Stone Henge??

[lilchappy]

Just wondering if anyone has been to Stone Henge before? I am headed to London this summer and was wonder how I would get there from London, How far it is, and if it is worth it??? Anything else to do around that part of England??

thanks
cya...lilchappy

[space virgin]

Yep, I've been there. It's an hour or two west of London in the Salisbury area. I'm certain there are buses that can get you there, try National Express for coach schedules & prices to Salisbury. Also check out the Stonehenge main site, um... I don't have the exact URL handy but I'm sure you'll find it if you google it. There are buses that go from central Salisbury out to Stonehenge proper. Three years ago it cost about 8 quid to get in and walk around the stones and listen to the guided tour thing which was actually quite informative. Or you can just stand in the parking lot and look at it from across the street, lol. You could also catch a train from London to Salisbury but in my experience, coaches are almost always significantly cheaper and usually take about the same amount of time.

I also recommend going to Avebury if you're into the whole stone circle thing. It's about, what-- 40 minutes north of Stonehenge (go through Devizes, I forget the highway number) and it's really cool because you can walk around among the circle there. That's because it's huge, about the size of a football field.

Just north of the whole Salisbury Plain area are the Cotswolds, which are absolutely charming and not to be missed if you have a bit of time to go through some of the villages.

[Somnambulation]

If your into wierd pagan rituals and want to get up close to the stones for free, go during the summer solstice on June 20th. Its a pretty cool experience.

[lilchappy]

Originally posted by Somnambulation@Jan 28 2006, 04:24 PM
If your into wierd pagan rituals and want to get up close to the stones for free, go during the summer solstice on June 20th. Its a pretty cool experience.

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Well, I wouldnt say I am a Fan of pagan rituals but anything interesting always....intrests me. I think i would go right about that time anyways. Is it only on the 20th? What is involved? I dont have to screw a donkey or anything right? haha, just kidding.

Thanks for the info guys.

cya...lilchappy

[Somnambulation]

No, no compulsory donkey screwing. Everyone gets there at night and stays up partying and playing music, mostly drums, all night and then gets up and watches the sunrise on the day of the 20th. They have these druid guys performing ceremonies the whole time too. The next morning they have food trailers set up and busses to get everyone out of there. It definitely an expeirence, and Ive got some funny stories that resulted from that night.

Ive got some pictures of it here:
http://www.travelpackers.com/cgi-bin/journ...ory.cgi?id=1934

[omisan]

Stonehenge! Where the demons dwell! Where the banshees live, and they do live well!

[lilchappy]

Sounds like a good time. Quite an experience from the looks of those pics. Thanks

cya...lilchappy

[urOZm8]

It is well worth it! The stones may be smaller than you expect, however. As SV said the audio guide is really interesting as it tells you about the history, alignment of stones, mathematics etc. SV's other comments are also right on the money!

ev

[she]

Heya, I've been there. I believe it's a 3 or 4 hour ride from London..I took the National Express bus.

Make a day trip out of it. Personally, I enjoyed the tour of the rocks (I am a history buff) and yeah, the audio guide was very useful. Salisbury, however, is really quiet and quaint...there's not much to do.

[bellelass]

If you go to salisbury, hit up the cathedral. I know, I know, there are so many cathedrals in europe, but this one is pretty sweet. I got some of my best photos of non-human subjects in britain from there. Its so hushed and peaceful.

Stonehenge is fucking cold. I went in March and it snowed. I went in May and froze my ass off. But really, its quite something. I, too am a history buff. But you might like it despite that.

Tho some kiwi friend of mine told me not to bother going, it was just "a pile of old rocks." I dont feel that way at all. He was kind of a moron.

Nothing to tell you about how to get there, I took tours both times. I was a hostel receptionist and they took me for free. If you have a bit of spare change (to the tune of 50 or so pounds) then I would highly suggest taking a tour. Usually they include several other sites, most commonly Bath which is very very very worth checking out. And besides, the tour guide is there to tell you all about exactly what you're looking at. Glastonbury was pretty cool, too. I'd like to live there sometime..