How to Visit Stonehenge For Free in 2023 | Everything You Need to Know

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Want to know how to visit Stonehenge for free? Yes you can you visit Stonehenge for free!

In this post you’ll learn everything about the different ways that you can see Stonehenge for free and if this is the best option for visiting this prehistoric monuments.

Yes, you might say it’s only some big stones in a circle, what’s the big deal? Well, this ancient site captures the imagination of many and draws in thousands of visitors every year.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best known prehistoric monument in Europe. Now, how many stones in a circle can you say that about? None

Stonehenge is one of the most visited sites in the UK, and if you are planning a visit to London, it should be at the top of your list of day trips from London.

I’ve seen it twice and learn something new about the history of the stones every time I visit.

I’ve laid out all of your options – including how to visit Stonehenge for free. I’ve also answered many common questions, including how to take a day trip from London to Stonehenge and the best time to visit. 

Where is Stonehenge?

So where in England is Stonehenge anyway? And how far away is Stonehenge from London?  This famous prehistoric monument is located in the county of Wiltshire, three kilometres west of the town of Amesbury.

It’s built on Salisbury Plain, which is a large, open plateau. If you’re coming from London, Stonehenge is situated about 90 miles west of the city centre. 

Cost to visit Stonehenge:In 2023, visiting Stonehenge doesn’t have to break the bank! The entry fee is £20.90 (and £23 with donations) and during peak season you’ll need to pay an additional parking fee of up to £28 per Stonehenge tickets.

Is it Free to Visit Stonehenge?

The short answer is yes, you can visit Stonehenge for free. It can be. There are also ways you can visit without having to pay the normal Stonehenge ticket price every single time. Let’s breakdown all the options you’ll have. 

Detailed Guide On How To Visit Stonehenge for free

Park at Fargo Road to See Stonehenge for Free

Can you walk to Stonehenge for free? Absolutely! Walking is a great alternative way to view Stonehenge, and you won’t have to pay a single penny. 

Step 1: Park Fargo Road (Lark Hill)

Simply plug “Fargo Road, Amesbury, Salisbury, UK” into your GPS. Once you arrive and park your car on the side of Fargo Road, plug Stonehenge into your GPS.

Step 2: Walk Along Public Footpath

Then, switch from the car setting to the walk setting on your GPS.  You’ll then need to walk to Willoughby Road and continue walking south until you reach a narrow gravel path.

Follow this path as it leads straight down into the Stonehenge shuttle bus drop-off point for passengers. There is a pathway to the left which leads you to a viewing location where you can see Stonehenge. Depending on where you park at Fargo Road, you’ll be able to see Stonehenge in under 30 minutes. 

At this point, you might be wondering, but can you just walk up to Stonehenge? The answer is yes, to a certain extent. The closest you can get is about 10 yard from the stones. There are barriers that run around the perimeter to prevent visitors from walking inside the stone circle, touching the stones or seeing the Neolithic houses. 

One thing to keep in mind when selecting this option is that paid ticket holders are able to walk a circular path around the stones – thus being able to see them from every direction, whereas the free public footpath only runs along one side of the stones.

But hey, at least you’ll skip out on the Stonehenge entry fee! 

Walk From Woodhenge to Stonehenge To See Stonehenge for Free

Woodhenge is an ancient henge monument near Stonehenge. While the site is a reconstruction, as the original wooden post holes have been replaced by concrete pillars, it’s still a very interesting site to visit. Walking from Woodhenge to Stonehenge is another free option for seeing the stones.

Sep 1: Park At Woodhenge Free Carpark

Plug “Woodhenge” into your GPS. Once you arrive you’ll find free parking at Woodheng and a well-marked walking path.

Step 2: Walk From Woodhenge To Stonehenge

This path is a bit longer than the one at Fargo Road, but with a nice pair of hiking boots, you can enjoy a lovely stroll through the countryside. The distance is about three kilometres and takes about 90 minutes.

Trek through the field towards the southwest where you’ll find a gate at the end of the field leading west. Follow it until it until the intersection at Kings Barrow, an English Heritage site. Continue walking until your journey reaches another dead-end road with a gate – and here you will find yet another path heading southwestwards.

To get up close and personal with the Stonehenge attraction, simply traverse south along the road just north of its shuttle bus. You will find a gate at the end of the field which leads out onto this path. Follow it to your desired destination!

Once you arrive, the free views you’ll receive of Stonehenge are only a few metres back from the ones you’d get with a paid ticket. 

