What does it mean when Stonehenge is "closed?"
I was in the UK near Christmas and was planning on going to Stonehenge, but it was apparently closed. I figured that Stonehenge was a natural destination and anyone could basically just drive up to it. So what does it mean when it's "closed?"
Best Answer
Stonehenge the tourist attraction is not just a natural destination. Like many sites that attract large numbers of visitors, there are timed tickets, admission fees, parking areas, a visitor center/exhibit, restroom, cafe, paved paths, shuttle buses, ropes to tell you where you can and can't stand, staff to oversee all this, etc... When the site is closed, that's all shut down. You can see this on a map of the site, which shows the pathways and areas for ticket holders.
However, it is possible to access the area without a ticket, and you can still see the stones from outside the ticketed area on a nearby road (though as noted in that article, parking on the road is not permitted) or if you hike in. This blog post provides further details and illustrates the view from outside the fence and its proximity to the paid area (which is also some distance away from the stones, except for special tours and the solstices).
Pictures about "What does it mean when Stonehenge is "closed?""
What is the message behind Stonehenge?
Stonehenge built as a symbol of peace and unity, British researchers suggest. The creation of the mysterious monument and the culture built around it suggests Stonehenge was thought as a symbol of unity in late Neolithic Europe, British researchers say.When did they close off Stonehenge?
The Department of the Environment, which then managed Stonehenge, was concerned that the resulting erosion of ground surfaces would be detrimental to the site's long-term preservation. As a result, in 1977 the stone circle was closed off behind a fence.What is the mystery around Stonehenge?
Researchers say the site was created based on a solar year of 365.25 days to help people keep track of days, weeks and months. The mystery of Stonehenge may finally have been unravelled by researchers who say it's a giant solar calendar that may link the UK to ancient Egypt.Why Stonehenge is significant and what it tells us about this early society?
A World Heritage Site Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, while Avebury is the largest in the world. Together with inter-related monuments and their associated landscapes, they help us to understand Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial and mortuary practices.Wait, what? Stonehenge is closed? #tamisweekendgetaways
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Craig Adderley, John Nail, Pixabay, Pixabay