Woodhenge

Woodhenge is a Neolithic timber monument and henge, roughly 4,500 years old, located in the Stonehenge World Heritage site. It was originally composed of six concentric rings of massive wooden posts (up to 9 metres high) surrounded by a bank and ditch. Today, the decayed timber has been replaced by concrete markers to show the original layout.

Visiting Woodhenge
Location: It is situated in Durrington, Wiltshire, approximately 2 miles northeast of Stonehenge.
What to Do: Visitors can walk among the markers, visualize the ancient “timber temple,” and explore the surrounding earthworks. It is a popular spot for picnics and geocaching.
Duration: Typically, a visit lasts between 10 to 60 minutes. It is often combined with a walk to the nearby Cuckoo Stone or Durrington Walls.
Best Suited To: History enthusiasts, families (children often enjoy climbing the markers), and those seeking a quieter, more personal prehistoric experience than the crowded Stonehenge.

Best Times to Go
Solstices: Like Stonehenge, Woodhenge is aligned with the summer solstice sunrise, making it a significant time for a visit.
Daily Timing: Early morning or evening provides the most atmospheric experience and helps avoid any small groups.
Season: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) offer beautiful landscape colours with fewer tourists.

What Makes it Unique
Unlike the “clean” monument of Stonehenge, Woodhenge was a site of active ritual deposits; archaeologists found pottery, animal bones, and even human remains in the post holes. It offers a “timber” counterpart to the stone circles, showing that prehistoric people used different materials for similar ceremonial purposes across the landscape.

Benefits and Membership Offers
Entry Fee: Woodhenge is free to enter for everyone and does not require a ticket or booking.
Membership Benefits: While entry is free, English Heritage Members receive:
Free parking at nearby sites like Stonehenge (which usually requires a paid ticket).
25% off annual memberships if joining before April 8, 2026.
Free entry for up to six children with one adult member.
Discounts at partner attractions in the South West.
Local Offers: Residents in surrounding parishes may be eligible for a Stonehenge Local Residents Pass, providing free entry to the nearby Stonehenge visitor centre.