From the shiny sunshine of radiant Portugal to the crisp and cool air of England, no matter the season, there is always another amazing spectacle to see.
When I first came to the UK, one of the foremost English heritage sights I wanted to see was Stonehenge. Perhaps it’s because of the mystery that surrounds it, or the fact that it is one of the most sublime engineering feats of its time, either way the idea of visiting it for the first time absolutely thrilled me.
I finally had the opportunity to check it off my bucket list on a beautiful autumn day. Though the sun was blazing, the breeze going through the plains felt incredibly frosty. In fact, although the temperature has continued to go down since, I still cannot forget how absolutely piercing the wind felt that day.
Fashion Tip: Whether it is summer, spring, winter or fall, do wear proper outerwear that is both comfortable and warm.
Style Details
Outerwear | ZARA (similar)
Top & Bottom | ZARA (similar skirt here)
Handbag | CHANEL
Sunglasses | CÉLINE
Stonehenge, famously known as a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the wonders of the world, features two types of stones – the larger sarsen stones and the smaller ‘bluestones’ whose origins people today still do not know. It was interesting for me to discover that the altar stone is actually red sandstone that comes from Wales.
Now, the great question lies in how the Neolithic people built it using rudimentary tools and technologies accessible to them. To raise a stone, the people had to dig up a hole with a sloping side before being hauled into position and lifted up using plant-fiber ropes and conclusively loaded securely with debris. Five Neolithic homes are also available for viewing for travelers who would like to witness how the builders of Stonehenge once lived.
Travel Tip: Visit the Neolithic homes before dusk to have a clear view and take well-lit photos inside the homes.
There are many significant meanings to Stonehenge. Some say it was built by magicians. For some it was once a healing temple, for others a Roman temple, and could even perhaps been a primitive calendar for calculating the dates of eclipses. Today, it is most commonly known as an ancient burial site.
Fact: Stonehenge provides an understanding into the funerary and ceremonial traditions in England in the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
The tour starts with a shuttle that transports guests from the entrance point where the museum and the Neolithic homes lie. Vacationers are dropped off near Stonehenge where the audio-tour begins. From there, out-of-towners are expected to do a 360 lap around the stones providing different perspectives from various angles. From the distance, sightseers are able to view what’s called the boroughs, small round hills where ancients buried the dead seen all around the property. Far-reaching sunset views here are the most magical.
There are plenty of tour buses coming from London to Stonehenge but I think that there is something truly quite exhilarating about driving in the English countryside. While it could prove to be quite challenging since I am used to driving on the opposite side of the road, the views along the way are so peaceful, serene and so quintessentially British. I would recommend that all drivers be knowledgeable of who has the right of way on roundabouts as well as being fully alert at all times as the speed limits change quite frequently.
Travel Tip: It takes two hours by car from London to Stonehenge. It is best to allot ample time as in England, if you miss an exit, it could take a few miles before drivers are able to turn around. There is onsite parking in Stonehenge.
There are also nighttime tours at Stonehenge. As if seeing these momentous stones for the first time is not an out of this world event enough, imagine a smashing setting like this under a splendid starry night. Surely, it’s enough for one to feel other-worldly in some way. Mind-blowing is a pretty realistic account of how it felt like walking in the paths of the ancient in a panoramic display of this scale. An abstract, ethereal design by the old world, Stonehenge is as transcendent as it is extraordinary.
