🎄✨Last Min Discounted Featuring – 16 Day East Coast Australia, Beaches, Bushwalks and Surf 🎄✨

18th December 2025

🎄✨Last Min Discounted Christmas, New Year and Winter Departures Featuring – 16 Day East Coast Australia, Beaches, Bushwalks and Surf 🎄✨

🎄✨Good afternoon from a vibrantly festive Backpacker Tours, England with Christmas next week we are busy with Christmas Tour requests and are delighted to be offer this fabulous New Yar trip 🎄✨Last Min Discounted Christmas, New Year and Winter Departures Featuring – 16 Day East Coast Australia, Beaches, Bushwalks and Surf 🎄✨Please see below for all Contact Details and secure links if you choose to book. Plus much more; Small Group, Stonehenge, Festive, Christmas and New Year Eve/Day Tours and do shout, we are happy to help with any questions – WhatsApp Email  Contact Us. 🎄✨

Visit Stunning Byron Bay on this fabulous winter adventure

🎄✨Last Min Discounted Christmas, New Year and Winter Departures Featuring – 16 Day East Coast Australia, Beaches, Bushwalks and Surf 🎄✨

Celebrate the New Year or escape the winter chill on an unforgettable 16-day journey along Australia’s sun-soaked East Coast, where beaches, bushwalks, wildlife, and surf culture come together in one epic adventure. This immersive experience is perfect for last-minute winter getaways, offering warmth, colour, and energy at every stop.

Your journey begins in iconic Sydney, where world-famous sights meet laid-back coastal living. Explore golden Bondi Beach, discover hidden harbour coves, or head into the Blue Mountains to hear Dreamtime stories surrounding the Three Sisters. From festive city lights to coastal sunsets, Sydney sets the tone perfectly before you fly north to the bohemian surf town of Byron Bay. Here, sunrise lighthouse walks, beachside cafés, and relaxed surf vibes define daily life.

Next, slow the pace in the tranquil Noosa Everglades, staying at an eco-lodge surrounded by reflective wetlands and native wildlife. Enjoy peaceful paddles, forest walks, morning yoga, or simply unwind in nature. Continue to K’Gari (Fraser Island), where vast sand dunes, rainforest tracks, and crystal-clear lakes create one of Australia’s most unique landscapes.

The adventure heats up in Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays. Spend your days island hopping, snorkelling vibrant reefs, or soaking up the beauty of Whitehaven Beach’s pure silica sands. Optional scenic flights reveal Heart Reef from above—an unforgettable festive highlight.

Your journey concludes in tropical North Queensland, where ancient rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Walk through the Daintree with Indigenous guides, sample native bush foods, and choose to snorkel or dive among colourful coral gardens.

From festive beaches to wild landscapes, this East Coast adventure delivers sunshine, culture, and unforgettable memories—an ideal winter and New Year escape to remember.

Contact Us

Please see below previous ‘Helpful Posts’

from Backpacker Tours and Best Value Tours

🎄✨Last Min Discounted New Year/Winter Departures 9 Day Philippines Winter Sun Island Hopping 🎄✨

Escape winter and ring in the New Year with nine unforgettable days of tropical island hopping in the Philippines. This sun-soaked adventure is the perfect last-minute getaway, trading cold weather for crystal-clear seas, white-sand beaches, and postcard-perfect island scenery. From historic landmarks to vibrant marine life, this journey through Palawan delivers adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable moments with new travel friends.

🎄✨Last Min Discounted New year/Winter Departures

9 Day Australia North Queensland Adventure Tour 🎄✨

Kick-start the New Year with sunshine, adventure, and tropical magic on this unforgettable 9-day North Queensland journey. Perfect for winter escapes and last-minute travellers, this immersive adventure showcases Australia at its most spectacular—from pristine beaches and island life to ancient rainforests and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

🎄✨Last Min Discounted New Year/Winter Departures 7 Day Southern Thailand Sunshine Adventure Tour 🎄✨

🎄✨Last Min Discounted New year/Winter Departures 9 Day Australia North Queensland Adventure Tour 🎄✨

Kick-start the New Year with sunshine, adventure, and tropical magic on this unforgettable 9-day North Queensland journey. Perfect for winter escapes and last-minute travellers, this immersive adventure showcases Australia at its most spectacular—from pristine beaches and island life to ancient rainforests and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

🎄✨Last Min Discounted Festive Christmas Departures 4 Day Slopes of Hopfgarten Ski and Board Adventure 🎄✨

Short on time but big on festive adventure, this three-day Austrian escape delivers an exhilarating winter break at an unbeatable value. Perfect for last-minute, discounted Christmas departures, this snowy getaway combines alpine charm, world-class skiing, and a lively seasonal atmosphere. With free time to explore at your own pace, you’ll enjoy unforgettable days on the slopes, cosy mountain lunches, and plenty of après-ski fun alongside your fellow ski companions.

