Stonehenge is offering free private tours for the first time in over 100 years

Stonehenge is one of Britain’s best known attractions. So, naturally, tourists visit in their thousands (an estimated 3,800-4,000 people stop by every single day). Normally, you can only see the ancient structures from behind a barrier but this month, for the first time in 125 years, the general public have the chance to step inside the inner circle and see the stones up close. 

English Heritage recently began offering small group guided tours around the Stone Circle with the opportunity to book it out for £1,475, so if you have the cash, you can already explore the ancient monument without hoards of other tourists around. However, this is the very first time since 1901 that private tours are available at no extra cost.  

Every day throughout August, there will be an opportunity for one group of visitors to experience Stonehenge with no other tourists around and to get close enough to the stones to see their delicate carvings and the ‘really rare lichen’ that grows on them. If you buy an advance ticket for the attraction, you will automatically be in with a chance of winning the experience for you and your party. 

You’ll need to purchase your ticket at least 72 hours ahead of travel in order to be entered into the prize draw and winners will be notified at least 24 hours ahead of time. It does require an early start – you’ll be taken around the monument by your tour guide at 9am and be finished by 9.30am, before thousands of other tourists descend. 

After strolling around the stone circle, you and your party will be treated to a breakfast roll and hot drink. Then you’ll be left to continue your day out wandering around the Stonehenge exhibition or taking part in the fairground games, circus skills workshops or puppet shows that are going on as part of the attraction’s Great British Summer event. 

Georgia Butters, English Heritage’s Head of Operations for Stonehenge, said: ‘Stonehenge is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and a bucket-list destination for millions of people across the globe – but very few people have ever experienced the monument in complete peace and quiet.

‘This is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand within the ancient stones with no one else around, soaking up the atmosphere and spirituality of this remarkable place.’

Book your tickets to Stonehenge to be in with a chance of getting it all to yourself here. 

Did you see that Stonehenge is getting a brand new prehistoric attraction? 

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