Stonehenge

Stonehenge was built in stages over many centuries, beginning around 3000 BC, and its great sarsen stones were raised around 2500 BC. Some of the smaller bluestones were brought from the Preseli Hills in Wales, more than 200 kilometres away; how, nobody knows for certain.

A shuttle runs from the visitor centre, where reconstructed Neolithic houses and an exhibition explain the site, to the stones themselves. A path circles the monument, with an audio guide to explain it as you walk. The stones are aligned with the sunrise at the summer solstice and the sunset at the winter solstice.

Stonehenge is about two hours from London by road and combines well with Windsor or the Roman Baths in Bath. Bring a jacket, as Salisbury Plain is open and windy.