Probably the most famous henge in the world, Stonehenge continues to amaze and inspire the many thousands of visitors who come to see it for themselves. The stones, as we see them today, were erected some 4000 years ago. People continue to wonder just why Stonehenge was built with some suggesting it was used as a giant astronomical observatory. In truth, it's fair to say that we're as much in the dark as we've always been.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS FOR STONEHENGE'S FUTURE?

We asked you to submit your views on the announcement to spend £57 million transforming Stonehenge from "a national disgrace" to a World Heritage site to fit its international status.

Here's what you thought:

(If you want to add more observations on Stonehenge why not visit our message board? Click here for more)

i think we should all leave the place alone and leave it the way we found it so 5000 years from now it will still be enjoyed
mauryh

Having the good fortune to have lived locally for a number of years it is screamingly obvious that something to improve the situation at the Henge is required. The magic and awe that is framed in traffic choked roads is such a sad sight, and although I agree that the visitors centre is woefully inadequate, is an all singing and all dancing hi tech approach what is really called for? Resorting to computer generated graphics and surround sound seems the easy cope out these days. Throwing money at the situation is not the only solution. Can there be no more imagination and empathy to tell the theories and facts of the site and its surrounding wonders? A tunnel proper could be a solution for the roads, as long as cost was second consideration to the preservation of the surrounding land. (The A303 is a particular accident spot to be avoided by locals, as many drivers appear to take the understandable opportunity to look upon the site as they pass, and a number of deaths are the result every year). The visitors centre could perhaps be built within the confine of the ‘old’ road once it is no longer in service to limit any further damage to the site. Perhaps in the form of a barrow, so as to blend with its intended theme? I can’t pretend to know what the real solutions are, but all I can stress is how vital we feel this site to be, and that we locals will not sit idly by and watch commercialism overtake what is really important.
Sally Fuller

Leave Stonehenge alone!! Move the road. Any tourist center should not impinge on the monuement.
Frank Norcross

I think that the stones are there for the solstice celebrations so any modifications should be friendly to this end.....free festivals and events to bring the ppl closer together...if you have been there for sunrise ule ken what i mean...free the stones.......its the church of the free thinker.
nine.bar

English Heritage is hypocritical in the extreme; it claims to want to improve the views at Stonehenge, but doesn't appear to give any thought to the local inhabitants when it comes to building the visitor's facilities. One suspects that the reason for the 'cut and cover' is not so much to remove the traffic from the sight of Stonehenge, but rather to remove the sight of Stonehenge from the sight of the traffic, thus preventing the passing public from having free views and denying them their heritage.
Robert Duff

I have long admired Stonehenge from across the ocean. I myself have never been there. I have long loved the mystery and power represented in that one "simple" stone monument left by people long forgotten through the mists of time. I saw some recent pictures of the surrounding area, and my heart was broken. Now I read that there is to be more done? People get a grip! Stonehenge has been around longer than you or I, and will continue to stand long after we are gone, but not at this rate. Stonehenge was built in nature, and should stand in nature. Construction only serves to cheapen the true experience. People go to Stonehenge for a "pilgrimage" of sorts, and when you factor in modern buildings, and all the other "so called necessary construction" you disturb not only the spirit of Stonehenge, but it's sacred circle becomes broken in the scheme of life. Its well known, Man destroys what it does not understand either through fear or ignorance. I am sure that the " best"! team of engineers are studying this from every professional angle possible. But dont you think it also requires study from the heart? If it's about the tourists, tell them to pack a pic-nic and bring a blanket. Experience it as it once was. Do you think the people who built stonehenge in the first place set up a visitors center?? No, It was a come as you are, and share with those who also share your interest/love of the place. It should have remained that way. A natural wonder, and a forgotten peoples testament to their lives.
Mapeshwa Machsquathe

"The Henge" is in it's natural enviroment all that's needed is the road to be MOVED not cut and cover costing millions and doing untold damage. What additional dameage will be done using heavy machinery close to the stones?
B Clough

Stonehenge must not be obscured from any angle, it's about stones, about England about age. That's what people want rain wind and all. Leave the stones, don't rumble them. Think how the money could be spent in the community for OUR children for OUR grannies.
Kate Randall

Well I believe that without knowing how and why these momuments were built, you cannot repair them correctly. What if in doing so we destroy on of the most scared things in the world? How is it our duty? What will come of this but more people coming and seeing the momuments that were at one time so much more than that. Our presence is desturbing what it was.. Eventully it will be us who destroy it. Not the weather, and not the millions of years claimed by it. If we do not leave these stones alone, we will destroy something that we don't even understand. Something so wonderful that the modern mind is to weak to hold its knowlage. How do we have the right? please do not desturb the ancient spirits that live inside those stones of mystery. If you play with things that you do not have knowlage of, you will corrupt its and your everlasting soul.
Jennifer Dozier

The article says "Plans to transform the visitor experience at Stonehenge have been unveiled. " but later says "They are thought to include a cut and cover tunnel for the A303 and a new state of the art visitors centre." so in short this really doesn't tell us anything. At least the news that Mike Pitts is involved in the planning will be welcomed. I doubt/hope Mike would do anything as daft as put his name to a scheme which distroys the local archaeology. We know that the site was in use in the mesolithic period, so there is likely to be lots of valuable info down there.
webmaster@newarchaeology.com

'Cut & Cover' is disastrous for the archaelogy of Stonehenge (and why bother about Stonehenge unless it's for the archaeology?). The Govt is treating Stonehenge just like any other tourist "attraction" - just like a British Disneyworld. If the site is worth enhancing, it's worth preserving.
Peter Davis

The tunnel idea is fine, so long as it is a DUG tunnel. The present plan is to cut and cover the tunnel NEXT to the present road, before taking the road up, thus producing even more damage to achaeologically sensitive ground, simply in order to save on costs. How can a governement so nearly get it right, then get it so completely wrong? If there had been a proper tunnel then there would have been no disturbance to the site until the road was taken up, which would have been a welcome sight anyway. As things stand, the Pagan community aren't going to let this one go and I'm right with them. This could make other road protests look like a picnic.
Cursuswalker

Previous Contributions:
WHAT IT ALL ABOUT?
You tell us your theories on Stonehenge and why it was built.

LINKS

Stonehenge-Avebury Net
Ancient sites in the UK
Megalithia
English Heritage
The Stonehenge Collection
Mysterious Places
Magical History Tour
Save Stonehenge
Countess Road Residents' Group
Stonehenge Masterplan