However, if you do wish to purchase a ticket, you’ll enjoy access to the Stonehenge visitor’s centre and explore Stonehenge at your own pace. This area contains displays about the monuments, an outdoor gallery, a shop, and a cafe. 

Can You See Stonehenge From the Road? 

Yes, you can Stonehenge from the road, but only a quick view of Stonehenge when driving along the A303 Road in both directions. Don’t expect more than a quick glimpse though. You’ll need to keep to the speed limit, and there’s nowhere to pull over or park your car. Taking the time to actually visit Stonehenge will be much more rewarding. 

How to visit Stonehenge for free on the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice is the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s an ancient celebration, as well as an astronomical phenomenon. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere usually takes place on the 20th or 21st of June.  It produces the longest day of the year, or, in other words, the day with the most sunlight. 

Yeah for summer babies, we bring that sunlight ????.

It’s one of the rare occasions where visitors are allowed to enter Stonehenge for free. This even includes access to the inner circle of stones. During the Stonehenge summer solstice, thousands of people gather in and around the ancient stones to celebrate the beginning of summer.

Spending the night is even permitted so visitors can watch the sun rising above the stones in the morning. This event has turned into somewhat of an outdoor festival in recent years, with past numbers reaching up to 10,000 people! 

Paid Ways To See Stonehenge

Seeing Stonehenge with The English Heritage Membership

Purchasing an English Heritage Membership card is another option you’ll have for visiting Stonehenge. The card costs £73.00, but it’s valid for one year.

After you purchase the card, you can visit Stonehenge for free as many times as you’d like, as well as 400 other English Heritage sites around the country. 

Or, you can purchase an English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass. This is a better option for shorter stays in England.

You can buy a 9-day pass for £37.00, or a 16-day pass for £44.00. It includes free access to Stonehenge as many times as you’d like, as well as 100 other sites around the country. If you’re a family visiting Stonehenge, the Family English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass is the best option. It costs £69.00 for 9 days and £79.00 for 16 days. It’s valid for two adults and up to four children under the age of 18 years old. 

This pass is great for all my history buffs and culture vultures.

What is the Best Way to See Stonehenge Free Or Tour?

If you’re planning your visit to Stonehenge and looking for the most convenient option, a Stonehenge tour is your best bet. Tours transport you right to the site and provide a more detailed look at the history of this mysterious stone circle. When you understand something more, you appreciate it more. 

Best Stonehenge Tours From London

Tours take you directly from London right to Stonehenge. They cover your transportation and entry free to Stonehenge.

You can choose between a morning or afternoon tour. You’ll also get to listen to an informative audio guide available in multiple languages will teach you more about this prehistoric stone circle, neolithic houses surrounding landscape is full of barrows – Bronze Age burial mounds and the gift shop. Here are two of the best tour options from London to Stonehenge. 

London: Full-Day Windsor, Stonehenge, and Oxford Tour

On this full-day tour from London discover the royal castle of Windsor, the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge, and the iconic university city of Oxford.

⭐️ RATING: 4.4 out of 5 Stars (1825+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11.5 hours |  🎟️ BOOK NOW

London: Stonehenge and Bath Full-Day Tour

You might also want to consider tours to Bath and Stonehenge from London. You can cover two awesome England attractions in one day.

After spending some time at Stonehenge, you’ll board your tour bus and continue on to Bath and enjoy a bit of free time. Visit Bath Abbey, discover the ancient Roman Baths, and stroll the charming city centre. 

⭐️ RATING: 4.4 out of 5 Stars (790+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours |  🎟️ BOOK NOW

When is the Best Time to Visit Stonehenge?

The best time to visit Stonehenge is outside of peak tourist hours (summer season).

You may also ask can you visit Stonehenge at night? and the answer is yes, however the best time to see the stones if you are looking to take epic photos of them is usually just after sunrise and before sunset. This is called the golden hours, and this is also the best time to take pictures. 

In winter, the sun sets much earlier than in summer, so make sure you plan your time accordingly. I’ve visited the site in the summer months and late winter and if you are visiting in winter, definitely wrap up warm and bring an umbrella, as there is nothing to shelter you from the elements if it starts to rain or sleet. Stonehenge hours vary depending on the seasons see below:

Stonehenge Admission Information – Visitor Centre

Stonehenge Address | Near Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7DE

The visitor centre also has a car park

Pro Tip: Stonehenge gets busy between 11 am and 2 pm and on bank holidays. The quietest times to visit are before 11am and after 2pm.

