#Vinecations: Britain’s Stonehenge (video)

There are few symbols of Britain as iconic as Stonehenge. While we understand that this ancient ring of standing stones forms a temple aligned to the movements of the sun, the prehistoric monument remains a great mystery of our time, drawing more than 800,000 tourists a year. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire, about a 2.5-hour drive from London, making it an essential stop for any visit to England.

When to go

Stonehenge is open every day except Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Whenever you go, rain or shine, morning or dusk, expect droves of tourists wielding selfie-sticks, commonly referred to as “crowdhenge.” To regulate this flow of visitors, advanced booking is not only recommended, but required.

Getting there

There are plenty of options to join day trips and tours if you are staying in London. But if you prefer to rent a car and go independently, you’ll need to select a date and arrival time through the English Heritage website. Having a car will give you greater flexibility and freedom to explore some of the other Neolithic sites that populate the region, and there are many.

Where to stay

The city of Salisbury in Wiltshire lies about 8 miles south of Stonehenge, and makes for a good overnight base to explore the region. There are plenty of hotels, B&B’s, restaurants, pubs, and shopping, and a train station should you be traveling by rail. Don’t miss the Salisbury Cathedral, where you’ll find the tallest church spire and largest cloisters in Britain. Then head out and discover the less crowded, yet no less wondrous, historic sites in the scenic landscape of Wiltshire.