Suddenly, Stonehenge – In Photos
Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete Heck
“Is that it?” Dalene asked as we motored along the A303 and saw an outline of what looked like the famous rocks previously seen only on TV programs and in travel books.
“I don’t really know, I guess so,” I responded. We shared perplexed looks with the other occupants of our car – Dalene’s cousin David and his partner Trevor who just happened to be visiting London during the first couple days of our stay there. We all admitted to expecting a mystical walk through shady trees to find a hidden, prehistoric display of stones. It couldn’t be, could it? I mean this was touted as one of the top day trips from London to experience.
We just weren’t expecting to just suddenly come upon it on the side of a very busy motorway.
But, that was it! As we approached, the hordes of tourists taking photographs and wandering the fenced-in field confirmed it.
We parked the car and joined the sheep for our Stonehenge experience.
The monument is believed to have been created between 3000BC and 1600BC and the exact purpose still remains a mystery. It is suggested that the henge (a prehistoric monument built in a circular area with standing stone) was built for religious meetings and celebrations. The unique formation is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset and is a source of fascination for many people. There are also some pretty crazy theories out there suggesting that aliens or the devil constructed the henge for purposes unknown.
Regardless of who built it and for what purpose – it is quite a sight to see. And as we entered the field, I wondered to myself, watching all the other tourists snap hundreds of photos, how many different photos of a pile of rocks can one person take?
A lot, I found out. And here are just some of them!
Touring is always most fun when with ones you love. Thanks Dave & Trev for an awesome day and sharing part of your vacation with us!
Great photo shots!
I really like that last photo!
I feel like Stonehenge is one of those “must-see” tourist sites that is a “must-see” for a reason. Even though it’s very touristy, you kind of can’t skip it! It’s definitely going on my list of things to visit when I’m in the UK next summer.
Thanks Amanda, that’s my fave as well 🙂 It really is a “must see” despite the crazy amount of tourists.
So jealous. Q & I only had 3 days in the UK when we went backpacking a couple years back. We really wanted to see Stonehedge but were stuck to London. Great photos. Next time!
Thanks Gerard, I’m sure you;ll be back to experience it sometime 🙂
When I went there last year, I was also surprised about how small it is; I was expecting it to be much bigger! Still worth it, if you are around 🙂
Same here, I was expecting the stones to be much bigger. Impressive still none the less 🙂
Nice rocks!
I am British and so ashamed to say that I have never seen Stonehenge! 🙁
It’s not the easiest place to get to, I actually understand 🙂
So pretty! That damn motorway right along the stones is so bizarre – in my opinion it really takes away some of the “wonder” from the experience… even though I still thought Stonehenge was pretty rad. 🙂
Yes, that damn motorway. Takes away from the experience for sure. But I agree, rad it was 😉
I love the last photo! There is a modern replica of Stonehenge in New Zealand. I haven’t visited it yet though!
I had not heard that. If you visit take lots of photos, I would like to see 🙂
i felt that way, too – surprised that it was right there, and amazed by the crowds. great shot of all of you!!
Thanks, we love that photo too. It was great to visit with some family that just happened to be in London at the exact same time.
They look so beautiful from a distance, the clear blue skies and the lush green grass…
You have captured them well, they are intriguing…
Thanks Arti! The sky and clouds really cooperated with us that day. They are certainly intriguing.
Great photo’s, hope to go next year!
Photos of people taking photos… my favorite!
I’ve got quite a few photos of that pile of rocks myself 🙂
The rocks are nice, but what is that you have around your neck pete?
haha, thanks Lawrence. I’m glad someone asked! It was a scarf that I received as a gift that I promised to take around the world with us.
Ha! If no one else had asked about that, I was for sure going to!!! It’s rather, um, noticeable… and, um, interesting… 😀
Nice photos, too!! A sunny day in the UK – yay!
A sunny day – yes, we actually lucked out with our three weeks in the UK, barely any rain at all! And I needed the scarf that day, it was kind of chilly. 🙂
Definitely need to get down there and see it from Edinburgh. Better add it to our bucket list otherwise we might forget, too busy run around to other countries when great sites like this exist in the backyard!
It happens to the best of us, so many things around my home that I haven’t done either!
I was there as a teenager and LOVED it. I didn’t get back during this trip to the UK but your post has taken me back. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Great photos. Can’t wait to check out Stonehenge when I finally make it to the UK! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I LOVED stonehenge, but I know a lot of people are underwhelmed by it. The best part is that it is easy to angle all the people out of your shots by using the stones themselves! haha
Yes, if you removed the stones in my shots, there are definitely people hiding behind them 🙂
dang it! still haven’t made it there 🙁
Love the photos that include all of the tourists though 🙂 haha
One of our favorite things is to take photos of tourists taking photos! Haha – someday we’ll do a whole photo post on it… 🙂
I went to Stonehenge last June, and I fell in love with it… The power, mystery, and karma encircles me everytime I imagine I am there again. I don’t know why I have such a fascination with it. I love this site.
Glad you had such a great experience there!
I’ve always found Stonehenge a bit “is that it?” — particularly because of the scale of the visitors centre and the way it’s all sort of sealed off… Great pics, though
Thanks Theodora – we said exactly that when we drove up. I just couldn’t believe that it was all on the side of a such a busy highway! I wanted to walk through some mystical forest with a shroud of fog to see it. Haha, if only everything was like I wanted it to be… 🙂
Seeing your photos reminds me that I need to go see Stonehenge rather than merely driving past occasionally. As I live only half an hour away it does seem rather remiss of me to miss out on them
Love the pictures! I’ve always wanted to go see Stonehenge