Woodhenge Archaeological Site
Neolithic timber circle monument near Stonehenge
Woodhenge near Salisbury is a reconstructed Neolithic timber circle beside Stonehenge; visitors study prehistoric monument layouts, walk the site and visit the nearby archaeology centre.
Woodhenge at a Glance#
Address: Woodhenge, Near Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/woodhenge/
Hours: Open daily dawn-dusk
Admission: Free (English interpretation signage limited)
About Woodhenge#
Woodhenge is a Neolithic timber circle site near Amesbury in Wiltshire that dates to the Late Neolithic period. The site comprises concentric rings of postholes marking where wooden posts once stood and sits within the Stonehenge World Heritage area.
Excavations revealed multiple concentric rings of postholes, a surrounding ditch and bank and a central burial feature; the monument’s visible outline is reinforced by markers or replica posts for interpretation. The circular layout and alignment features attract interest from those studying prehistoric ritual landscapes.
Archaeological work in the early 20th century exposed the plan and helped date the site to about 2500 BCE; excavators recorded its construction and use within the same Neolithic period that produced other nearby monuments. Interpretive signage explains the site’s layout and its relationship to neighbouring monuments such as Durrington Walls.
Woodhenge lies on Salisbury Plain in south-west England, a short walk from the A303 and approximately 2 kilometres from Stonehenge. The site is accessible from nearby visitor facilities serving the Stonehenge landscape.
- Proximity to Stonehenge: Located about 2 kilometres northeast of Stonehenge, it forms part of the same World Heritage landscape and is linked to Durrington Walls by footpaths.
How to Get to Woodhenge#
Woodhenge lies near Amesbury, Wiltshire, close to the A303. It is a short drive or a 20-30 minute walk from Stonehenge car park; many Stonehenge tour buses include Woodhenge as a secondary stop. The nearest rail station is Salisbury, about 13 km away, with onward bus or taxi connections.
Tips for Visiting Woodhenge#
- Visit at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid harsh midday light and to appreciate the wooden posts' weathered textures.
- Follow the marked path to avoid trampling the archaeological features; the site is fragile and the posthole rings are easy to miss from a distance.
- Combine a visit with nearby Stonehenge and the Salisbury Plain area to place Woodhenge in its broader prehistoric landscape.
Best Time to Visit Woodhenge#
Best visited outside peak summer-spring and autumn give clearer light and fewer crowds; the site is open year‑round.
Weather & Climate near Woodhenge#
Woodhenge'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 (695 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 75 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 49 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 3° | 57 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 43 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 49 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 53 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 39 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 54 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 64 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 65 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 70 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 77 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
