Stonehenge's legendary history including myths, giants and wizards

21 June 2023 , 10:16

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Stonehenge monument (Image: Getty)

Stonehenge has stood proud for thousands of years, long being the stuff of myths and legends.

Located in the small town of Amesbury, the mysterious rock formation draws in thousands of visitors every year, but is particularly popular on the summer solstice, when crowds gather there to mark the longest day of the year.

In fact in 2023, the heritage site welcomed approximately 8,000 people.

However, to this day the impressive site continues to puzzle historians who have tried to establish why it was built and make sense of its unique pattern.

There are plenty of theories that have been passed around for years, but what do we actually know about Stonehenge so far?

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1. The monument sits on the outskirts of the small town of Amesbury in Wiltshire, approximately two miles west.

2. For thousands of years it's been the spot where crowds gather to celebrate the summer solstice; in fact, Stonehenge is seen by Druids as a sacred place of worship and for some the summer solstice is a religious festival.

3. It's believed to have been originally been built in 3100BC, but research suggests it has been rebuilt numerous times before eventually being left in its final stage in the early Bronze Age.

4. Although the purpose of Stonehenge is still a mystery, most historians agree that it was built as a burial site.

Stonehenge (Getty)

5. How it was built is still a mystery, and there are many myths and legends surrounding the subject - after all, the massive stones would not have been easy to move around! However, one legend claims that it was giants who built it in Ireland, before legendary wizard Merlin used magic to bring it to England.

6. The sheer size of the stones is in itself pretty impressive - but their weight is jaw-dropping, with some of the larger stones weighing almost as much as four elephants.

7. It's not the only monument in the area; in fact the region is home to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site where you'll find other historic wonders such as Woodhenge, a monument made from timber.

8. While they all look quite similar at a glance, there are actually two types of stone that make up the monument; Sarsen and bluestone.

How to visit Stonehenge

How to get there: It's a two-mile total walk from the main visitor centre (there and back) if you want to visit by foot. The National Trust has guided trails and walks that let you see the best of the surrounding scenery in the process. If you don't want to walk you can go by car - parking is free if you've got a ticket to visit Stonehenge - and there are some shuttle buses that take you closer to the site.

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Ticket prices: Adult tickets start from £20.90 and child tickets from £12.70, or you can buy family tickets for 2 adults and 3 children for £54.50. Click here for booking details.

Where to stay: There are plenty of local hotels in Amesbury if you're looking for an overnight stay. For example, there's the cosy B&B Fairlawn House with double rooms from £60 per night, or if you're on a budget there's Travelodge Amesbury a stone's throw from Stonehenge. Tripadvisor also has a handy guide to the best hotels near Stonehenge if you're looking to make a long weekend of it.

Julie Delahaye