🎄✨Featuring Small Group Oxford and the Cotswolds

with Country Pub Lunch🎄✨

🎄✨ Experience the magic of England during the festive season on the Oxford & Cotswolds Small Group Tour with Country Pub Lunch. This charming winter journey from London combines historic cities, cosy countryside villages, and seasonal warmth, all enjoyed at a relaxed pace in a small group of no more than 16 guests.

Enjoy a fabulous lunch in a rural country pub in the stunning Cotswolds

🎄✨Featuring – 🎄✨Christmas Eve Small Group Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath Day Tour🎄✨

Festive Small Group Touring – See Britain’s regions of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

🎄✨Featuring – Christmas Eve or Boxing Day🎄✨

🎄✨Stonehenge and Extended Bath & Roman Baths🎄✨

Celebrate the festive season with a journey through England’s ancient mysteries and elegant Georgian beauty. This special Christmas Eve or Boxing Day tour offers a relaxed yet enriching escape, combining the winter charm of Bath with the timeless wonder of Stonehenge. Wrapped in the quiet magic of the holidays, the day feels like stepping between two different eras—one prehistoric, one gracefully Georgian. 🎄✨

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thames Cruise on board the Cyclone Clipper

and

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thames Cruise on board the Typhoon Clipper

Good afternoon from Backpacker Tours and a festive December in England, Our most requests this week have been for Festive, Christmas and New Year Eve/Day Tours and we are delighted to feature these two fabulous New Years Eve Trips below, with links and Contact Details we are happy to help with any questions – Contact Us.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thames Cruise on board the Cyclone Clipper

and

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thames Cruise on board the Typhoon Clipper

Welcome the new year in, unforgettable style with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thames Cruises on board the Cyclone Clipper or Typhoon Clipper.

Featuring Christmas Fun on the Harry Potter Behind the Scenes Studio Tour

Good morning from Backpacker Tours and a festive December in England, Our most requests this week have been for Festive, Christmas and New Year Eve/Day Tours in particular Christmas Day from London, which please find featured below with links and Contact Details and happy to help with any questions – Contact Us.

Featuring this morning – Christmas Fun on the Harry Potter the Behind the Scenes Studio Tour

Featuring – Christmas Fun on the Harry Potter the Behind the Scenes Studio Tour

During the festive season, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter is transformed into a breathtaking winter spectacle, inviting visitors to experience the Wizarding World in an entirely new light. From the moment you step inside, the studio greets you with dazzling decorations and charming seasonal touches that perfectly capture the warmth and magic of Christmas as imagined in the films.

Featuring – Christmas Day Thames River Cruise with 3 Course Traditional Lunch

Celebrate Christmas Day in a truly unforgettable way aboard the magical Christmas Day Thames Cruise with Lunch. This enchanting three-hour journey departs from Westminster and carries you gently along the River Thames, where London’s most iconic landmarks shimmer beneath the soft glow of winter light.

Best Seller Feature Tours – From London Christmas Day

Christmas Day Tour – Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor with Christmas Lunch

Welcome to a truly memorable festive adventure. The Christmas Day Tour – Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor with Christmas Lunch. This full-day journey from London invites you to explore some of England’s most iconic historic and scenic landmarks. Whether you’re admiring the soaring spire of Salisbury Cathedral. Pondering the ancient mysteries of Stonehenge. Strolling through the Georgian streets of Bath, or soaking up the royal heritage of Windsor. This tour combines culture, countryside, and Yuletide cheer.

Christmas Day Tour – Oxford, Cotswolds & Stratford-upon-Avon with Traditional Lunch

Welcome to a festive escape like no other: Christmas Day Tour – Oxford, Cotswolds & Stratford‑upon‑Avon with Traditional Lunch. This full‑day journey from London invites you to discover England’s most cherished historic and scenic gems. Whether you’re exploring the academic allure of Oxford. The rolling hills and picture‑postcard villages of the Cotswolds. Or the timeless charm of Stratford‑upon‑Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This tour blends culture, countryside and Yuletide warmth.

