Stonehenge

I visited Stonehenge during the summer of 2021. I had always wanted to visit and thought now was as good a time as any to experience this ancient wonder. Lockdown had ended but some restrictions remained in place so, off I went on the train form Birmingham New Street to Salisbury but had to change at Basingstoke for the service to Salisbury.

The journey was straightforward and masks were still required on the trains but this didd’t trouble me at all, in fact, is was a relief to see so many people wearing them on the journey. The only time I took my mask of was to drink and when I arrived at Basingstoke as the platforms are not covered as in Birmingham. I didn’t book assistance for any of the travel but I did look on Google Maps for the journey to my hotel The Merchants House where I had booked for one night. This was a test for me after nearly 18 months of lockdown. The staff at the hotel were friendly and although breakfast was an extra charge it was a great breakfast and couldn’t be more helpful during my stay. I had booked a single room and was surprised that it was on the ground floor near reception, so that was very handy.

I had booked my tickets for the bus that takes you to Stonehenge and for an adult cost £16 return. The bus runs from Salisbury Railway Station via New Canal Street Stand U and then goes straight to Stonehenge. The bus is a normal double decker bus with all the accessible features that other buses have, its painted bright green so you can’t miss it.

Stonehenge © Christopher Fox - Glaucoma Traveller

On arrival at Stonehenge the bus drop is where the toilets are so a good idea to before you visit the site. There is a gravel path that leads to the visitor centre and you then either pay or present your English Heritage Membership Card to get in free. You pass through and go on to another gravel path that leads to a road (the road is not used by the general public) you cross the road and in front of you is a sign that points to the right, this means that you walk on the grassy farmland not on the road, until you see a gate, go through the gate and you see woodland in front of you. At certain points there are signs saying showing you the path to follow. You will come to another gate and once through, there is a mown path to take to another gate, once through you are on road so just look out for traffic, you will approach the site on your left that starts on a grave path and later becomes grass, though for the most part the path around Stonehenge is gravel. If you wish to avoid the walk altogether there is a free bus from the visitor centre that will drop you off at the site. A very wonderful experience, you’ll really enjoy the visit to Stonehenge.