In 2026 we finally visited Stonehenge, paying for admission. It took me almost 60 years to do that, despite driving past and seeing it from the road several times as a British citizen. I took my kids when they were older kids, so is Stonehenge worth visiting for kids, or for me, as an adult?
Was Stonehenge Worth Visiting?
Essential Info on How To Visit Stonehenge
Quick Guide to Visiting Stonehenge.
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You can see Stonehenge and the rolling open landscape around it, from the road, for free. So if you don’t have a strong interest in visiting, this might be enough for you. More details further down the page.
Stonehenge is roughly 2.5 hours from London. You could rent a car and drive, use this vehicle rental tool to get a price. Alternatively, book a tour like this one from London to Stonehenge. This tour adds on other must-see historic places in the area for very little extra cost.
You can book admission tickets to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre online here. The cost is approximately 30 UK pounds for adults, 15 UK pounds for children . A half day tour from London to Stonehenge with admission and transport included, is probably the most budget friendly option. Take a look at these tours here.
VIP TOURS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. These allow visitors to enter the inner circle. Check those out here, departs from London.
If you would like to visit Stonehenge for the solstices, admission can be free, and you can get close to the stones. Find out more at English Heritage.
Stonehenge is worth visiting if your interest level in these ancient stones is high. You will undoubtedly learn more about the stone circle at the visitor centre and attached museum. I did, and so did the children. It’s also worth visiting as part of a day trip incorporating other attractions, such as Bath. You will get a taste of the UK outside London.
It’s true that you can’t get very close to the stones with a regular admission, and that you certainly can’t touch them. Visitors can walk in a large circle around the perimeter of the site unless they book a VIP tour or attend on the solstices.
The Visitors’ Centre is modern and impressive, and the museum is well done. There is a nice restaurant and gift shop and plenty of parking at the Centre.
We visited oin February, UK winter. It was cold, slightly wet, and there weren’t many people there that day. I would imagine that in June, July and August, school holidays, Stonehenge must be much busier.
Stonehenge also draws attention at the solstices. The summer solstice, June, is the day when the sun rises in perfect alignment with the monument. The winter solstice, December, also draws visitors for the spiritual experience and for the spectacle.
We do have to question, of course, if what we are being told about the origins of Stonehenge is actually true. Like the pyramids, I suspect that the “Giants’ Dance” stone circle, holds history from before our time.
The Stonehenge Visitor Centre Is Expensive, Is It Worth It?
It’s definitely worth it if you have a strong interest in Stonehenge and ancient monuments of the world. The museum is well done, and the recreations of ancient shelters are quite cool. We enjoyed the gift shop and restaurant, plus the courtesy bus to the stones themselves. Admission included a free audio guide app that we were able to download to our phones.
Is It Worth Visiting Stonehenge With Kids?
I didn’t take my kids to Stonehenge when they were small because of the expense, and because I didn’t think they’d get much out of the experience. For me, it was better to take them as teens, when they had an interest in history and would actually learn something. Of course, family memories of trips like this are important. One of my kids barely remembers anywhere we took him before the age of 6, but we have the memory of taking him. We have a post on what we think is the best age to travel with kids.
If you are a world schooling family, as we were, education doesn’t end once kids are past the school years.
For reference, chidren under 5 years old are free (infants to 4 years old) and children pay a reduced admission price from 4- 17 years old. 18 year olds pay adult prices. We checked this information on the day of publication, but of course it could change.
Is It Worth Visiting Stonehenge From London?
Most visitors to the UK will visit Stonehenge from London and these tours are some of the best sellers in England, so yes, it’s worth your time. You can book a half day tour, which will be your cheapest option. A full day tour which adds on other important sites near Stonehenge (Bath & Windsor), or even a VIP tour with access to the Inner Circle.
The drive time from London to Stonehenge on these tours is only about 2.5 hours.
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