Stonehendge or Not?

Unless you're in awe of prehistoric structures and they bring tears to your eyes, then I wouldn't bother with it especially since you have such little time. It really depends on what your interests are, though. There's an overwhelming number of great things to see and do in London and Paris and you only have 3 days.

With only 3 days I would skip it. I appreciate it, but really, you spend 15 minutes walking around a field with some giant rocks 50 feet away (you can no longer get close). You'll see so much more in London that you'll forget all about it.

I'm with Catherine and Douglas. And I actually am one of those people who goes utterly ga-ga over prehistoric sites - gets teary-eyed, etc. Since you can no longer enter the circle, especially, I wouldn't bother with trying to jam in a trip to Stonehenge in just 3 days. You will have PUH-lenty to do without it!

If you've always wanted to see it and don't, you'll probably kick yourself in the tail until the end of days. Make a rank-order list. See where it falls. I don't know how you get out there by public transportation, but it's at least a two-hour drive each way from central London. If I had to rank it with other standing stones, it wouldn't be real high on the list.

Thanks Everyone! As far as interests... We just want to get the most for our time there. We are staying at the Royal Horseguards, it is our first trip abroad.. We love good food, a good pub preferably one that is not so touristy and I guess the usual stuff. Thoughts on good local food, Seafood.... and do you have any thoughts on the R Horseguards? We had a travel Agent Book it... Their suggestion, so I was wondering if it gets good reviews? Thanks again....RC

I am one of those who consider Stonehenge a special place- have been going there over 40 years, and keep on going back. If you have a deep desire , then do it (unless you can get back there within a few years). Especially if you can combine it with Salisbury and Avebury. But with only three days , you will find so much to do in London, for the average person its probably lower on the priority list

I agree with skipping Stonehenge for now...I've been there twice...once when I was very young I got to go among the stones...last time with my husband we had to look from afar...so it was quite a let down; especially with the highway right by it. I wouldn't expect much from any Seafood you would have while in England. They seem to still batter fry everything. Although I do like their Fish and Chips once in a while... I admit to being prejudice since I can catch fresh Dungeness Crabs off my own beach. Next time you go to UK...try to do 3 weeks so you can drive everywhere you want.
Bon Voyage!

Having been to Stonehenge a couple of times as well as Avebury, I have to say that Avebury is much better as you can actually walk among the stones in Avebury (I even have a picture of my parents sitting in a niche in one of those stones). Stonehenge is very touristy now and you are no longer permitted to get near them. With only 3 days, there are more places than you can shake a stick at to spend your limited time. As for the Royal Horse Guards, I stayed there many years ago and enjoyed it. The location is outstanding. Check on tripadvisor.com for reviews as well as recommendations for restaurants/pubs. TA rarely steers me wrong.

With your limited time, I'd skip it. And, as Rick says, always go with the idea that you will be back. You can see it on the next trip to England.

Thanks for all the replys. We will enjoy seafood in Ireland instead. Cheers rc

I love Stonehenge and think its always worth a visit...unless you only have 3 days. Avebury is lovely (watch where you step) but does not compare. Access to the stone circle ceased in 1978. To us old foggies that may seem like yesterday, but to the young foggies it's a lifetime ago.
Ditto to what John said. You will be back.

From the time I was a young child, I saw pictures of Stonhenge and always wanted to see it. So, when I finally got there, it was a very special experience. I've seen it 2 additional times since then when we took friends. However, as special as it was to me, if I only had 3 days I would not put that at the top of my list.

Reid - for pubs and restaurants, there's another current thread here, "Restaurants in London, " with some good suggestions (including mine).

I had three days in London which was plenty of time for me to get out to Stonehenge. I wouldn't skip it if you may never get the chance to go again. Even just seeing the giant burial mounds along the way was cool...to me.

I have my framed photograph of Stonehenge on my wall. It wasn't easy to get a shot without other tourists in it. Much as I like the place, I agree that you should not rush through your London visit. It would make more sense to come another time when you can visit both Salisbury AND Aviemore on the same day. I took the train to Salisbury, then the green double decker tourist bus to Stonehenge. After 20-30 minutes the bus returned. We had 30 minutes to wait until the return train to London, so I strolled over to Salisbury Cathedral in time for evensong. I noticed a sign advertising a small basement museum for 50p so checked it out. I was the only visitor. The room was maybe 20x30 with glass cases holding a silver chalice, a sword. When I backed up to get a better view I leaned against a case, then turned to see what I was bumping. I was leaning on the Magna Carta! Oops. Nobody saw. The whole train trip to and from Salisbury took from noon to 6 pm.

I think if it is one of those sights you really want to see then you should do it. When I travel I try to return home with 'no regrets.' And I have to take issue with Ricks idea to 'assume you will return.' That may hold true for lots people on this site, but there are millions who have made a once in a lifetime trip to Europe and either money or life got in the way and they could not return. If it were my choice to spend all the money to return to see Stonehendge because I missed it or travel to a completely new destination...I would choose somewhere new. Get a few hours less sleep and just go see it.

Terry brings up a point I never thought of. I'm such an Anglophyle I never thought I might want to go someplace else and not get back to the UK.

@Laurel...I also love returning to places I have been, but I try to add someplace new as often as I can.... I really never tire of exploring someplace I have never been! Too many more countries to see!

Thanks for the great tips.... I will decide when I get there. Right now I am just like a kid in a candy store with all that I could do. I know what will happen.... When I get there, our itinerary will change... Always happens. Thanks again!.. RC

Reid, I think you should go if you don't you will probably regret it after getting home. It's worth the time.