Stonehenge Nearest Town: Amesbury Certainly the best known of all megalithic sites, Stonehenge stands in isolation on the undulating chalk of Salisbury Plain, west of Amesbury, between the busy A303 and A344 roads. At first sight this unique and enigmatic site appears smaller than imagined, but the tallest upright stone is 6.7m (22ft) high, with another 2.4m (8ft) below ground. Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site owned by English Heritage. This conservation organization, along with the National Trust (which owns 587ha of land surrounding the monument), is working towards removing the A344 road and improving the landscape around the stones. Their aim is to restore Stonehenge to its isolated dignity. In fact, as one of the most visited monument in England, the site is always overwhelmed with tourists. The best approach is early in the morning or in the evening, when it is not open to the public. There are magnificent views of the monument coming by car from the A303. In the Salisbury Museum are objects found during excavations at Stonehenge and an original William Turner painting of the site. As well as the everyday opening of Stonehenge for tourists, who travel from all over the world to view the stones from behind a rope barrier, erected to protect the stones from vandalism, there are four annual, free, Managed Open Accesses to Stonehenge, for sunrise on both solstices and equinoxes, when it is possible to go right inside and touch the stones. Check English Heritage's website for the dates of the next managed open access.
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