Plan Your Visit to Stonehenge 2026
Everything you need to know before you go — opening times, ticket prices, getting there, what to bring, and how to make the most of your day at one of the world's great prehistoric monuments.
Opening Hours
Stonehenge is open every day of the year except 24 and 25 December. Hours vary by season. Timed entry tickets must be booked in advance — walk-up visits are not permitted.
| Season | Months | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | January – March | 9:30am | 5:00pm |
| Spring | April – May | 9:30am | 7:00pm |
| Summer | June – August | 9:00am | 8:00pm |
| Autumn | September – October | 9:30am | 7:00pm |
| Winter | November – December | 9:30am | 5:00pm |
Last entry is 2 hours before closing. Closed 24–25 December. Check the English Heritage website for special event dates including solstice openings.
Admission Prices 2026
All prices below are for direct English Heritage admission. Guided tour packages from London include Stonehenge admission in the tour price and often provide better overall value.
Family tickets are available for 2 adults and up to 3 children. English Heritage members receive free admission. All tickets include entry to the Visitor Centre and the shuttle bus service to the stones.
Getting to Stonehenge
By Car
Stonehenge is located just off the A303 in Wiltshire, near the junction with the A360 at Longbarrow Crossroads. The Visitor Centre car park is signposted from both roads.
From London, take the M3 motorway south-west, then the A303 west past Andover. The journey is approximately 85 miles and takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. A separate parking charge applies at the Visitor Centre; do not park on the A303 roadside.
Postcode for sat nav: SP4 7DE (Stonehenge Visitor Centre)
By Bus
The Stonehenge Tour bus operates from Salisbury city centre (Salisbury Railway Station and bus station) to Stonehenge, running regularly throughout the day in season. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
A hop-on hop-off day ticket includes stops at Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Salisbury Cathedral. This is an excellent option if you are based in Salisbury or arriving by train.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Salisbury, served by frequent trains from London Waterloo (approximately 90 minutes). From Salisbury, take the Stonehenge Tour bus or a taxi to the site.
There is no direct train to Stonehenge. Trains from Bristol Temple Meads also serve Salisbury. Always check National Rail for up-to-date timetables and engineering works.
By Guided Tour from London
For visitors based in London, a guided day tour is by far the easiest option. Tours depart from central London (typically Victoria Station or Trafalgar Square), include return transport, Stonehenge admission, and a guide or audio guide.
Many tours combine Stonehenge with Bath, Windsor Castle, or Oxford for outstanding full-day value. All logistics are handled, leaving you free to enjoy the experience.
What to Bring
Stonehenge is an outdoor site on an exposed chalk plain — preparation makes a significant difference to your enjoyment.
Accessibility at Stonehenge
Stonehenge is committed to being accessible for all visitors. English Heritage has made significant improvements to ensure that people with disabilities and reduced mobility can enjoy a high-quality visit.
Hard-Surface Path Around the Stones
A firm, level hard-surface path runs the full circuit around the stone circle, accessible for wheelchairs, motorised scooters, and pushchairs. The surface is maintained year-round.
Accessible Shuttle Buses
All shuttle buses between the Visitor Centre and the stone circle are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and designated spaces. The shuttle is included in your admission price.
Audio-Described Tour
An audio-described version of the standard audio guide is available for visually impaired visitors. The audio guide is available in 16 languages and is included with all admission tickets.
Visitor Centre Facilities
The Visitor Centre building has full level access, accessible toilets, a hearing loop system in the exhibition areas, and accessible cafe seating. Disabled parking bays are located close to the main entrance.
For specific accessibility enquiries, contact English Heritage directly via the Stonehenge page on their website.
Photography Tips
Stonehenge is one of the world's most photographed monuments. Here is how to get memorable shots.
Visit Early Morning
The first entry slot of the day (opening time) gives you the best chance of photographing the stones with few other visitors in frame. The light in the hour after sunrise is also typically the most dramatic, casting long shadows through the trilithons.
Embrace Cloudy Days
An overcast sky acts as a natural diffuser, eliminating harsh shadows on the stones and producing even, dramatic light. Cloudy days at Stonehenge often yield more atmospheric photographs than bright blue-sky days.
Use a Wide-Angle Lens
A wide-angle lens (24mm or wider on a full-frame camera) is ideal for capturing the full scale of the circle and including the sky above. Get low to the ground for a more dramatic perspective.
Walk the Full Circuit
Walk completely around the stone circle and photograph from multiple angles. The north-east aspect — looking through the outer circle towards the Heel Stone — captures the classic solstice alignment. The south-west view shows the tallest trilithon against the sky.
Include People for Scale
The stones are enormous — up to 9 metres tall including the buried section — but photographs can flatten this scale. Including a person in the frame conveys the true size of the monument in a way that stone-only shots sometimes fail to.
Stonehenge Visitor Centre Guide
Opened in 2013, the Stonehenge Visitor Centre is located approximately 1.5 miles from the stone circle and is included in all admission tickets. Allow 45–60 minutes here in addition to your time at the stones.
Exhibitions
The main exhibition tells the story of Stonehenge from its earliest phases to the present day. Highlights include a 3D digital reconstruction of the monument as it once appeared, original Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts, and the results of decades of archaeological research. The exhibition is interactive and suitable for all ages.
Neolithic Houses
Outside the Visitor Centre, reconstructions of Neolithic houses based on remains found at Durrington Walls give a vivid impression of everyday life for the people who built Stonehenge. Costumed interpreters are sometimes present to bring the period to life for visitors, particularly during school holidays.
Cafe
The Visitor Centre cafe serves hot and cold food, drinks, and snacks throughout the day. Options include hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, and children's meals. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The cafe becomes busy at peak times; visiting at opening or later in the afternoon tends to be quieter. Card payments accepted.
Gift Shop
The Stonehenge gift shop stocks a wide range of books, gifts, and souvenirs, including English Heritage publications, replica artefacts, jewellery, clothing, and toys for children. Prices range from small pocket-money items to higher-end gifts. The shop also carries a good selection of books on prehistoric Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about visiting Stonehenge.