English Heritage is giving visitors the chance to see Stonehenge without the crowds this August. Anyone booking an advance ticket to the Wiltshire site will be entered into a daily draw, and each winner, along with any members of their group, will be allowed inside the prehistoric stone circle on their own.
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Georgia Butters, English Heritage's Head of Operations for Stonehenge, described the experience as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.
She 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 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."
Details of the draw
Previously, private access to the stone circle was reserved for VIPs or part of a premium guided tour. Now, English Heritage says winners will have a "uniquely personal encounter" with one of the "greatest treasures" in the world.
Visitors must buy a ticket to the World Heritage Site at least three days before they want to arrive. Winners will be notified at least 24 hours ahead and escorted to the monument at 9am each day, with the private visit lasting 30 minutes.
Rules and history
The prize is not exchangeable or transferable, so English Heritage will not offer alternative dates or times to those unable to take up the offer on the morning of their booking. English Heritage members can also enter the draw, but they still need to book a ticket in advance.
A staff member will be on hand to answer questions about the monument, which dates back to around 2,500BC. Work on the site is thought to have begun about 5,000 years ago, and the moving of the stones and its purpose remain a mystery. Its position suggests it was a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun.