Stonehenge Advance booking

Save money and avoid disappointment by booking your Stonehenge visit in advance! During peak periods, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to get a ticket on the day. The last entry is two hours before closing time. Members of English Heritage or National Trust England must also reserve a timed slot prior to arriving. Stonehenge prices £23 for adults, with family discounts available; children tickets are just £14 each.

Protip: The last entry into Stonehenge is 2 hours before closing (booking a ticket for 3 pm in the winter Stonehenge closes at 5 pm).

How much is entry to Stonehenge?

Below are Stonehenge ticket prices as of 2023 with advance booking: If you are Members of the National Trust and English Heritage you have free admission into Stonehenge.

Visiting Stonehenge For Free FAQs

What Exactly is Stonehenge? 

Stonehenge is a large man-made circle of standing stones. The site was built thousands of years ago and continued to be constructed over many hundreds of years. It’s one of the world’s most famous and mysterious monuments. 

Sarsen stones were used to construct Stonehenge, which is a silicified sandstone boulder.  About 50 stones remain today, although originally, there were probably many more. Each stone is around four metres high, two metres wide, and weighs around 25 tons. 

No one knows exactly how Stonehenge was built. It’s a question that continues to baffle, and no solid theory has ever been proven. 

Can You Go to Stonehenge Without a Tour?

Yes, you can definitely go to Stonehenge without a tour. If you have a car, you can drive from London to Stonehenge in about two hours. Taking public transport is another option. All major cities and towns in England are serviced by buses and/or trains. 

However, with that being said, Stonehenge lies in the middle of a large, open plateau. If you’re visiting England on vacation and aren’t renting a car, or don’t want to fuss with public transport, a tour will definitely be the easiest way to visit Stonehenge. 

Is the London to Stonehenge Bus Cheap?

Taking the bus from London to Stonehenge is slightly more affordable than taking the train, but it will add more time to your journey. 

Start by taking the bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Salisbury. The ride is about 3 hours and costs about £21.00 for a round trip.

Once you arrive, you’ll need to take the Stonehenge tour bus for the rest of the way. This will cost another £16.00 (round trip) and take about 30 minutes. 

Do You Need Tickets For Stonehenge?

No, you don’t need tickets to see Stonehenge if you do not plan on exploring inside the stone circle, houses or visitor centre.

How to Get to Stonehenge From London by Train

The train to Stonehenge from London is a reliable and economical option. With trains running roughly every 30 minutes during the day, it’s also a flexible way to plan a visit. 

There isn’t a direct train link from London to Stonehenge, the nearest train station is in Salisbury, which is 14 kilometres from Stonehenge. 

The train from London’s Waterloo Station to Salisbury will take about 1.5-hours. Expect a round trip London to Stonehenge train ticket to cost around £37.00, although this price can vary depending on the day and time of your departures. 

Once you arrive in Salisbury, you’ll need to hop on a Stonehenge tour bus. This is a public bus that will take you from Salisbury to Stonehenge Visitors Centre.

It will take another 25 – 30 minutes. The round-trip bus ticket cost £16.00 and is good all day. 

How to Get to Stonehenge From Bath

Stonehenge and the ancient city of Bath are only 35 kilometres apart. Given their close distance, they’re often combined into one trip. Both are iconic England attractions and should not be missed. 

You can drive from Bath to Stonehenge in about one hour, or you can take the train. There’s a direct train line from Bath Spa to Salisbury that will take just under one hour.

Similar to the train route from London, once you arrive in Salisbury, you’ll need to hop on a Stonehenge shuttle bus.

This will take you the rest of the way to Stonehenge Visitors Centre. It will take about 25 – 30 minutes and a roundtrip bus ticket will cost £16.00. 

A tour from Bath to Stonehenge is another option. You’ll get picked up from your hotel in Bath, or from the train station in Bath and be driven straight to Stonehenge. Your private guide will fill you in on even more insight into the history of Stonehenge. 

Stonehenge Free Entry – Guide On How To See Stonehenge For Free

So, is Stonehenge free, in fact? Yes, it can be. If you don’t mind walking through the English countryside, you can walk up to Stonehenge and visit for free.

Or, if you plan a trip during the summer solstice, you can also visit for free.  However, I think it’s safe to say that tours to Stonehenge are a bit more convenient. And, they allow you to learn more about the history and mystery of these ancient monuments.

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