Save Stonehenge

Stonehenge's GBP27m makeover will end its days as a traffic island

Wed,11 Jul 2012

A belated link to a recent Guardian article about current plans for the site.

Funding for Stonehenge improvements

Mon, 4 Apr 2011

It seems the UK government is willing to allow alternative funding for the proposed small-scale improvements at Stonehenge, including grassing over the A344 road that runs next to the stones. Read more in this Guardian article!

(Belated) Stonehenge Update: October 2010

Mon, 20 Dec 2010

Here's the latest update on the current plans from Kate Fielden, courtesy of Rescue News#111, published in October 2010 .

Travelling to Stonehenge for the Winter Solstice?

Wed, 1 Dec 2010

Why not make the experience better for everyone: leave the car at home and go by public transportation. It couldn't be easier! The journey planner on our "Stonehenge travel information" page will automatically generate a complete travel plan for trips to Stonehenge by public transport from any destination in the UK--just type in your postcode. It's powered by the UK government's Transport Direct database and it's super easy to use.

DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF THE STONEHENGE PROJECT AFTER WITHDRAWAL OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING

Thu, 1 July 2010

A statement on the English Heritage website says: "At their meeting on 29th and 30th June, English Heritage Commissioners discussed the future of the Stonehenge Environmental Improvement Project following the Government's decision on 17 June to withdraw Government funding. Commissioners decided that over the Summer/Autumn, English Heritage should continue to explore alternative funding from non-Government sources. In the meantime, as the planning process is so nearly completed, the organisation will use money raised from private sources to complete the final few planning stages, without making irreversible financial commitment to the scheme's future. Completing the planning stages ensures a tidy and cost-efficient break-point between preparation and implementation of the scheme. It also allows more time to explore alternative funding. Having worked for so many years to achieve the desperately needed transformation of Stonehenge, Commissioners are very anxious that every possible avenue is pursued."

English Heritage: "Thank you for supporting Stonehenge"

Mon, 21 June 2010

A message on the English Heritage website says: "English Heritage would like to thank all those who have sent us encouraging words of support and ideas for raising funds for the Stonehenge Visitor Centre Project. Despite the setback of the withdrawal of Government funding announced on 17 June, we are pleased to see so many people believe that it is the right thing to do and that our nation's most beloved monument deserves investment. We are taking forward urgent discussions with the Department for Culture Media and Sport and our partners in the project, and our Commissioners will be meeting at the end of this month to decide on the future of the project. We will keep you posted here."

In pictures: Stonehenge summer solstice 2010

Mon, 21 June 2010

BBC News has half a dozen pictures of the gloriously sunny solstice celebrations earlier today. Meanwhile the Guardian carries an interview with King Arthur about the scrapping of the latest visitor centre plans. Browse other news stories about the Stonehenge solstice on Google News.

New Stonehenge scheme scrapped!

Thu, 17 June 2010

The latest plans for Stonehenge have just joined all the other plans for Stonehenge, falling victim to sweeping government budget cuts. There's no official statement from English Heritage on what will happen next; that's expected to follow in a week or two. Read other versions of this story in the Salisbury Journal, and on 24dash.

Travelling to Stonehenge for the Solstice?

Tue, 25 May 2010

Please leave the car at home and go by public transporation. It couldn't be easier! The journey planner on our "Stonehenge travel information" page will automatically generate a complete travel plan for trips to Stonehenge by public transport from any destination in the UK. It's powered by the UK government's Transport Direct database and it's quite brilliant!

Stonehenge May 2010 update

Wed, 19 May 2010

Here's the latest update on the current plans from Kate Fielden, courtesy of Rescue.

Stonehenge January 2010 update (a bit late!)

Sun, 21 Mar 2010

Here's the latest update on the current plans from The Stonehenge Alliance.

New Stonehenge plans

Tue, 6 Oct 2009

English Heritage has another, more modest website to promote its latest plans. No "Stonehenge Master Plan" this time, no "Stonehenge Project". Just a simple site called "Stonehenge Visitor Centre". There are rough sketches of the plans on it at the moment and we hope detailed designs will follow soon.

Stonehenge solution edges nearer

Mon, 5 Oct 2009

English Heritage et al are about to announce the latest plans for Stonehenge -- essentially closing the A344 road next to the stones (as we always insisted they could do, very easily) and building a smaller-scale visitor centre. The plan will still have to go through the usual planning process, so it could take some time to deliver.