Historic Oxford

Christmas Day Tour – Windsor, Oxford & Avebury’s Stone Circle with Traditional Lunch

Celebrate Christmas with the Christmas Day Tour to Windsor, Oxford & Avebury’s Stone Circle. This full‑day journey from London invites you to explore three of England’s most iconic and atmospheric destinations. Whether you’re wandering the historic streets of Windsor. Exploring the timeless university city of Oxford. Or feeling the ancient mystery of the prehistoric stone circle at Avebury. This tour combines rich history, festive cheer, and timeless English charm.

Magnificent Windsor the largest working castle in the world

Christmas Day Tour – Canterbury & Greenwich with Traditional Lunch – Backpacker Tours

Celebrate Christmas Day with a full-day adventure to England’s most iconic locations. You will visit the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, admire the White Cliffs of Dover, and explore historic Greenwich. This Christmas Day Tour from London showcases the charm of an English Christmas.

Splendid sailors view on return to England the welcome White Cliffs of Dover

More links (some tours are offered with our sister site Best Value Tours)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day Tour – Sights and Sounds of London Morning or Afternoon | Best Value Tours

Christmas Day 4 Course Traditional lunch on-board a Thames River Cruise | Best Value Tours

Christmas Day Lunch Cruise with Panoramic Bus Tour of London | Best Value Tours

Christmas Day Tour – Sung Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral with Traditional Christmas Lunch | Best Value Tours

Christmas Day 24 Hour London Hop on / Hop off Bus | Best Value Tours

Festive/Christmas

Festive Tours

Christmas Eve Tours

Boxing Day Tours

New Years Eve Tours

New Year Days Tours

Contact Us

For a truly unforgettable experience, the Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour is an absolute must to unlock the magic of this mystical and ancient monument, with 1000’s of years of fascinating and much varied history, from the Druids to the Romans, to modern day and everything in between. An exclusive inner circle or also know as private access visit, offers rare access inside the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, which only a few privilege visitors get to enjoy each year.

On our inner circle tours you will be accompanied by an expert Stonehenge Guide who will bring the stones to life for you. Show you and explain the phenomenal ancient mathematical accuracy of the calculations made. How astonishing our ancient ancestors were able to align the vast Sarsen stones and not so small Blue Stones, to all but perfection alignment for; various alignment throughout the astronomical calendar with the sun and moon, setting and rising.

A quite remarkable achievement with the resources 2000 years when the current version of a monument on that site stands. A small part of the 5000 year history at this site of monuments and celebrations. All consumed into the magic the stones hold and that can truly feel as part of the memorable inner circle experience, come see for yourself, it is real.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Calendar

The Stonehenge Inner Circle Summer is considered March to September and most inner circle tours run during that period. Due to ground conservation reasons, currently Stonehenge do not allow access tours in October or November each year. Although there is general talk with more modern conservation techniques this may change in the future and we will announce if that happens.

The inner circle tours are morning or evening (evening when available). There are only limited dates throughout the year when it is possible to be inside the stone circle for the actual sunrise or sunset. If that is an ambition for you, please contact us (contact details below) and we will help free of charge. The time slots most tours enjoy, just after sunrise or just before sunset are spectacular and the way the sun and the moon align with the sun and moon will all make sense, all brought to life by your entertaining and knowledgeable, Stonehenge Expert Guide.

Due to lack of daylight hours, the evening/sunset tours only run March until September, however there are a good amount of morning tours still available December to February. Christmas, there is no access Christmas Eve, Day or Boxing Day, New years Eve or Day.

A wonderous time of year and each year; 20th June Sunset and 21st Sunrise, the site becomes as it has been since ancient times, a place of celebration, worship, music, drum, pipes and much merriment. We offer two outstanding Solstice tours that include options for sunrise, sunset and much more, further details below and we cannot recommend more highly this joyous and invigorating experience.

In Preparation for and clear up after, the Summer Solstice Events, Stonehenge are unable to offer access 16th to 19th and 22nd to 30th June each year. Thus as you will imagine as is by then peak summer, the weeks or so before or after 16th to 30th June are the most in demand of the year and the most popular dates sell out rapidly after launch (expected later this week). If you would like any guidance or assistance with this please contact us (contact details below). We are happy to deal with any questions you have and this is a completely free service.

