Bus to and from Stonehenge

Stonehenge is not only one of Britain’s most popular landmarks, but one of its greatest unsolved mysteries. The prehistoric monument is made up of approximately 100 massive stones in a circular layout. Historians and scholars have dedicated years of study to try to answer many of the questions surrounding it, such as how Stonehenge was constructed by a society that predates the wheel and why it was built in the first place.

Archaeologists speculate that Stonehenge was built in numerous stages over a period spanning at least 1500 years. The Earliest construction is believed to have been 5000 years ago by Neolithic Britons who used primitive tools to dig the initial bank. Later generations eventually added the Welsh bluestones, 43 of which remain today, and sarsen sandstone slabs. Radiocarbon dating suggests that work on the monument continued until 1600 BC.

The 12th century writer, Geoffrey Monmouth, famous for his mythical tale of King Arthur, believed that Stonehenge was created by the wizard Merlin, a speculation that was accepted well into the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, archaeologist John Aubrey, thought that the formation was built by Celtic high priests known as Druids. However, evidence has proven that Stonehenge existed over 1000 years before the Celts inhabited the region and today, many historians believe that a culmination of different tribes contributed to its construction.

Even though many academics agree the site was extremely important, no one can really say why it was built. Some believe it is a ceremonial site, a royal burial ground or a memorial. In the 1960s, astronomer Gerald Hawkins claimed the stones were used as a calendar and corresponded to solstices, equinoxes and eclipses. The most recent theory is that the stones were considered a place of healing, based on the belief that bluestones were thought to have healing powers.

Today, the mysterious stones attract almost a million visitors every year, and the site was listed as a UNESCO World heritage site. Stonehenge is easily accessible by bus. National Express provides direct routes from cities around the UK. Those looking for a guided tour can travel with Golden Tours, which departs from London, and offers roundtrip tours.