Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Stonehenge - is it worth it?

20 replies

JollyJaffaCake · 15/09/2025 21:23

I’ve always quite fancied seeing it, but I live miles away (north Scotland - so a bit of a trek away!)

I have an upcoming work trip where I’d be localish so started looking into going but didn’t realise that you don’t really get anywhere near the stones - also £30 entry plus parking. Read very mixed reviews. If you’ve been was it worth it? Or was it £35 to walk round for 5 mins take some pics and be on your way! 😂

OP posts:
Worldgonecrazy · 15/09/2025 21:25

If it’s a special trip, book out of hours private visit. You may still have to share with about 35 people per visit, but you will get a chance to be within the stones. Worth the extra.

Ddakji · 15/09/2025 21:25

We went this year and you get a lot closer to the stones that I’d thought, having driven past it many times. It’s obviously expensive unless you’re an English heritage member (is there any association in Scotland that would give you free or reduced entry?).

I think it is worth it if you have the time to spend doing it properly. And you don’t go in a boiling hot day like we did 🤣.

Uponastarr · 15/09/2025 21:26

Can get in with English heritage or national trust member ship I think

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
MaggieFS · 15/09/2025 21:29

I went two years ago and was thoroughly impressed. We went when passing and I wish we’d had longer. The museum exhibition was fascinating and I’d no idea how much else was in the vicinity. I thought you did get pretty close to the stones.

JaninaDuszejko · 15/09/2025 21:29

If you are a Historic Scotland member you can get in for free. But if you live in the north of Scotland I'd say go and see the Ring of Brodgar instead, it's much better. And when in Wiltshire go to see the Stone circle in Avebury which is fab.

RandomMess · 15/09/2025 21:30

There is a footpath that goes very near them that is completely free to walk along.

friskery · 15/09/2025 21:31

Maybe go to Avebury instead? Lots of free historical sites nearby, Silbury Hill, Kennet Long Barrows.

DinoLil · 15/09/2025 21:31

The summer solstice is the best time to go!

Noshadowsinthedark · 15/09/2025 21:32

Is it particularly Stonehenge you’re interested?

There are some amazing neolithic sites in Scotland.

chuzzlewitthechipmunk · 15/09/2025 21:32

Absolutely worth it if you have membership of English heritage (who look after the stones, IIRC) or National Trust (who maintain the land) and I’m 99% sure there’s a reciprocal arrangement with their Scottish equivalents.

I wouldn’t do that journey just for the stones, but if you’re in the area anyway…

dancingbymyself · 15/09/2025 21:33

You can see them for free (at a distance) in the footpath, but must admit I preferred seeing them ‘properly’ and the exhibition is interesting. It’s included with National Trust membership.
it’s so iconic that it would be a shame not to see it if you have the chance.
however I second that Avebury is brilliant - you can actually touch the stones, and it covers a huge area.

ZoggyStirdust · 15/09/2025 21:41

Worldgonecrazy · 15/09/2025 21:25

If it’s a special trip, book out of hours private visit. You may still have to share with about 35 people per visit, but you will get a chance to be within the stones. Worth the extra.

Do this. You have to turn up before they open to the public so it’s an early start, but you get a guided tour where you walk through and into the stone circle. I really enjoyed it, got some great pictures. Well worth it

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 15/09/2025 21:54

I prefer Avebury.

Original poster
JollyJaffaCake · 16/09/2025 10:08

Thanks everyone! I think I’ll definitely make the trip - it’s not to far from
where I’ll be.
There doesn’t seem to be any sort of agreement with any of the Scottish trusts or anything and getting any English memberships wouldn’t really be worth it for me, but thanks for the suggestions!

I read about the free foot path but was a bit confused by it. I’ll also look into smaller out of hours events on my dates. Thanks again

OP posts:
FadedRed · 16/09/2025 16:54

Loved the visit to Stonehenge, well worth going, but also the other nearby places pp mentioned.

When we went to Scotland, we got into lots of Scottish places ‘free’ with our English Heritage membership.

Zhu · 16/09/2025 16:59

I really enjoyed going, and like Avebury too. Well worth it if you’re close already. Our kids were 9 and 6 when we went and they really loved it too, which surprised me more.

Original poster
JollyJaffaCake · 19/09/2025 19:49

Just to update, went today, was a bit further than I anticipated, but I loved it. The weather was perfect and glad I went! Thanks all for convincing me! 😊

OP posts:
NoCommentingFromNowOn · 19/09/2025 19:57

JollyJaffaCake · 19/09/2025 19:49

Just to update, went today, was a bit further than I anticipated, but I loved it. The weather was perfect and glad I went! Thanks all for convincing me! 😊

Did you do the £35 tour people are talking about?

Original poster
JollyJaffaCake · 19/09/2025 20:20

It was £25 if booked the day before (plus £3 parking)
I just wandered around doing my own thing, you could put an audio guide on your phone.
There were a lot of people on what is the public footpath and it isn’t really that’s much further in one part, but loads further from the other side. So it did feel worth paying for me

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page