Watch the Sunset Over Stonehenge
Excerpt from the book On a Tall Budget and Short Attention Span from the Teresa the Traveler Series.
We arrived at Stonehenge shortly after it closed and were divided into two groups – each was allotted twenty-minutes in the inner circle. Unable to contain my excitement I joined the first group. I could hardly believe I was about to enter one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world.
Located 13 kilometers north of Salisbury on the English countryside, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is believed to have been erected around 2500 BC, however, previous stone structures on this same site date back to 3100 BC. It is believed that the site was used for religious ceremonies, astronomical observation and for burial, as recent archeological finds indicate.
The giant sarsen stones used to build the outer ring came from Marlborough Down, 20 miles to the north. How these huge rocks, weighing as much as 50 tons each were transported from the quarries to their current location remains a mystery.
According to legend, giants originally carried the rocks from Africa to Ireland believing they had special healing powers.
Located 13 kilometers north of Salisbury on the English countryside, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is believed to have been erected around 2500 BC, however, previous stone structures on this same site date back to 3100 BC. It is believed that the site was used for religious ceremonies, astronomical observation and for burial, as recent archeological finds indicate.
The giant sarsen stones used to build the outer ring came from Marlborough Down, 20 miles to the north. How these huge rocks, weighing as much as 50 tons each were transported from the quarries to their current location remains a mystery.
According to legend, giants originally carried the rocks from Africa to Ireland believing they had special healing powers.
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During the reign of King Arthur, Merlin the Wizard had the stones moved from Ireland to England (with the use of magic) in order to erect a memorial honoring the nobles who had died battling the Saxons.
However, not everyone believes in magic, some believe aliens from outer space were responsible for the placement of the stones. Perhaps the same aliens who built everything from the pyramids to the Nazca Lines. Modern scientists claim the ancient people developed their own technologies which enabled them to move the stones. I believe the stones were moved by giant alien wizards from outer space but I am not a scientist by any means. Once owned by King Henry VIII, Stonehenge changed owners numerous times before it was purchased by the Antrobus family and sold at an auction to Cecil Chubb for £6,600. Chubb was the last private owner of Stonehenge having donated it to the government in 1918. When Stonehenge was first opened to the public, people were allowed full access to the stones. But in 1977, the stones were roped off to prevent further erosion and people were only allowed to view them from a distance. Today, access to the inner circle is only available after regular hours when arranged either through a guided tour or English Heritage. The site has become a place of pilgrimage for neo-druids, pagans, wiccans and other earth-worshiping New Age groups who come to celebrate the summer and winter solstices. At these times the site is open to the public allowing the up to 30,000 celebrants to watch the sunrise from the inner circle. When I returned to the bus, I mentioned to the couple sitting across from me that while we were in the inner circle, I had videotaped them kissing. I asked if they were plotting something more risqué. Couples have attempted to conceive at Stonehenge believing it will bring the baby good luck. Laughing, the young lady told me that her boyfriend had just proposed to her. She explained how earlier in the day she had tossed a coin into the Roman Bath wishing he would propose and hours later he did just that. Apparently the goddess Sulis specializes in stolen hearts as well as stolen goods! 
For tips on visiting England CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting Europe CLICK HERE For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE |
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Where I Stayed...
Easton Hotel 36-40 Belgrave Road London, England Tel: 020 7834 5938 Fax: 020 7976 6560 [email protected] To book this hotel CLICK HERE 
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How to Get There - Fly to London and book a private tour
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