Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
United Kingdom ·
Description
Stonehenge is prehistory's most photographed mystery. 25-ton stones were transported 240 km to create an astronomical observatory that aligns summer solstice sunrise with millennial precision. No one knows exactly how or why. 30 km away, Avebury is even larger but less famous, and you can walk among the stones.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Stonehenge and Avebury are the world's most sophisticated prehistoric stone circles. The surrounding landscape contains 5,000-year-old barrows and monuments. They demonstrate advanced Neolithic astronomical knowledge.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being the world's most sophisticated prehistoric stone circles with astronomical significance.
It was inscribed in 1986 under criteria (i), (ii) and (iii).
Not at Stonehenge (except special sunrise access); at Avebury you can walk among them.
Neolithic peoples over 1,500 years (3000-1500 BC); not Druids, who came later.
Summer solstice (June 21) allows sunrise access, but crowded; spring or fall better.