Public exhibitions of the new Stonehenge visitor centre

Tue, 4 Jul 2009

Will English Heritage get it right this time? Or will they screw it up yet again? Who knows! People living near the monument can get an advance taster of what's in store at public exhibitions of the new plans. They're on Saturday 11th July (Amesbury, the town nearest to Stonehenge), Mon 13-Fri 17 July (at Stonehenge itself), and Saturday 18th July (in Shrewton, a village near Stonehenge).

Travelling to Stonehenge for the Solstice?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009

New Stonehenge plans announced

Wed, 13 May 2009

The government has announced its replacement plan for Stonehenge: a smaller-scale visitor centre in a new location and the closure of the A344 road that passes very near to the stone circle. But the whole thing is still subject to the usual planning process...

Lord Kennet (1923-2009)

Sun, 10 May 2009

We were very sorry to hear the sad news that Lord Kennet (Wayland Young) died on Thursday, 7th May 2009. As most of you will know, Lord Kennet and his wife Elizabeth Young have been absolutely sterling campaigners for Stonehenge, Avebury, and their associated sites for many, many years. Lord Kennet was the first chairman of the Stonehenge Alliance, which led the fight against the Stonehenge road scheme, and later became its patron. We send our condolences to the family.

Beltane at Thornborough Henge 2009

Sat, 28 Mar 2009

We're very happy, once again, to remind you that it'll soon be time to celebrate "Beltane at Thornborough Henge 2009". It's the annual celebration of seasonal change and ancient mystery at one of Britain's most important prehistoric sacred sites! Sunday May 3rd - Main Ceremony Starts at 12 Noon. Admission FREE - Everyone Welcome! What to do and what to bring: Beltane at Thornborough Henge is an annual gathering of people of diverse beliefs and all ages who come together to celebrate the beginning of summer and the beauty, magic and mystery of our ancient landscape. We encourage everyone to dress-up in their most exotic festival clothing: cloaks, head-dresses, masks and other costumes help to create the real spirit of Beltane! Anyone attending the event is also welcome to 'do their own thing' and celebrate Beltane in their own way. Musicians, performers, didgeridoo players and drummers, please come along and help us to raise energy on the day. Find out more on the Sacred Brigantia website (follow the main link from this feed).

Stonehenge up close!

Sat, 28 Mar 2009

A new tour of Stonehenge lets you walk among the stones, albeit if you book early and pay a price. Ginny McGrath investigates in this article from The Times, with a nice two-minute video clip showing what's in store.

Travelling to Stonehenge for the Winter Solstice?

Sat, 29 Nov 2008

The Material World: Stonehenge

Thu, 16 Oct 2008

Quention Cooper's (usually excellent) BBC Radio 4 science progrmame, The Material World, is looking at Stonehenge today, Thursday 16 October at 16:30pm (UK time):

"Quentin Cooper finds out how prehistoric cattle teeth may provide vital clues to unlocking the enduring mystery of what went on at Stonehenge. New archaeological evidence suggests that Stonehenge was a place of pilgrimage in prehistoric times. Cattle teeth found at Durrington Walls, a massive circular earthwork near to Stonehenge, suggest that the animals were herded there from distant parts of Britain. The results add to increasing evidence that people may have visited Stonehenge periodically. Quentin asks experts Jane Evans and Prof Michael Parker Pearson what it was that drew people to the site."

If you're outside the UK, you can catch up with the programme online through the BBC website or listen for up to 7 days afterward online with the BBC iPlayer.

Archaeologists carbon date Stonehenge to 2300 BCE

Mon, 22 Sep 2008

Stonehenge is 300 years younger than previously supposed according to the latest findings of carbon dating research by Profs Tim Darvill and Geoff Wainwright. The findings will be discussed in a BBC Timewatch special to be broadcast on BBC Two at 2005 BST on Saturday 27 September.

What's happening on Stonehenge in Autumn 2008?

Thu, 18 Sep 2008

Kate Fielden presents her occasional round-up of the latest developments covering the revision of the Stonehenge WHS Management Plan and the current consultation on visitor-facilities.

UN threatens to act against Britain for failure to protect heritage sites

Mon, 8 Sep 2008

According to this article in The Guardian, the UNESCO is taking a bit more interest in Britain's failure to protect seven world heritage sites (including Stonehenge, the Tower of London, the City of Bath, and the old town of Edinburgh). Where Stonehenge is concerned, Brtain has now procrastinated for over 22 years! Quite what the UN wants to happen at Stonehenge is another matter. Its official UK-representative, ICOMOS, opposed government plans for the Stonehenge road scheme that was finally scrapped last December.

