Bluestonehenge
Archaeological Site Neolithic stone circle near Stonehenge, prehistoric monument
Bluestonehenge near Salisbury Plain is a Neolithic stone setting associated with Stonehenge; archaeology enthusiasts visit the site and nearby museum displays.
Bluestonehenge is a prehistoric stone setting near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, identified by archaeologists in 2009. It consists of a ring of stone-holes and features interpreted as a bluestone circle or setting.
The visible remains are primarily a ring of pits and post-holes marking where stones once stood rather than intact standing stones. The feature has an approximate diameter of 10 metres and sits close to the River Avon and the approach route to Stonehenge.
Archaeological excavation in 2009 revealed the ring of pits and associated prehistoric deposits. Radiocarbon dates and stratigraphy place its use in the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age, and some researchers have suggested its stones may have been removed and reused elsewhere in the Stonehenge complex.
The site lies on the Avon floodplain near the Durrington Walls area, roughly 1.5 km south-east of the Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire.
- Discovery and setting: Excavated as part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2009, revealing a ring of stone-holes and related features. The site lies on the River Avon floodplain about 1.5 km south-east of Stonehenge.
How to Get to Bluestonehenge #
Bluestonehenge lies on Salisbury Plain near Durrington Walls, Wiltshire. Access is on foot from the A345 and the Stonehenge visitor routes; the site is visible from public footpaths along the River Avon. Nearest towns: Amesbury (4-6 km) and Salisbury (12 km).
Tips for Visiting Bluestonehenge #
- Walk from the A345 car park near Durrington Walls for the best access - the site is beside the River Avon and marked by interpretive signs.
- Visit at dawn or dusk when photographic light softens the chalkland and river reflections; mid-day brings contractors and school groups.
- Don't confuse Bluestonehenge with the main Stonehenge circle - it's a fragmentary site of stone settings and buried pits, best appreciated slowly.
Best Time to Visit Bluestonehenge #
Bluestonehenge is best visited outside peak summer when the nearby Stonehenge car parks fill; spring and autumn offer lower crowds and crisper light.
Weather & Climate near Bluestonehenge #
Bluestonehenge's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (685 mm/year).
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 76 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.