Inside Stonehenge’s latest attraction, a 4,500-year-old ‘hall’

Sure, we’ve all taken a trip to Stonehenge. As one of the most iconic monuments in the UK (if not the entire world) the prehistoric stone circle has been the site of many a school trip and a family day out. 

But if you thought you’d seen all there was to see of the ancient structure, think again. After 4,000 years of history, in 2026 Stonehenge is getting an upgrade. Yep, from this summer, as well as the ring of mysterious grey pillars, you’ll also be able to visit a seven-metre-high Neolithic hall. 

Ok, we should mention that the structure you’ll be seeing is actually a recreation, but it’s a pretty damn accurate one. The Kusuma Neolithic Hall, as it’s called, is based on archaeological findings from two miles away, at a site where researchers uncovered a large prehistoric structure dating back 4,500 years. A team of more than 100 volunteers have spent nine months on a project to reconstruct what they believe the building would have looked like, using historically accurate tools and materials – like thatch, coppiced timber and chalk daub – to build it. Sounds pretty olde to us.

Researchers aren’t sure what the original structure was used for, but excavations have found thousands of animal bones and pottery, suggesting it was likely a site for big feasts, celebrations and potentially even burial rituals. 

The reconstruction project, which cost £1 million to complete, is currently in its final stages. As for when you can plan your first visit, the exact date of its grand opening hasn’t been revealed yet, but we do know it’ll be open in time for the summer. 

Plus, come September the building will be used as a living-history learning space for school kids, with the aim of getting them passionate about prehistory and nerdy about all things neolithic. With space for up to 30 students, they’ll get to handle replica tools, try out cooking and crafts and make like the prehistoric peeps, recreating a day in the life of someone who lived four and a half millennia ago. 

You can check out more about the new structure at the English Heritage website here. 

Did you see that this is the greatest museum in Britain in 2026, according to Time Out editors?

Plus: a new stargazing experience is launching at a national park in northern England.