Celebrate Beltane at Thornborough Henge 2008

Mon, 24 Mar 2008

We're pleased to remind you that it will soon be time to celebrate Beltane at Thornborough Henge once again. Beltane at Thornborough Henge is an informal gathering for anyone who wants to celebrate the beginning of summer and the beauty and magic of the land we live in! It's happening on Sunday 4th May 2008, main Ceremony Starts 1pm. Admission FREE. Everyone Welcome! Find out more on the Sacred Brigantia website.

Stonehenge: The final insult

Wed, 5 Mar 2008

Jonathan Jones rehashes old arguments and covers a lot of old ground in this Guardian article. He commits the very sin he complains about by emphasizing polarized viewpoints instead of common ground. A genuine consensus has been slowly emerging on smaller-scale improvements, but there's no mention of that here.

Arriving soon at Stonehenge: 480 trucks a day from Tesco's 'megashed'

Sat, 23 Feb 2008

There are fears that a massive new Tesco distribution centre near Andover could put pressure on the A303 near Stonehenge. Plans like this may, of course, have been driving the now-cancelled road improvements all along... and could put pressure back on for a road upgrade in future.

Achievable Stonehenge: revisited

Sun, 30 Dec 2007

Our friends at Heritage Action have updated their Achievable Stonehenge alert page. Take a look and find out how you can help secure the future of Britain's best-known sacred site.

Stonehenge winter solstice: the clouds have lifted!

Sat, 22 Dec 2007

Hundreds of people have gathered to mark the winter solstice at Stonehenge. It's the first time in about a decade that people have been able to celebrate without thinking: "Is this the last time the World Heritage Site will remain intact?" The recently cancelled tunnel/road scheme has threatened major construction in the WHS since 1998. Now that threat has been lifted!

Toward a solution for Stonehenge

Tue, 11 Dec 2007

Friends of the Earth's South West campaigner Mike Birkin wrote a handy little briefing about the transport issues facing Stonehenge back in May of this year and it's well worth another look. This is what Mike had to say about the way forward: TOWARDS A SOLUTION FOR STONEHENGE Friends of the Earth and partners in the Stonehenge Alliance believe the key principles for future developments at Stonehenge are: * Stonehenge is more important than the A303. The requirements for long term protection and management of the Stonehenge landscape -- that is, the World Heritage Site as a whole -- must take precedence over other considerations. * Nothing irreversible should be done which further damages the physical fabric of the World Heritage Site. This would rule out any above ground road widening within the site boundary. * Transport measures should aim principally to reduce traffic, carbon emissions and other adverse impacts of road transport. We propose the following measures, which may or may not be thought of as "intermediate", to fit in with these principles and improve the setting and experience of Stonehenge: * Closure of the junction of the A303 and A344 and removal of the A344 between this junction and the present visitor centre. This has benefits for the safety of road travellers and removes the road which passes closest to the stones. * Comprehensive speed management on the A303 from Countess Roundabout to the western end of Winterbourne Stoke. * Retention of the visitor centre on its present site. Plans for a new centre at Countess are dependent on major road upgrades and associated with new infrastructure within the World Heritage Site. Removal of the A344 allows much more scope to re-design the present facilities. * A high intensity travel plan for Stonehenge to incentivise and maximise the proportion of visitors arriving by public transport, coach, cycle or on foot. * A corridor travel plan for the A303 as a whole to reduce road traffic and its impacts.

What next for Stonehenge?

Sun, 9 Dec 2007

With the tunnel scheme now cancelled, our alternatives page summarizes the problems that remain to be solved and how we could make a start on tackling them.

MPs debate Stonehenge decision

Fri, 7 Dec 2007

MPs held a quick debate about the announcement yesterday. There was a striking amount of party politics and hot air from the Tories (predictably) and the Lib-Dems (who pretend to know better, but will always support roads in their own constituencies). None of these politicians apparently care about climate change and the impact of building new roads that increase traffic and CO2 emissions. None of them apparently studied the YouGov poll on 28 November, in which a huge majority of those questioned (2:1) said they wanted public transport improvements rather than roads. (You can find out more about that survey at www.bettertransport.org.uk)

Media reactions to Stonehenge decision

Thu, 6 Dec 2007

There's been lots of coverage of the decision in the papers with fairly predictable reactions from all sides. As usual, the motoring lobby organizations are claiming to speak up for Stonehenge's best interests--something they do, of course, hold very dear to their heart! We'll be posting more press reactions, statements, and news releases on this page as they appear.

"International jubilation" as GBP540-million Stonehenge road scheme is finally scrapped

Thu, 6 Dec 2007

Yes folks, here's the news we've waited almost 10 years for! The Stonehenge road tunnel scheme is finally scrapped. For now, at least, Stonehenge is "saved".