How To See Stonehenge For Free + Visit The Inner Circle

Ask any English person if they’ve been to Stonehenge and 9 out of 10 times, they’ll tell you that they ‘driven by it’ on the way somewhere. Fair enough. Even amongst travelers, we’ll fly half way around the world to a grand monument, walk across a big red bridge or eat an exotic delicacy deep in some jungle somewhere, but we’ll neglect some of the spots right in our own backyard.

My confession? Canada was the 38th country I visited. That’s right, I’ve been to Fiji twice and have only just had a doughnut from Tim Hortons when I finally crossed the border to our northern neighbor.

For me, Stonehenge has long been on my bucket list, just because it’s Stonehenge. It was literally the first stop on my original around the world trip. My friends picked me up from Heathrow and we drove straight to the rocks en route to Bath.

Is Stonehenge Really Worth A Proper Visit?

You can say that Stonehenge is just a pile of rocks. And in a way it is. For the £30 that you’re paying to enter to get a closer look than from the roadway. But note that there’s a chain around the stones, so you can’t even get that close.

Ultimately, visiting is about appreciating the history and stories associated with the formation. After all, this ‘pile of rocks’ has been standing there for over 5000 years.

To be honest, I didn’t expect much and a part of me was right to do so. I didn’t get that ‘wow’ moment like at other historic landmarks. But another part of me could feel the significance of this place. I’m not religious myself, but when I enter a large cathedral, mosque, or temple, I can feel its importance to those who are. It was the same here.

This place has survived space and time to serve as a link to our past. It’s incredible to think how our the builders were even able to transport and erect such a large structure with the limited tools they had during that time. Even to this day, there are still mysteries and secrets waiting to be shared with the modern world.

If you’re there to just see what the rocks look like, it’s probably not worth it. And if you really care to see it properly, I recommend visiting during the Solstice.

Interesting Facts About Stonehenge

1. Stonehenge is older than the pyramids. That still blows my mind. It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around the fact that these stones were dragged here thousands of years before the Roman Empire was even conceived.
2. Some of the stones came from Wales. Specifically, the Preseli Hills, over 150 miles away. The smaller stones, known as bluestones, were hauled across rivers and hills, long before wheels and paved roads.
3. It wasn’t built all at once. The site started as a smaller circle around 3000 BCE. The large standing stones were added hundred of years later, and then rearranged and rearranged again after that.
4. It might have been designed to carry sound. Researchers have found that the stones bounce sound around in unique ways, almost as if they were arranged this way on purpose. Chants, drums, or ceremonies, would have echoed across the space in an amplified way.
5. Someone actually bought Stonehenge. In 1915, a man named Cecil Chubb bought Stonehenge at auction, as a romantic gift for his wife. It wasn’t exactly a diamond ring, so he ended up giving it to the government a few years later.
6. There’s a full-size replica in America. Someone built an exact copy out of foam in Virginia. It’s called Foamhenge. I haven’t been, and I’m not sure whether I care, but part of me knows that if I’m anywhere near Virginia, I’ll probably go because it’s so random.
7. The stones align with the solstices. This is probably the most magical thing about the site. On the summer solstice, the sun rises directly over the Heel Stone and lights up the center of the monument. On the winter solstice, it’s the sunset that lines up perfectly. Either way, visiting during one of these two days is the proper bucket list way to experience Stonehenge. Read more below.

How To See Stonehenge For Free

If you just want to have a quick look and not much more, there’s a way to see Stonehenge for free. And this might just be worth it for those who are already passing by.

It’s almost a bit comical, but there’s a public pathway (location) that runs right along the Stonehenge site. And it’s free. If the dirt road is open, you can try to park nearby otherwise, you can try parking in the nearby town of Larkhill and walk about 20 minutes to the pathway.

Alternatively you can park at the paid lot at the Visitors Centre and walk or take the shuttle to the entrance of Stonehenge.

Instead of going through the ticketed gate, just stay on the public pathway to the left.

The only real catch is you’re a few meters back from where paying visitors can stand and you’ll only see Stonehenge from one side.

How To Visit The Inner Circle At Stonehenge

Most of the year, you can’t walk up close inside the stones, which is one of the main reasons it may not be worth the £30 admission. But there are two ways to properly visit Stonehenge.

Visiting During The Solstices

Twice a year, during the solstices, English Heritage provides what they called Managed Open Access and actually allows people inside the circle to celebrate. It’s free and open to the public, but there are conditions of entry. You have to come in on foot, no alcohol, and no camping gear amongst other rules. Parking is limited, so it’s worth arriving early.

But once you’re inside, none of that matters. It’s as close as you can get to experiencing Stonehenge the way ancient people might have. Just you, the stones and the crowd of people also there to celebrate the solstice.

Booking The Stone Circle Experience

On select days of the year, there are special tours outside visiting hours where you can get up close and inside the main stone circle. The tours are usually early in the morning or evening and last an hour. Not only do you get to step inside the otherwise closed off path, but you can experience Stonehenge without the crowds. Tickets are around £70.

I’d recommend going the Stone Circle Experience route if you want the full experience on a non-Solstice day, otherwise, you can just do the public pathway for free.

Combine Stonehenge With A Visit To Bath

On its own, Stonehenge is a nice stop, but it’s also a pretty quick one to really go out of your way from London. It makes more sense to make a full day or trip out of it and visit the town of Bath as well, about 50 minutes away.

Where Stonehenge is sparse and desolate, Bath is a quaint and postcard town, with Roman baths, and gorgeous architecture. A soak in the thermal waters has drawn visitors for centuries.

If you’re driving, take your time. Stop in a random pub somewhere for lunch. Linger at Stonehenge for a bit and then continue on to Bath. Just a note, you should visit the beautiful Roman Baths, but if you want to actually bathe in the thermal hot springs water, you will need to visit the Thermae Bath Spa.

From London, you can also visit both Stonehenge and Bath on a full day shared trip. Saves you the drive and gives you enough time to visit both locations.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I didn’t have any epiphanies nor did the experience exceed my expectations. But I’m glad I came. It was the first stop on my 7 month around the world trip. Looking back, it represented all the places that were waiting for me on my adventures and all the places that I’ve yet to make my way to.

And I was able to get two of my English friends to actually stop and see Stonehenge up close for the first time.

Updated on June 14, 2025