If you’re interested in planning a visit to the iconic stone circle, then you’ll need to consider some very important things. Here are a few tips that will help you plan your trip and make sure it’s as enjoyable as possible.
You’ll Need To Know Why You Want To Visit
Before you even think about going on any Stonehenge tours or visits, you should have a good idea of why you want to go there. If you’re just looking for an adventure with a bunch of like-minded people with similar interests, then you can’t really go wrong. But if you want to see something special or get a deeper appreciation of this ancient monument, then there are many things you should keep in mind when planning your visit.
The first thing you should do is figure out how long you’ll be there. How much time you have depends on what you plan to do while you’re there. If you want to spend most of your day seeing the stones, then you may only have enough time to cover one section of them. That would mean having to rush through other areas. And rushing will not give you the full impact of what you’re seeing. So if you want to take your time and enjoy everything there is to see, then the best thing to do is schedule several days so you can see all of the sites.
But remember, you don’t have to see every single site that exists at Stonehenge. There are dozens of other ones in the area and they’re worth visiting too. There are also countless museums that have exhibits dedicated to the stones. So if you feel you’ve seen everything, then you could still try looking into other options. It’s always better to have more choices than less.
There Is No Right Way To Visit
Although you won’t find any official rules for visiting the site, there are certain practices that people tend to follow. Some people prefer to walk around the perimeter of the stones so they can appreciate them from different angles. Other people like to stand in two places at once and see both sides at the same time. There is no right way to see the stones because everyone has their own preferences.
Some people also like to do a combination of walking and driving to see the site. They drive slowly along the road until they come upon a section where they can stop and look up at the stones. This is a great way to appreciate the site from a distance without getting too close.
You Can Do A Short Tour Or An Extended One
Now that we know what to expect from our visit, let’s talk about how long we’ll be spending there. The average length of a Stonehenge tour bus or visit is between three and five hours. However, some people spend considerably longer than that. For instance, some people visit the stones twice a year for extended periods of time. Others visit them annually for four to six months each year. So depending on how long you want to stay, you can either book a short tour or an extended one.
Booking A Short Tour Will Give You More Time
If you decide to opt for a short tour, make sure you choose one that lets you see the whole site. There are plenty of companies that offer such tours, but you should ensure that they allow you to see them all. For example, you should ask if they have a free entrance to the stones. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting money by paying extra to enter.
On the other hand, if you do a short tour, you’ll probably end up doing a lot of driving. Since you’ll be spending so little time at the site, you won’t want to waste precious time waiting in line for parking or standing around outside. So make sure you choose a company that offers fast, easy parking. Also, make sure they provide a shuttle service so you won’t have to worry about finding a space to park.
Booking An Extended Tour Will Allow You To See Everything
You might wonder why some people choose to spend a lot of time at Stonehenge. After all, they already paid a hefty fee to see the site. Well, in order to fully appreciate the history of the place, you have to spend as much time as possible. In other words, you have to walk around the entire site.
This is especially true if you want to do a combination tour. When you combine walking and driving, you’ll end up covering a lot of ground. So if you want to see everything, then you really shouldn’t limit yourself to a short tour. You should book an extended tour instead.
You Can Even Book A Half Day Tour
Even though booking a half day tour is much cheaper than the full day option, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting half the value. Yes, you’ll save money if you choose a shorter tour over a longer one, but you’ll miss out on the opportunity to explore the site completely.
With a half day tour, you won’t get to walk around the grounds. You’ll just be able to see the main stones and the visitor center. And if you book a half day tour, you’ll also skip the chance to interact with the guides or learn about the history.
So if you want to truly appreciate the site, then you should invest in a full day tour or even a multiple day tour. But regardless of which option you choose, make sure you don’t forget that there are tons of other things to see nearby.