Stonehenge: Ancient Rocks, Motorways and Velvet Ropes
Posted on 04. Jan, 2012 by Marie in Destinations, Europe Travel, United Kingdom
Visiting Stonehenge is a bit of a mandatory step when visiting the UK for the first time. With such a mystique, intricate history, it attracts more than 800,000 visitors per year, some of which with high expectations.
Those people will definitely be disappointed.
- Early morning at Stonehenge
Stonehenge itself isn’t bad – the sheer fact that these rocks were probably hauled all the way from Wales back in 2000 B.C. is actually very impressive, to say the least. To this day, specialists still don’t agree with its vocation: was Stonehenge a healing temple, a sun worshiping place, a burial site or a life-size calendar? No one knows for sure.
What’s not impressive, however, is the setting of the monument.
The nearby motorway definitely ruins the atmosphere of the visit – how can you concentrate on Neolithic rocks when all you hear is the buzzing of speeding cars? I don’t know who had the bright idea to trace not one, but two motorways there, but it definitely wasn’t is shining moment.
Stonehenge
Another contributing factor of disappointment when visiting Stonehenge is the distance from the rocks. I do understand the need to preserve the rocks, but is placing the rope 20 feet away really the best solution? I don’t know anyone who has an arm’s reach of 20 feet, or even 10 feet. I agree that a restriction is necessary, but really, 20+ feet? The only way to get up close and personal with the rocks is to convert to druidism and celebrate the solstice and equinox.
Anyone interested?
I was really sad when I left the site. Maybe because I was expecting too much, and hoped to feel the magic and mystique of its history. But it was very far from that. Maybe I should have visited the other henge…
Have you ever considered visiting Stonehenge? What did you think of it? Have you faced similar disappointments in your travels?
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Ross Corbett
04. Jan, 2012
I always like to picture them in the middle of nowhere with nobody else about but I have yet to visit Stonehenge for the reasons you mention.
We should focus on how incredibly impressive it is that they got there in the first place but It’s not so special with cars whipping by and coach loads of tourists arriving.
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
I did try to focus on the magic of it, and it worked for a little while, until the humming of the cars got too loud
Marie
25. Jan, 2012
In the end I did enjoy my visit for the sheer magic that surrounds the rocks’ history, but I couldn’t help being a little disappointed in the setting.
Laura
05. Jan, 2012
I agree that the distance to the rocks is way to big…. but i still loved to be there – it felt special…
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
It was indeed a bit magical nonetheless
Nancy Sathre-Vogel
06. Jan, 2012
I felt like that at Macchu Pichu. Everybody talks about how special it is, but I just didn’t feel the magic. We ended up going there on the winter solstice unknowingly, so were NOT expecting the massive crowds. We couldn’t even stop to take a picture because the masses were pushing us on, herding us like cattle.
Sometimes you just have to go there anyway.
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
How disappointing! I heard the biggest cause of disappointment is the massive clouds in the morning. Was it your case?
Jade - OurOyster.com
06. Jan, 2012
Ive been to Stonehenge and I actually LOVED it, but I can totally understand why some people would be put off by it
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
I did enjoy it in a way, but I feel it wasn’t optimal due to the ropes. But it wasn’t so bad
John
06. Jan, 2012
If the rope wasn’t there at all there would be hundreds of people hugging the stones and feeling the energy or similar. If the rope was placed at 2 metres distance then photographers would not be able to get a shot without crowds of people in front of the stones. I feel the present system works we;ll.
If you want to get close and personal with standing stones the stone circle built around Avebury is part of the same UNESCO listing and well worth a visit.
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
Now that you mention it, I do agree that it would be harder for photographers to get a good overall shot of the rocks if the ropes were closer to the rocks. But is that really the point when you visit Stonehenge? I feel like it would’ve been better if the ropes were a few feet closer, not necessarily non-existent. Maybe the magic would operate more at 10 feet rather than 20…
Kat
06. Jan, 2012
Sorry to hear you were so disappointed. I must admit though when you mentioned how far away the ropes were, as a photographer, my first thoughts were in line with John’s but then I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to stop people getting closer.
I would recommend Avebury too. When I visted there was virtually nobody else there. That was a long time ago now though, so I hope it hasn’t changed. Maybe it’s time I went back?
Marie
06. Jan, 2012
I have heard of Avebury too, and most people seem to think it’s even better than Stonehenge because of it’s not as well known and “protected”. I ought to check it out!
Christy @ Technosyncratic
07. Jan, 2012
I was expecting to feel disappointed because so many others talked it down, but I loved Stonehenge. Yeah, the highway really sucks, but if you can ignore that and get away from other people it’s a really magical area.
Bret @ Green Global Travel
07. Jan, 2012
I find Stonehenge fascinating, but mostly I just giggle because it always reminds me of Spinal Tap. Did you see the recent news that geologists think they’ve located the place where the stones were originally taken from? I believe it’s in Wales…
Marie
25. Jan, 2012
Yes, geologists have known for a while that the rocks came from Wales, but never pinpointed exactly where until just recently. Science is amazing!
Stephanie - The Travel Chica
10. Jan, 2012
I was really impressed by Stonehenge. I think the ropes are good… have you seen National Lampoons European Vacation
Sophie
10. Jan, 2012
It is possible to arrange to get up close – and even hug the stones (by contacting English Heritage). There’s a fee, but well worth it. We got a 5 am slot and it was pure magic in the early morning mist and then sunrise. And hardly any cars
Marie
25. Jan, 2012
I wish I had known about that! I thought special entries were for druids during the solstices only!
James - Ouroyster.com
10. Jan, 2012
I like Stonehenge I think it is an astonishing place
Marie
25. Jan, 2012
It was, despite everything!