This still leaves many 100’s of inner circle tours that are available each year and we will be delighted to help you find (free of charge) you best and best Value option and again our contact details are below. We have been commended for outstanding customer service so feel free to contact our knowledgeable and friendly agents whom will be delighted to help with your Stonehenge questions.

Beyond closure dates that occur each year as set out above. English Heritage/Stonehenge occasionally allow filming or other events at Stonehenge, when again inner circle access is not possible. as example there were block dates for filming this year 22nd to 30th September. We have advance notice of such events or filming, so can help you in your holiday date planning. if the Stonehenge inner circle is a must do for you, it is wise to plan that element, before if possible you finalise your holiday dates.

Charming, Vibrant, Colourful and Musical. Various Morris Dancers groups most welcoming attend the Solstice adding much Joy.

Finally a note on prices, which so sorry are frustratingly not cheap, however they are nevertheless still exceptional value. If you extract out any individual entrance costs, the actual tour cost is quite small. Plus great value as luxury transport with free wi-fi and your expert guide are also included. So amazing value for which we promise, will be a memorable and maybe spiritual experience that many experience inside the mystic and mythical ancient stone circle. Come and feel it to believe it.

More randomly, there are occasions when Stonehenge allow filming and so forth, as example 22nd/30th September  this year, so no access were available then. if you would like some help planning your inner circle experience please do contact us, details below and it is a free service.

Whilst so sorry the inner circle tours are not cheap, they are nevertheless still exceptional value, as include all entrance fees. If you extract the attractions entrance fees which are all expensive, you will find the actual tour cost is amazing value. Not least as includes an expert Stonehenge Guide, who will bring the stones alive for you and explain the astonishing accuracy of the alignment of the sun and moon, sunrise and sunset with the stones. Genuinely magical and enchanting.

The regular inner circle tours only depart and return from London, there are no regional departures. So sorry we can only help with tours, if you want Stonehenge Inner Circle tickets only English Heritage will be able to help with that and sorry it is not possible to meet any of our tours en-route or at Stonehenge.

Best Value Tours – Our Collection of Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours

Stonehenge Inner Circle, Lacock and Bath | Best Value Tours

Morning Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour and Windsor | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Evening Inner Circle Tour with Avebury | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Inner Circle Sunset and Windsor Open Top Bus Tour | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle Tour with Salisbury | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Sunrise Inner Circle Tour with Lacock and Bath | Best Value Tours

Afternoon Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour with Windsor | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Summer Solstice 

Stonehenge Summer Solstice, Lacock in the Cotswolds and Avebury Stone Circle | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Summer Solstice Sunrise Express Tour | Best Value Tours

More Stonehenge Stonehenge Tours | Best Value Tours

Alternative regular Stonehenge Tours Stonehenge Tours | Best Value Tours

Small Group Stonehenge Tours Small Group Tours of England | Best Value Tours

Cruise Shore Transfers including Stonehenge Shore Excursions & Cruise Transfers | Best Value Tours

More Day Tours Day Tours | Best Value Tours

Scotland Day Tours Scotland Tours | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Winter Solstice Visitor Information and Stonehenge Inner Circle / Special Access Updates/Dates

Information from English Heritage – Attending Stonehenge Winter Solstice

Visitors are strongly advised not to travel to Stonehenge by car. Parking is limited and must be pre-booked. Anyone intending to drive should expect long queues of slow-moving traffic to get in and out of the area. Please do not be tempted to abandon your vehicle and park it either on the A303 or other neighbouring roads and public rights of way. Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away

A regular bus service from Salisbury city centre, where there is ample public car parking, will operate throughout the morning. Public transport is the recommended way to travel to Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.

Follow English Heritage on X and Threads for the latest traffic, parking and event updates from Stonehenge. We’ll be sharing live travel information on the morning of 21^st December.

Image from English Heritage Winter Solstice 2025 | English Heritage

Parking

Pre-book parking click here

Car or Van £15, Motor Home £20 both prices also apply to Blue Badge Holders

Opening Times for Stonehenge Winter Solstice

Stonehenge will open from 5:15am, which includes access to the car park and the monument field where the stone circle is located.

The sunrise will take place at approximately 8:04am.

Visitors must vacate the monument field by 10:00am and the car park by 11:00am.

