Stonehenge: Uncovering Britain’s Greatest Mystery
Updated: Jul 15
Standing proudly amongst the tranquil fields of the Salisbury Plains is Britain’s greatest mystery, the ancient megalith known as Stonehenge. Thought to be built around 6,500 years ago, it’s one of the nation’s only surviving landmarks of the Bronze Age. The problem is, this was so long ago that the written language hadn’t yet been developed and so there is no record of who built Stonehenge, how they built it, and what it was used for. All that we know is that this ancient stone circle goes above and beyond anything, people were thought to be capable of during this time. However, there are many theories about the history of Stonehenge as well as centuries' worth of lore.
In this article, we dive into some of Stonehenge’s most accepted theories, and its mystical history, and find out why it’s such a significant historical site. And just in case that inspires you to visit the mysterious stone circle, we also share everything you need to know about visiting Stonehenge and what else to add to your Southwest England itinerary. After all, the impressiveness of Stonehenge can only be truly comprehended and appreciated when seen in person — not only because of its scale but also because of the magical atmosphere it inhibits, as if it is somehow alive.
What is the Significance of Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is much more than an impressive-looking megalith, it’s actually distinguished as the most architecturally sophisticated stone circle in the world. It consists of an outer ring of sarsen standing stones each reaching four metres in height and weighing 25 tonnes connected by similar horizontal stones to form a horseshoe of portals. Inside is an inner ring of standing bluestones containing another portal.
Bearing in mind Stonehenge was thought to have been built 6,500 years ago during the Bronze Age, historians, architects, and archeologists are baffled by how it was achieved — especially since the bluestones are evidenced to be extracted 140 miles from Stonehenge in southwest Wales. Based on what we know about the Bronze Age, humans simply didn’t have the skills or tools to build such large, stable, and sophisticated structures.
While there’s technically no logical explanation for how Stonehenge was constructed, a successfully tested theory suggests the sarsen stones were pushed along a trail of rolling logs. Since this prehistoric group of people left no written evidence of their culture, nothing can ever be proven which means another popular theory of it being built by supernatural forces can never be ruled out.
What was Stonehenge Built For?
However Stonehenge was built, it’s clear that it took significant effort and was, therefore, hugely important to those who built it. Like everything regarding Stonehenge, there’s no evidence to prove what it was originally built for though many logical theories have been suggested, all of which lean into the idea it had a spiritual connection. Here are the main theories surrounding Stonehenge’s use:
Ancestral worship: it’s thought that groups would gather here to perform rituals that would conjure their ancestral spirits. The idea was to pay their respects to their ancestors, connect with them, and seek their wisdom.
A place of healing: one theory suggests Stonehenge was considered a sacred place of healing where sick people would come from far and wide to be relieved or cured of their ailments by a miraculous healer. While the healer could have been a human, some believe the bluestones in Stonehenge’s inner circle were used to heal people due to their unusual acoustic properties.
A funerary monument: some believe Stonehenge was used to hold funeral services for important people and even a place to hold human sacrifice rituals. This theory is likely to hold at least some truth because there are multiple burial mounds and tombs surrounding the monument dating as far back as 2,300 BC.
An astronomical observatory: Stonehenge is aligned with the sunrise and sunset of the summer and winter solstices proving that if nothing else, the stone circle was at least an astronomical monument. While this feature could have been a simple way to keep track of time, the time and effort it would have taken to build the stone circle suggests those who built it had a spiritual and cultural connection to astronomy.
Is Stonehenge a Druid landmark?
Although it has never been clear who built Stonehenge and why, there’s evidence to suggest it was historically used by Druids as a place of worship and ritual. The Druids are an ancient religious group pre-dating Roman Britain (43 AD) who worship nature and believe everything on earth is interconnected. As the sun provides the Earth with its energy, it was a central focus of Druid spiritual practices. Since Stonehenge is aligned with the summer and winter solstice, it was the perfect place for Druids to celebrate the sun’s cycles.
After the Romans invaded Britain and brought along Christianity, Druidism became somewhat of a lost faith and the summer and winter solstice rituals were no longer practised at Stonehenge. However, the religion was not entirely lost and in recent centuries the Druid community began to grow once again. After some dispute with local authorities and previous owners, Stonehenge was reinstated as an official place of worship for Druids in 1998. Since then, thousands of modern-day Druids have come to Stonehenge to celebrate the summer and winter solstices and other religious events.
Can I Visit Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice?
Although Stonehenge is officially recognised as a Druid place of worship, the site is open to visitors during the summer solstice. The stone circle itself is reserved for Druids who dress in white robes with flowers in their hair. They sing and dance from day to night as the sun rises and sets through the stone portal, marking the longest day of the year. Visitors can watch as the Druids perform their ancient rituals and worship practices whilst revelling in the excitement that fills the air. Whether religious or not, it’s an uplifting way for everybody to come together and celebrate the wonders and beauty of our planet. The wholesome event is suitable for people of all ages, including young families.
How to Visit Stonehenge
The Stonehenge Tour:
Tickets are required to enter Stonehenge and see the wondrous ancient stone circle up close. For an extra special experience, opt for VIP tickets for a Stonehenge tour that includes exclusive access to the inner stone circle where significant moments in Britain’s ancient history have taken place. A guide will accompany visitors and share the best available insights into the history and lore of this sacred place. On the day of summer solstice, entrance to Stonehenge is free.
Getting there:
Stonehenge is located in Salisbury Plain, a quiet and calm countryside spot in southwest England. Being 88 miles southwest of London, it’s a 2.5-hour drive or three-hour train ride direct from London’s Waterloo Station to Salisbury Station followed by a train to the Stonehenge Visitors Centre. While it’s easy to reach Stonehenge by public transport, private transport allows you to explore other ancient sites and must-see spots of southwest England too.
Add These Stops to your Stonehenge Tour
Visit Salisbury and Salisbury Cathedral
Spend time in the small medieval city of Salisbury to discover a wealth of historic landmarks ranging from Gothic to Georgian. The historic city centre, lined with crooked timber-frame houses, is centred upon the medieval market cross where open markets have been held weekly since the 1300s. Meanwhile, Salisbury Cathedral steals the show with the tallest spire in Britain, the oldest working clock in Europe, and one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta.
Walk through Avebury henge
Located 24 miles north of Stonehenge is Avebury, the world’s largest stone circle. The best way to see this impressive Neolithic monument is by taking the Avebury Ridgeway Walk trail. It leads you around the stone circle where you can get a close-up of the large stones and into the area’s rolling hills which are marked with Bronze Age burial mounds and ancient roads.
Explore the city of Bath
Built in a uniformed honey-coloured limestone, Bath is arguably the prettiest city in Britain. With upmarket shopping and dining, the tranquil River Avon, and significant historic landmarks, it’s easy to see that Bath is a city of substance as well as style. Must-see sights include the 18th-century Bath Assembly Rooms, the palladian 18th-century townhouses of the Royal Crescent, Gothic Bath Abbey, and the city’s namesake, the world’s best-preserved Roman Baths.
Start Planning your Visit to Stonehenge
With the assistance of Lore Luxury Travel, you can plan your visit to Stonehenge as part of a luxury UK itinerary. Expect nothing less than the best private transport, luxurious accommodation, smooth destination transitions, and an unforgettable Stonehenge visit. Find out more about creating a luxury UK itinerary by calling us toll-free at 1 (800) 707-5184/ direct in the UK +44 (0) 2045 781 580 or email us here.