Archaeologists believe the monument originally consisted of a central burial mound, a somber spot where the remains of a sacrificed child were laid to rest, surrounded by six concentric rings of enormous wooden posts. In its prime, these massive timbers are believed to have reached heights of up to 7.5m, creating a towering wooden cathedral that would have dominated the ancient landscape.
STOPS
Woodhenge
On your marks!...
Woodhenge is a truly curious and atmospheric Neolithic monument, situated just two miles north-east of the iconic Stonehenge. For centuries, the secrets of this site remained hidden beneath the soil until it was rediscovered from the air in 1925.
Today, while the original wood has long since decayed, the posts have been replaced with 168 concrete pillars to mark their precise historical positions. As you walk among them, you cannot help but notice the puzzling similarities with the more famous Stonehenge. Both monuments share a significant celestial alignment, featuring entrances that line up perfectly with the midsummer sunrise, and the diameters of the inner timber circles are strikingly comparable to the stone spans nearby.
Why did our ancestors mirror these designs using different materials? Was one a temple for the living and the other for the dead? Archaeologists can't say for sure, and the true purpose of the site remains one of history’s great riddles. So, answers on a postcard, please...
All pictures courtesy of English Heritage.
Address
Woodhenge, Countess Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7AR
Directions from A303
The road journey from Durrington Walls to Woodhenge is incredibly brief, covering a distance of approximately 0.5 miles as you travel south through the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. To begin, exit the area and head south on the A345 (Countess Road), continuing straight for just a few hundred yards before reaching the dedicated parking area for the timber monument. While the drive typically takes only a minute, you may encounter minor delays or congestion along Countess Road during the summer solstice or peak tourism periods, as visitors often slow down to navigate the entrance or search for parking near the roadside markers.
Useful Links
English Heritage: Woodhenge (Opens in new window) Provides a comprehensive visitor guide for this Neolithic site. It features practical information such as free entry, daylight opening hours, and onsite parking details, alongside an overview of the monument's 2500 BC history and its 1925 aerial discovery. Visitors can also find map-based directions, accessibility warnings about uneven surfaces, and a Plan a Great Day Out section linking to nearby attractions like Stonehenge and Old Sarum.
Private chauffeur-driven tour to Woodhenge (Opens in new window) If you’re staying in London, elevate your trip with a private, chauffeur-driven tour to the mysterious Woodhenge. Enjoy a seamless door-to-door experience with a pickup from your hotel, allowing you to relax in luxury while discovering other iconic UK attractions along the way. This bespoke journey also includes a visit to the legendary Stonehenge, giving you a complete and comfortable exploration of Britain's ancient Neolithic landscape.
Previous Stop: Durrington Walls A massive Neolithic henge and former settlement site that once housed the builders of Stonehenge. Today, its vast earthworks offer a compelling landscape for walkers to explore the monumental scale of Britain's prehistoric history.
Next Stop: Sostice Services A major roadside hub on the A303 near Amesbury, ideally located for Stonehenge visitors. It features a wide range of popular dining options including McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Harvester pub. Facilities include a Holiday Inn, a 24-hour Asda petrol station, and extensive EV charging hubs.
