Stonehenge is a preservation site well done. A small pathway leads you – at a distance – around the stones, which sometimes seems a shame, because you’re just dying to get your hands on these stones, to see their true size by leaning against them, to feel the sun’s warmth stored inside. But the barriers also mean that there is never a mass of people blocking your view of the stones or the surrounding fields. You never have to look around someone to see the layout of the stones or the ditches, valleys and holes from earlier layouts of the site.
Everyone is given an audio guide to listen to as they work their way around the site and it really does a great job of getting you to notice the little details, of pointing out the seemingly unrelated features in the larger area, and of relating the theories and fables associated with this 5,000 year old site.
I don’t know who this little girl is, but I love the way she appeared to be playing among the stones.
Having just spent a year reading about and thinking about the ancient world, this was one of the highlights of our trip. The Dad was especially smitten with this place and seemed very sorry to have to have to get back on the bus.
