Where Is Stonehenge Located?

Are you wondering where is Stonehenge located? I got you covered! I have been to Stonehenge a couple of times. So let me share with you where this iconic landmark is. Stonehenge is an awe-inspiring monument with truly distinguishable features. The theories that add to this destination’s mysteriousness are worth diving into!

Where exactly is Stonehenge located? Stonehenge is located on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, in the United Kingdom. Stonehenge is bordered by The Cursus to the north, the Amesbury Archer Burial Site to the west, and the River Avon to the east. The latitude of Stonehenge is 51.1740 while its longitude is -1.8224. 

While Stonehenge is truly surrounded by mystery, there are stories from people in the field that can help us decipher what the purpose of this place is. Let’s learn more about Stonehenge’s location and specifications.

Where is Stonehenge Located on the Map?

Stonehenge at a Glance

Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which welcomes millions of visitors yearly. It is protected by the English Heritage, a charity organization that manages and maintains historic sites and buildings in England.

The site where Stonehenge is, the Salisbury Plain, is a large plateau which measures 300 square miles or 780 square kilometres. Aside from being Stonehenge’s location, it is also a military training area and a home to vast wildlife.

The enclosure of the Stonehenge measures about 100 metres in diameter. The blocks of stone that average between 5–6 metres in height and around 25 tons in weight.

There are two types of stones that are in Stonehenge:

1. Sarsen stones – these are massive sandstones that form the outer circle of Stonehenge. They are grayish-white in color. Sarsen stones are commonly found in the south of England.
2. Bluestones – these are smaller stones that make up the inner layer. They are bluish-gray in color. Bluestones are from Preseli Hills in southwest Wales.

Aside from stone types, there are also stones in Stonehenge which have been given names. Some of them are the following:

1. Altar Stone – it is the most popular bluestone and is believed to have been used as a centerpiece
2. Carn Menyn – this is the name of a quarry in the Preseli Hills of Wales
3. Craig Rhos-y-felin – this is a quarry that might have been one source of bluestones
4. Preseli Spotted Dolerite – as its name suggests, this bluestone has an aesthetic spotted pattern
5. Rhyolite – it is a volcanic rock that is usually gray or brown-colored

Distance of Stonehenge to Other UK Destinations

Fun Facts About Stonehenge 

1. The estimated age of Stonehenge is 5,000 years old. While it has been here for centuries, its precise reason for existing still cannot be determined. Many believe that it is for religious and ceremonial purposes.
2. The span of the construction of Stonehenge is believed to be about 1,500 years. This theory arose as the elements being discovered showed significant gaps in age among each other.
3. The stones are related to the movement of the sun, giving an impression that Stonehenge may have been used as a calendar or an observatory. 
4. The initial arrangement of Stonehenge is believed to be circular. There may have been two circles: the outer sarsen circle and the inner bluestone circle.
5. The most massive stones at Stonehenge weigh a whopping 25 tons or 22.6 metric tons each. This is something that baffles many, as no one can seem to determine how the stones were transported and held to their upright position. 
6. There is a replica sarsen stone onsite wherein one (or more) can try and see if they can move the stone the way the ancient labourers did. It is safe to assume that no one has ever moved the said stone from its place!
7. Stonehenge’s bluestones are thought to have travelled for 240 kilometres from Preseli Hills in South Wales to Wiltshire. The way they were transported there might have involved boat travel or another means that involved several stages. 
8. Stonehenge was once sold at an auction – and somebody did but it! For the price of £6,600, a local and wealthy British businessman in the name of Cecil Chubb bought the Stonehenge as his gift to his wife. In today’s currency, this amount is equivalent to roughly £730,000.
9. Every year, people gather at Stonehenge in celebration of the Summer and Winter Solstices. During these times, you can witness the alignment of the stones with the rising and setting sun. 
10. Stonehenge is believed to have served as a cemetery in the past. According to scientists, at least 64 Neolithic people were buried here. 56 pits or “Aubrey holes” contained cremated human remains.

More About Stonehenge 

• Stonehenge is definitely one of the places you have to visit when you’re in the UK! This ancient site is undeniably a popular tourist destination.
• Your 2-week UK itinerary won’t be complete without a trip to see Stonehenge. Make sure to check out my recommendations so that you get to see the best that the country has to offer.
• Stonehenge is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK. The others are the Blenheim Palace, the City of Bath and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, to name a few.
• Salisbury is one day tour away from London, which makes a trip to Stonehenge entirely possible. 
• There are many ways to see Stonehenge! Get Your Guide has Stonehenge tours paired up with other great attractions within the area, so make sure to check them out.
• Stonehenge is easily accessible from neighboring areas in the UK. I trust Trainline and Omio when it comes to booking trains and bus rides. If I need to book a flight to where Stonehenge is, I go to Skyscanner. When I need to rent a car to drive to Stonehenge, Discover Cars saves me a lot of time by giving me all options in just one click.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stonehenge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.