Getting to Stonehenge

Due to road closures and heavy traffic, we strongly advise using public transport or park & ride services to attend Winter Solstice. Cars and other vehicles that have not pre-booked parking will be turned away.

By bus – Salisbury Reds will be operating special bus services to transport visitors to Stonehenge from Salisbury Rail Station and Salisbury City Centre (New Canal) via Amesbury. Please visit the Salisbury Reds website for timetables. 

There is plenty of parking in Salisbury. Some all-day parking options include: Central Car Park Long Stay, Mill Stream Approach, Salisbury, SP1 3SL – £1.90 on Sundays, Culver Street Shoppers Car Park, Salisbury, SP1 2BQ – £1.90 on Sundays – For a full list of car parks and more information, please visit the Wiltshire Council website.

By Train – The nearest train station is Salisbury, which is 12 miles or 9km away. There are regular train services from London, Bristol, Bath, and Southampton.

By taxi – Taxis are available at Salisbury train station. The drop-off and pick-up point is in the Stonehenge Coach car park. Please consider booking ahead as demand for taxis will be high.

By foot – Stonehenge is a 2½ mile or 4 km walk from nearby Amesbury. Sensible footwear and a torch are advisable.

By bicycle – Please bring a strong lock and only park your bike in the designated areas in the car park. Ask a steward at the car park entrance for assistance. Please do not chain your bike to any of the gates – these are for use by the emergency services and any bikes causing an obstruction will be removed.

By car – Anyone travelling by car must pre-book parking, otherwise they will be turned away. This costs £15 for cars, vans and motorhomes. Please follow the road closure instructions detailed below and follow signs to the Stonehenge car park. Anyone who hasn’t arrived by 7:30am risks losing their pre-booked parking space. Traffic will be heavy and slow-moving in the area around the event, and you could be queuing for up to two hours. Please do not be tempted to abandon your vehicle and park it either on the A303 or other neighbouring roads and public rights of way. Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away.

By motorbike – Anyone travelling by car must pre-book parking, otherwise they will be turned away. This costs £5 per motorbike. Please follow the road closure instructions detailed below and follow signs to the Stonehenge car park. Anyone who hasn’t arrived by 7:30am risks losing their pre-booked parking space. Please do not chain your motorbike to any of the gates – the gates are for use by the emergency services and any motorbikes causing an obstruction will be removed.

Road closures

There will be no access to Stonehenge northbound on the A303 from the Long barrow Roundabout or eastbound on the A360 from Shrewton. All traffic will be diverted as follows: East along the A303 to the Countess roundabout; North along the A345 Countess Road; West along The Packway; South on the B3086;

Finally, into the Stonehenge Coach Park where cars will then be directed to a parking spot.

Winter solstice road closures map

Accessing the Stone Circle

Walking from the Stonehenge Visitor Centre to the Stone Circle will take 25–30 minutes (approximately 1 ½ miles or 2km). This is across land (owned by the National Trust) which is uneven. Sensible footwear and a torch are advisable.

A shuttle bus will also operate from the Stonehenge Visitor Centre to the Stone Circle at regular intervals, with priority boarding given to those with accessibility needs.

Accessibility

We aim to make Winter Solstice as accessible as possible for disabled visitors. If you have a question that is not covered in the information below, please contact English Heritage Customer Services on 0370 333 1181 or email customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Travelling to Stonehenge. Salisbury Reds buses travelling from Salisbury station via Amesbury are wheelchair accessible. For further information, please contact the Salisbury Reds Bus Company on 01202 338 420 or www.salisburyreds.co.uk

A limited number of accessible parking for blue-badge holders is available to pre-book and costs £15. Please ensure your blue badge and parking voucher are both clearly displayed upon entry. If you are being dropped off, this can be done at the Coach Park. You can then catch the step-free shuttle bus from the entrance to the coach park to near the stone circle. These will run at regular intervals. Our accessible parking is on hardstanding ground. The path from the shuttle bus drop-off to the stone circle is mainly grass with some hardstanding pathways.

Mobility Aids – Disability aids are permitted at the Monument Field, except for shooting sticks. English Heritage regrets it cannot provide wheelchairs. Chairs are permitted for visitors who need them. Please make sure the chair is designed for outdoor use and place it on an area of level ground, at least two metres away from any of the standing or fallen stones. Please ensure that chair legs are not driven into the ground.

Toilets – Accessible toilets are available in the Monument Field. There are standard accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility at the Visitor Centre. Please remember to bring your RADAR key for the Changing Places facility or ask for help at the Visitor Centre.

