Stonehenge Landscape

Heritage Site in Wiltshire

England

Stonehenge Landscape

Path to Stonehenge from The Visitors Centre Credit: Anthony Parkes

Stonehenge Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Wiltshire, England. It is a vast area covering approximately 2,600 hectares surrounding the iconic Stonehenge monument. The landscape is characterized by its rolling plains, ancient burial mounds, and numerous archaeological sites.

The centerpiece of the Stonehenge Landscape is the Stonehenge monument itself. This prehistoric stone circle, consisting of large standing stones arranged in a circular pattern, is believed to have been constructed around 2500 BC. It is still a mystery as to why and how these massive stones were erected, which adds to its intrigue and allure.

The landscape surrounding Stonehenge is dotted with numerous burial mounds, known as barrows, which date back to the Bronze Age. These mounds were used as burial sites for important individuals and provide valuable insight into the customs and rituals of the ancient people who inhabited the area.

In addition to the stone circle and burial mounds, the Stonehenge Landscape is also home to other archaeological sites. These include ancient pathways called "Avenues," which are believed to have served as ceremonial routes, and the Cursus, a large enclosure that may have been used for ceremonial purposes.

Visitors to the Stonehenge Landscape can explore the area on foot, following designated paths and trails. Interpretive panels along the way provide information about the history, archaeology, and significance of the various features. The landscape offers a unique opportunity to experience the ancient past and gain a deeper understanding of the people who once inhabited this remarkable area.

Overall, the Stonehenge Landscape is a captivating heritage site that combines natural beauty with archaeological wonder. It offers visitors a chance to step back in time and immerse themselves in the mysteries of the past.

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Stonehenge Landscape Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.177/-1.83 or Grid Reference SU1141. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Path to Stonehenge from The Visitors Centre

Anthony Parkes

Tumulus near Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Heel Stone and Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Stonehenge with approaching storm

Anthony Parkes

Stonehenge

Anthony Parkes

Tumulus on Normanton Down

Seen from the A303.

Trevor Harris

Arable fields by the A303

On Salisbury Plain, South of the road and just east of Longbarrow Cross Roads.

Trevor Harris

Students sitting on Stonehenge stones, 1926

Original 127 size print shows one upright sarsen with no cap, but there are heavy fingerprints on the top of the stone in the print, so it has been cropped. The people are students from University College London, at the time it was normal to touch and even sit on the stones.

John A Hawgood

Heel Stone with Cut Benchmark Visible

A cut Ordnance Survey benchmark is visible in this shot about 0.3m up from the ground, slightly right of centre (central to and slightly above the grey and yellow patches of lichen). There is at least one other cut benchmark on the main stone circle too. They were carved in the days before such acts were considered to be vandalism.

Paul Collins

A Wiltshire Gate

I don't know how the name came about, but these moveable barriers are often called Wiltshire Gates. This one is in its home county on National Trust access land near to Stonehenge. Buildings at Greenland Farm are just visible on the horizon.

Des Blenkinsopp

Edge of the Access Land

The fields all around Stonehenge are full of other prehistoric sites. Burial mounds and ceremonial avenues are preserved in an open grassland setting by the National Trust, with visitor access permitted. Elsewhere is just ordinary farmland. A very open landscape with only a few trees.

Des Blenkinsopp

The Old A344

Formerly a main road forming the long side of a triangle of roads around Stonehenge, the A344, which was only ever 3 kms long, was closed in June 2013 as part of a big Stonehenge enhancement project. The Mayor of nearby Amesbury was one of the last people to use it. Link

Most of the western end has been retained for use by the bus service, seen here, between the henge and the visitor centre. It's also used by visitors who want to do the 2 km walk rather than go on the bus. A brief Wikipedia summary is on Link

Des Blenkinsopp

Stonehenge Landscape

The National Trust manages 827 hectares of mostly chalk grassland with some small woods around the main site of Stonehenge. Rich in plant and animal species, the site also contains many of the large number of prehistoric remains which surround the Henge.

Des Blenkinsopp

Fence along The Cursus

The fence follows the line of The Cursus, a low level Neolithic linear earthwork presumed to have been made for some sort of ceremonial purpose. The field on the other side is part of the National Trust's access land surrounding Stonehenge. There is not a lot to see there. For a view in the opposite direction see SU1143 : Northern edge of The Cursus

Des Blenkinsopp

Dew Pond near Stonehenge

Once a common sight on dry downland pastures, you can still find dew ponds from time to time. Clay lined to collect rainfall, they were often the only source of drinking water for livestock.

Des Blenkinsopp

Fargo Plantation

Part of the National Trust's Stonehenge Landscape site. This area is not very well wooded, and what trees there are tend to be confined into small plantations like this one.

Des Blenkinsopp

Tumulus in Fargo Plantation

There are dozens of these Bronze Age burial mounds all around Stonehenge, which is why the whole area is a protected landscape in the care of the National Trust.

Des Blenkinsopp

Tumulus and Gate

There are dozens of these burial mounds all around Stonehenge. They come in various shapes and sizes. These two are some of the larger ones and are fenced off in their own enclosure.

Des Blenkinsopp

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Stonehenge Landscape is located at Grid Ref: SU1141 (Lat: 51.177, Lng: -1.83)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire