Sunday 9 October 2011

Published and Issued in 1938 The Official Guide to Stonehenge
1938 Guide to Stonehenge www.visit-stonehenge.com

1938 Guide To Stonehenge inside back cover

1938 Guide To Stonehenge Map

Wednesday 5 October 2011

DISCOVER STONEHENGE, BATH AND WINDSOR A DAY TOUR FROM LONDON


Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge


  • See Windsor Castle
  • See Mysterious Stonehenge
  • See Roman Baths and Bath Abbey
  • Low Cost Tour


Tour Details  


Windsor


Windsor is a beautiful location in all the seasons, even in the depth of winter its a magical place. Steeped in History Its 17th century cobbled streets lend themselves to many historical monuments,  Fans and supporters  of the Royal family will be in their royal element!



 At Windsor you will have the option to visit Windsor Castle the home of Queen Elizabeth II and enjoy a through the keyhole experience of the world’s largest and oldest working castle’s



The Alternative is a walking tour and free time at your leisure to explore the historic town.

 Mysterious Stonehenge

Situated on Salisbury Plain in the heart of the county of Wiltshire, 40 ton Bluestone standing stones, appear alone in the landscape, having stood for 5,000 years, has given speculation to an abundance of theories surrounding Stonehenge. Theories range  from a religious temple to an astronomical clock and even a Bronze Age burial ground. On arrival at Stonehenge you can have priority entrance with an audio guided tour or spend time at your leisure at the location.

There is a gift shop and café on site.

Bath

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site it’s a fine example of stunning Georgian architecture with many beautiful places to see. Bath Stands in the River valley of Avon with famous Pulteney Bridge, modelled on Florences Ponte Vecchio as you can see from the picture above a great spot for memorable photographs.

At Bath we offer you the choice of a visit to the Roman Baths to see this magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water.

or

Enjoy a walking tour of this elegant city to admire the architecture, learn about Jane Austen, and sample the famous Bath Bun!

Estimated arrival time back to London is around 7.00pm.

Google Street View in Bath of Pulteney Bridge


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Monday 3 October 2011

Street View Google Visit Avebury
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Stonehenge in the Autumn pictures

Friday 30 September 2011

Ministry of Works 1955 Official Guidebook, Priced One Shilling We have a number of these and in particular interest are the maps that come with them.




Thursday 29 September 2011

Places on Tours, Street View Near the Roman Baths, Bath
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Wednesday 28 September 2011


JOIN ENGLISH HERITAGE
Members pack 2011
 
With English Heritage annual membership you can explore over 400 castles, stately homes, ruins and more for free!
Adult memberships start from just £46 and also include free entry for up to 6 children (up to 19 years old).  With discounts for couples and seniors too, an English Heritage Membership offers a great value way for the whole family to enjoy exciting days out all year round.
As a member of English Heritage you'll also be helping us to safeguard our heritage for the future.

PRICES

Your membership entitles you to free, unlimited entry to 400 properties ... plus free entry for up to six accompanying children (under 19) within your family group.  Unaccompanied children aged 16 - 19 can also use their parents' card to gain free entry.

ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP PRICES


       
Valid from April 1st 2011 to March 31st 2012.
MembershipPrice
Adult   (age 19-59)£46.00
Joint Adult   (age 19-59)£80.00
Senior   (age 60+)£33.50
Joint Senior   (age 60+)£54.50
Adult & Senior£66.50
Student   (under 19 & NUS Members)£34.50


Tuesday 27 September 2011

Our Collection, Vintage Postcards of Stonehenge



Saturday 17 September 2011

Winter Scene Stonehenge in Snow Winter Scene Stonehenge in Snow


Windsor Castle and Conquer the Tower tour


Photo: Peter Packer
1 August - 30 September 2011

This brand new ticket includes standard admission to Windsor Castle and a guided tour to the top of the world-famous Round Tower.  From here, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Castle and Windsor Great Park, the Thames Valley and the London skyline.
Important information when booking your ticket


  • The Conquer the Tower tour takes approximately 45 minutes and involves climbing 200 steps.
  • Sensible shoes must be worn.  Flip flops are unsuitable.
  • The tour is unsuitable for those suffering from vertigo (fear of heights) or claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces).
  • If you have any health conditions that may affect your ability to climb, we recommend that you consult your doctor before booking. 
  • Children under the age of 11 are not permitted to participate in the Conquer the Tower tour. Identification may be required.
  • Children between the ages of 11 and 16 inclusive must be accompanied in the ratio of one adult to every two children. Babies cannot be carried on the tour.

    Please click here for more detailed guidelines.


  • Book Tickets     

    Windsor Castle


    Photographer: Peter Packer
    A visit to the Castle includes the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, Queen Mary's Dolls' House and a special exhibition to mark the 90th birthday of His Royal Highness Prince Philip (on 10 June 2011).


    Book Tickets     

    Windsor Castle, plus a Great Kitchen tour


    1 August - 30 September 2011

    This special combined ticket includes standard admission to Windsor Castle and a guided tour to the Castle's Great Kitchen.  The tour includes the State Entrance and the medieval Undercroft, areas not normally open to the public.

    Important information when booking your ticket



  • Tickets for the Great Kitchen tour are timed. 
  • When booking your ticket, you will be asked to select the date of your ticket and then a time.  This time refers to the time slot of your Great Kitchen tour.
  • If you book a 10:45 Great Kitchen tour, you will have to visit the State Apartments after your guided tour.
  • You must arrive at Engine Court at least 15 minutes before your Great Kitchen tour start time (as printed on your ticket).
  • We regret late-comers cannot be admitted.
  • The guided tour is in English only.
  • The Great Kitchen tour may not be suitable for young children. 


  • Book Tickets     

    Exclusive Evening Tour of Windsor Castle


    Peter Smith
    Enjoy an exclusive visit to Windsor Castle, once the doors have closed to the public.  Explore the sumptuous State Apartments in the company of an expert guide and go 'behind the ropes' in selected rooms.

    Visitor Information

    Book Tickets     

    Thursday 8 September 2011


    Hearing the past

    Visitors to Stonehenge in Wiltshire rarely experience the historic site without the rumble of traffic noise from the nearby A303. But UK researchers have managed to recreate the sound of a ritual there, as heard by our ancestors 4,000 years ago.
    The research - which starts in an echo-free recording chamber and uses latest computer modelling techniques - has also been used to recreate the acoustics of Coventry Cathedral before it was destroyed in World War II.
    The same work is also being used to design better buildings of the future - with the acoustics of Stonehenge for instance, helping to inspire modern concert venues. It is also influencing the way museums use sound to give visitors a sense of history, such as the hustle and bustle of railway stations during the age of steam.
    For BBC Radio 4, Prof Jim Al-Khalili went to investigate the sounds of the past.

    Saturday 3 September 2011


    WOODHENGE


    Woodhenge is a Late Neolithic monument originally made up of a series of concentric circles of wooden posts within a circular bank and ditch. It is of similar size to Stonehenge and lies between Larkhill and Amesbury, about 2km (1.2miles) north east of Stonehenge itself.
    An aerial view of Woodhenge as it appears today.
    An aerial view of Woodhenge as it appears today.
    © English Heritage Photo Library, K040325

    Woodhenge was the first archaeological site to be discovered through aerial photography, when a photograph taken in 1925 revealed rings of dark spots in a crop of wheat within a monument that had been previously assumed to be a disc barrow. Excavation of the site by Maud Cunnington in 1926 and 1927 showed that the dark spots were holes for wooden posts.
    Aerial photo of Woodhenge.
    Woodhenge was discovered through aerial photography in 1925, and can be seen in the middle of this photograph as a series of dark spots forming a circular monument before excavation. In the foreground are levelled round barrows which were also excavated by Maud Cunnington.
    © English Heritage NMR Crawford Collection, CCC 8751/7387, SU 1543/131 30 Jun 1926

    A WOOD AND STONE MONUMENT

    The site originally consisted of 6 rings of wooden posts radiating out from a central point. They were enclosed within an earthen bank and ditch with a north east entrance. Although the timber monument may be earlier, the construction of the ditch has been dated to between 2470 and 2000BC, making it contemporary with or slightly later than the building of the stone circle of Stonehenge.
    Recent excavations at Woodhenge as part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project have shown that there was a substantial stone element to the structure - at least five standing stones were also set up at the site, probably in two phases.

    A MYSTERY UNCOVERED

    The 1920s excavations at Woodhenge led to the discovery of a young child skeleton, buried near the centre of the monument. Another burial was found within the outer ditch during excavations in the 1970s. Finds included large amounts of Grooved Ware pottery, carved chalk objects and flint tools.
    An artist’s impression of Woodhenge as a free-standing timber monument in about 2400 BC.
    An artist’s impression of Woodhenge as a free-standing timber monument in about 2400 BC.
    © English Heritage Photo Library, Peter Dunn, J040097
    We do not know the purpose of Woodhenge, but it was likely to have been a free-standing setting of posts rather than a roofed building. The burials may have been sacrifices or offerings to mark the use of the monument. The posts and entrance appear to have a similar alignment to that at Stonehenge.
    Concrete pillars mark the location of the excavated post holes
    Woodhenge today – the concrete pillars mark the location of the excavated post holes
    © English Heritage Photo Library, N080003

    WINTERBOURNE STOKE BARROWS

    This is one of the most impressive barrow cemeteries in Wiltshire. This group of burial mounds includes an early Neolithic long barrow and several Bronze Age round barrows of various shape.
    An aerial view of the Winterbourne Stoke barrow cemetery.
    An aerial view of the Winterbourne Stoke barrow cemetery.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 18663/18, SU1041/104 9 Jan 2000

    THE EARLY NEOLITHIC LONG BARROW

    The earliest burial mound in the group is the long barrow, which even today is 84 metres long and some 3 metres high, with clearly visible side ditches. It would have been built between 3750 and 3400BC, making it earlier than the ditch and bank at Stonehenge.
    A view of the long barrow under light snow.
    A view of the long barrow under light snow.
    © English Heritage NMR, James O Davies DP136363
    The barrow was excavated in 1863 by John Thurnam, who found a male burial at the north-east end. Three further burials, a male adult and two children, were found higher up in the mound. These were probably secondary burials, dating to the Early Bronze Age, inserted into the mound over one thousand years later.

    BRONZE AGE BURIAL MOUNDS

    This cemetery includes all the main types of round barrow found in Wessex. The first barrows were built around 2000BC. Two lines of round barrows run in a north-easterly direction from the long barrow. This remarkable group includes pairs of bell, pond and disc barrows as well as 19 bowl barrows. A further cluster of barrows, slightly to the north of the main group, is made up of 5 bowl barrows and a pair of saucer barrows.
    This detailed aerial photograph shows three clear disc barrows in the foreground with bowl and bell barrows beyond.
    This detailed aerial photograph shows three clear disc barrows in the foreground with bowl and bell barrows beyond.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 24078/27, SU1041/133 24 Sep 2005

    GRAVE GOODS

    Objects were frequently placed with the remains. These grave goods often included bronze daggers and battle-axes, beads and other ornaments. We believe that they indicate the status of the dead, although it is not clear whether the different types of grave goods indicate gender, age or role - some with special types of equipment may have been shaman's graves.
    Most prehistoric barrows in the Stonehenge landscape were excavated in the 19th century. Many of the objects found can be seen in the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes and Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, Salisbury.
    This aerial view shows the largely linear nature of the barrow cemetery.
    This aerial view shows the largely linear nature of the barrow cemetery.
    © Crown copyright NMR, NMR 15077/13, SU1041/71 18 Oct 1993

    VESPASIAN'S CAMP


    Built on a spur of land bordered by the River Avon, Vespasian's Camp hillfort offered a strongly defensive position, a place of safety in times of trouble.
    Aerial photograph shows the tree-covered oval shape of Vespasian’s Camp very clearly.
    Probably taken some time in the 1920s, this aerial photograph shows the tree-covered oval shape of Vespasian’s Camp very clearly.
    © Crown copyright NMR Crawford Collection, CCC 11752/1634, SU1441/8

    Despite its name, Vespasian's Camp has no connection with Roman history. In Elizabethan times, William Camden, one of the first people to tour and describe ancient sites, gave the hillfort its name after the emperor Vespasian who subjugated the south-west of England during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43.

    LIVING IN THE HILLFORT

    There are suggestions that this riverside location was important before the Iron Age. Excavations have found Neolithic pits, and in the early Bronze Age, some barrows were built on the hill. Recent excavations have led to the discovery of an ancient spring within the hillfort and to suggestions that this location may have been an important part of the Stonehenge ritual landscape.
    The hillfort viewed from near King Barrow Ridge in the snow.
    The hillfort viewed from near King Barrow Ridge in the snow.
    © English Heritage NMR, DP136350
    The Iron Age hillfort has massive earthen ramparts with an entrance at the north end, and possibly one at the south. It was constructed in about 500 BC. A metre-thick layer of domestic waste demonstrates that it was intensively occupied following the construction of the ramparts.

    IN LATER TIMES

    In the 18th century the hillfort became part of the landscaped gardens of the Marquess of Queensberry's house at Amesbury Abbey, later known as the Antrobus Estate. This new phase included landscaping the hillfort with tree planting, ornamental walks, vistas and a grotto.
    Aerial photo of Amesbury Abbey House and Vespasian’s Camp
    Amesbury Abbey House can be seen in the centre of this photograph, surrounded by remnants of its 18th century parkland. Vespasian’s Camp is in the top left.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 18646/18, SU1541/24 9 Jan 2000
    Today, trees and shrubs cover Vespasian's Camp. This legacy from the garden phase of its history is now a listed Grade II* park and garden.

    THE CURSUS stonehenge

    The Stonehenge Cursus, also known as the Greater Cursus as a smaller example lies to the west, is a long rectangular earthwork that runs for about 3km (1.8 miles) on an east-west alignment. Its width varies from 100 to 130 metres (109 to 142 yards) and it consists of a bank with an external ditch.
    Aerial photograph of the curcus as a long rectangular earthwork which ends at the break in the trees.
    The cursus can be seen on this aerial photograph as a long rectangular earthwork which ends at the break in the trees.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 24078/21, SU1243/49 24 Sep 2005
    Although similar cursus monuments exist in England and many theories have been put forward, we do not know the purpose of these mysterious monuments. They generally survive only as shallow banks and ditches, or cropmarks visible only from the air.

    A SPORTING ARENA?

    The antiquarian William Stukeley, who first recorded the Stonehenge Cursus, believed it had been used for chariot racing by the ancient Britons and gave it the name of 'cursus' from the Latin term for race course. Looking at the outline of the site in the landscape, it does indeed look like a circuit of some sort, although the rounded ends that Stukeley recorded did not exist.
    Aerial photograph of the full extent of the cursus, which stretches for about 3km across the landscape. Stonehenge can be seen in the top left.
    This photograph shows the full extent of the cursus, which stretches for about 3km across the landscape. Stonehenge can be seen in the top left.
    © Crown copyright NMR, NMR 15041/10, SU1343/17 22 Jun 1994

    A PATH FOR THE DEAD?

    One theory suggests that cursus monuments may have served as a processional ways, making permanent a route across the landscape. Others have suggested that it was a barrier to movement, dividing different parts of the land.
    The Stonehenge Cursus is aligned on an early Neolithic long barrow at its eastern end. The ditches were dug out again up to a 1,000 years after they were first constructed, between 2800-2400 BC. Later, early Bronze Age barrows were built in a linear cemetery alongside the Cursus.
    This shows that the Cursus remained important over a long time span, from the early Neolithic to the early Bronze Age.
    To the north-west of the Greater or Stonehenge Cursus is the Lesser Cursus, a similar but smaller monument now lost under the plough. Its shape can still be seen from the air.
    To the north-west of the Greater or Stonehenge Cursus is the Lesser Cursus, a similar but smaller monument now lost under the plough. Its shape can still be seen from the air.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 21959/15, SU1043/32 4 Feb 2003

    THE AVENUE Stonehenge

    The Avenue dates from between 2600 and 2200BC, shortly after the construction of the sarsen stone settings.
    Aerial photo of the Avenue.
    The section of the Avenue close to Stonehenge is aligned on the midsummer sunrise and defines the north-east entrance to Stonehenge.
    © Crown Copyright NMR, NMR 15041/25, SU 1242/298 26 Jun 1994
    Theories about its purpose vary. The final section, on the approach to Stonehenge is aligned on the midsummer sunrise. Was it a ceremonial processional way to Stonehenge? Other researchers think that it was the route used to transport the bluestones of Stonehenge from the river to their final destination.
    Aerial photograph of the avenue extending from Stonehenge and then curving sharply to the east towards King Barrow Ridge.
    This aerial photograph shows the avenue extending from Stonehenge and then curving sharply to the east towards King Barrow Ridge.
    © Crown Copyright NMR, NMR 15041/002, SU 1242/281 26 Jun 1994

    A CEREMONIAL ROUTE


    A low bank defines the 'route' of the Avenue with outer ditches on both sides.
    Much of the monument can only be clearly seen from the air as ploughing has reduced the height of the features. Near Stonehenge, however, the bank and ditch are still visible on the ground.
    View of the curve of the Avenue at Stonehenge Bottom in light snow.
    In light snow, the curve of the Avenue at Stonehenge Bottom is just visible.
    © English Heritage NMR, DP101832

    Unlike the stone-lined avenues at Avebury, no evidence has been found that stones or posts marked the Avenue's length.

    THE HEEL STONE

    The Avenue formalises the earlier north-eastern entrance into Stonehenge.
    Looking out from the centre of Stonehenge towards the Heel Stone and Avenue.
    Looking out from the centre of Stonehenge towards the Heel Stone and Avenue.
    © English Heritage Photo Library, K040983

    Outside the ditch, the Heel Stone stands near the middle of the Avenue, just before it enters Stonehenge. When viewed from the centre of the stone circle, it shows the direction of the midsummer sunrise. Excavations in 1979 suggest that the Heel Stone may have been one of a pair, or perhaps that the Heel Stone was moved in the past.
    Immediately within the bank, the entrance was marked by three standing stones, one of which remains lying on the ground (now known as the Slaughter Stone).

    NORMANTON DOWN BARROWS


    This barrow cemetery lies to the south of Stonehenge. It contains Bronze Age round barrows of several types, as well as an earlier Neolithic long barrow and an oval barrow. There is a clear line of sight from these barrows to Stonehenge, about a kilometre (0.5 miles) away to the north.
    An aerial view, showing the linear nature of the cemetery.
    An aerial view, showing the linear nature of the cemetery. Today, the land surrounding the barrows has been reverted to grassland.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 21917/13, SU 1142/100 19 Dec 2002

    BURIAL RITES IN THE EARLY NEOLITHIC PERIOD

    The earliest ritual use of this site is most likely to have been the construction of the two small long barrows, some time between 3650 and 3400 BC. Nearby to one of them and dating from roughly the same time is a rectangular ditched enclosure, known as the Normanton Down mortuary enclosure.
    This enclosure, defined by a discontinuous ditch with an internal bank, was excavated in 1959 by Faith de Mallet Vatcher and antlers from the ditch have been dated to 3500-2900 BC.
    An aerial photograph showing the position of the cemetery in relation to Stonehenge which can be seen in the middle distance. The site of the ‘mortuary enclosure’ is close to the barrows visible in the foreground.
    An aerial photograph showing the position of the cemetery in relation to Stonehenge which can be seen in the middle distance. The site of the ‘mortuary enclosure’ is close to the barrows visible in the foreground.
    © English Heritage NMR, NMR 24142/22, SU1140/39 8-FEB-2006
    It was originally identified as a 'mortuary enclosure', an area for exposing corpses to be cleaned of flesh in a process known as 'excarnation', before the bones were placed in the chamber of a long barrow. However, no human bones have been found here and it is perhaps an open-air gathering place for ceremonies.

    A PLACE OF HIGH STATUS

    The Normanton Down barrow cemetery is famous for the rich and varied burial objects found within some of the barrows. Most were excavated by Sir Richard Colt Hoare and William Cunnington at the turn of the 19th century.
    Perhaps their most famous discovery was in 1808; the richly furnished Bush Barrow burial. This is the one of the richest and most important examples of an early Bronze Age burial in Britain. Two adjacent barrows nearby contained similarly lavish objects and this may indicate a family group.
    A fine macehead, two gold lozenges and a gold belt hook, as well as several metal objects such as these daggers and axe.
    The objects found with the male burial in the Bush Barrow included a fine macehead, two gold lozenges and a gold belt hook, as well as several metal objects such as these daggers and axe.
    © English Heritage Photo Library, by permission of Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes, K870051
    These gold and amber pendants and gold button cover, come from a burial close to the Bush Barrow, known as Wilsford G8. Their owner may have been a female relative of the Bush Barrow man.
    These gold and amber pendants and gold button cover, come from a burial close to the Bush Barrow, known as Wilsford G8. Their owner may have been a female relative of the Bush Barrow man.
    © English Heritage Photo Library, by permission of Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes, K870056
    The cemetery has an unusually high number of disc barrows, eight in all, as well as several bell barrows. The range and richness of grave goods placed in these barrows and their location, within clear sight of Stonehenge, suggests that it was a burial ground for important people.
    Sheep grazing on the grassland surrounding the barrows.
    A view of the barrows today surrounding by grassland.
    © English Heritage, Rachel Foster