Registered assistance animals – Registered assistance animals are welcome. There is water available in the monument field near the entrance.

What to bring – Sensible shoes. The car park and area around Stonehenge are fields and uneven underfoot. Warm, waterproof clothing. Please note that large umbrellas are not permitted at Solstice. A torch. We recommend bringing a small torch for walking to the stone circle from the car parks and bus drop off points.

Small ground sheet and/or blanket. We do not permit sleeping bags, duvets or tents. Please ensure any chairs are designed for outdoor use and placed at least 2 metres away from standing or fallen stones, with the legs not driven into the ground.

Contact Us for Best Value Tours and Backpacker Tours

Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be delighted to help you find your perfect tour and best discount.

For up to an extra up to 30% discount of many multi-day tours, Call or WhatsApp us on:

Call +44 (0)20 7170 5878 WhatsApp +44 (0)74 1497 1573

Email us at enquiries@bestvaluetours.co.uk or enquiries@backpackertours.co.uk

Or go to our website www.bestvaluetours.co.uk where you can live text with us (message service available 24 hours a day, live text during normal working hours)

Recommended as Stonehenge Experts

Here at Best Value Tour we are proud of our Owner and Principal British Olympian Paul Harmsworth. Paul developed our exceptional and entirely free Stonehenge Customer Service, from his great personal passion of Stonehenge. From as a young child spending time playing at the stones and picnicking, visiting with his family as his grandparents lived close by in Amesbury. A passion much indulged with a 2 year spell working at Stonehenge, a time he remembers most fondly around 20 years ago and 18 years since, helping 1000’s of guests get the best Stonehenge experience possible.

When Paul first visited Stonehenge in the 1960’s, it was very different than today. Firstly, Wiltshire back then was very rural and very quite. As time went on and the road networks developed; Wiltshire’s wealth of ancient and more recent historic histories, all set in a region of outstanding natural beauty, became more accessible to visitors. Thus evolved to the iconic and mystical region visited by many each year, taking away lasting wonderful memories.

Stonehenge has somewhat of a varied history of fences, no fences, charging for entrance and not charging. Fortunately a period around 1963-1977 when Paul was young, Stonehenge was completely open, no fences, no staff or security. Was a popular destination for locals for summer weekend picnics of which Paul has warm memories (there is apparently a picture of him there in the 1960’s we are trying to locate).

History of fences/no fences at Stonehenge

Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, has a fascinating history not only in terms of its construction and purpose but also regarding how the public has accessed it over the centuries. In the early 1800s, the site was privately owned by the Antrobus family (famous local philanthropists, a name still known locally at the popular historic Antrobus Hotel still in Amesbury), and visitors could approach the stones freely, wandering among them across the Salisbury Plain without restrictions.

However, as visitor numbers grew and concerns about potential damage increased, the family introduced an entrance fee of one shilling in 1901. This was done to help fund the protection and maintenance of the monument and marked the first time that public access came with a cost.

In addition to charging an entrance fee, early efforts to protect Stonehenge included the introduction of fences, which were installed in the early 20th century. These fences were intended to prevent vandalism and manage the growing crowds of visitors while preserving the integrity of the stones.

When Sir Cecil Chubb purchased Stonehenge in 1918 and subsequently donated it to the nation, he stipulated that local residents should retain free access and that the general admission fee for other visitors would remain minimal. Over the decades, fences were adjusted and, at times, removed, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s when restoration work, including the re-erection of fallen trilithons, aimed to restore the monument and its surrounding landscape.

By 1977, fences fully enclosed the stone circle to safeguard it, limiting public access to controlled paths and special arrangements. Today, visitors can still enjoy close views of Stonehenge, but touching the stones is prohibited, and entry to the inner circle is reserved for solstice celebrations or exclusive tours. Modern management by English Heritage ensures a balance between preservation and tourism, allowing people from around the world to experience the monument safely while maintaining its enduring mystery and historical significance.

Here are some personal pics taken by Paul at his time at Stonehenge

Starting

Nearly there

Hooray Sunrise

Sunset at Stonehenge

sunset taken from the Stone Circle

Next a few of behind the scenes filming at Stonehenge

A snowy Stonehenge

Aricholigical surveying at Stonehenge

Druids celebrate at Solstice

The grass still needs cutting even at Stonehenge