice (sp) they allow people to enter around 9 pm to stay overnight (no sleeping bags, no tents, no fires) but the sun doesn't go down till 10 or after and it is back up at 4 am so it's not that long to suffer the elements. I chose not to attend at that time as some already stated I don't like crowds and guides were saying they expected 10,000 people. To visit when there aren't as many people I would certainly think the winter months and early spring would be possibilities. I was really disappointed there was no info in the headsets or any signage mentioning the ley lines and other mystical info and I have to admit although I am open to it I felt no spiritual feelings or mystical insight during my visit. Maybe I'm just not sensitive enough, but it was still an amazing sight to come over the hill and see a valley down below you and vaguely see the henge in the distance, that's what struck me and what I'll always remember. Congratulations on being in Europe for 3 years, you will have a lot of opportuinity to visit countries rather inexpensively (i.e. you don't have to spend over $1000 for a flight)and I'm sure you will take full advantage. Enjoy, think about keeping a journal as I do when I make trips and I enjoy reading them on occassion and re-enjoying my trip all over again. Happy travels. Pam
Posted by
San Geronimo
22 posts
I am not into crowds, myself but in the case of Stonehenge you might make an exception.Because most of the time the monument is chained off and you can only view it from a distance,there's something to be said for going on Summer Solstice when it is open to the public and the Druids walk through in ceremonial robes.Check the calendar . I think the Solstice falls on June 21 or 22.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
If you are interested in stone circles and will be in Europe for three years, you might want to consider a trip to either Orkney or Lewis in Scotland. The Ring of Brogdar is in Orkney and the Callianish Stones are on Lewis. I've not made it to Stonehenge and hope to someday, but I've visited both of these circles and you can walk right up to the stones. There are no crowds. Both places are wonderful and a bit magical.
Posted by
London
291 posts
The summer solstice is not the time to go if you want to avoid crowds, this year there were 30,000 people there at sunrise.
If you are really interested in Stonehenge the best option is to get a Special Access slot. These are outside normal opening hours and a maximum of 25 people are allowed on the monument. This is the only time that you can walk among and touch the stones too. A very early morning one around dawn is probably best for atmosphere.
There were over 1,000 henges built in the British Isles. I would recommend you precede your visit to Avebury henge about 20 miles north from Stonehenge. Completely uncommercialised and bigger than Stonehenge it has completely open access at all times, you just have to watch where you are walking as sheep are used as lawnmowers.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Except for the solstices (or whatever the plural of solstice is), you will avoid most of the crowds by arriving first thing. The bus tours don't really take over until at least mid-morning.
It's possible that late also works but I haven't tried it.
If you have to be there in the middle of the day, most bus tours wouldn't skip lunch to watch a total solar eclipse. So lunch time may not be bad.
The crowds will be relatively lighter in the off-season.
Posted by
OP
Wiesbaden
53 posts
Thank you everyone for the great suggestions.
Posted by
London
6 posts
The very best thing to do is to book a 'special access' tour (or 'do it yourself’ using the form you can get on the site below). Special access means you get inside the stone circle with a few other people only, but you can only do this early mornings or evening , summer (outside normal opening times). Avoid the summer solstice it’s a crowded hectic nonsense, and anyway Stonehenge was designed to face the midwinter sunset not mid summer sunrise!
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.878