Disabled Access At The Stonehenge Ruins

Disabled Access at the
Stonehenge Ruins

http://sagetraveling.com/stonehenge-disabled-access

Stonehenge disabled access greets wheelchair users with ramped
access at the entrance, a paved path on one side of the ruins, and a
grass path on the other side of the ruins.
• Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Stonehenge contains a
perimeter ditch that was first constructed 5000 years ago and the
enormous stones that were erected over the next 500 years.
• Stonehenge is an amazing sight that every European disabled tourist
should make it a point to see!

www.sagetraveling.com

The biggest challenge that Stonehenge disabled access presents are the
two ramps at the entrance (described below).
• The optional grass path (shown in the photos below) could also be
challenging, especially if the ground is wet.
• Overall, manual wheelchair users, power wheelchair users, and mobility
scooter users will have minimal difficulty visiting Stonehenge.


I gave Stonehenge a 4 Star Sage Accessibility Rating because it has short
distances, smooth pavement, only a couple of ramps, and an accessible
toilet. It did not receive a 5 star rating because it is not completely
flat. The entire area is being renovated in 2013.

If you visit after the new visitor center
and transit system is operational,
please send me some accessibility
photos so I can add them to this page.


Stonehenge Wheelchair Accessibility Map

Stonehenge can only be reached by car or bus. There are no other
public transportation options available.
Stonehenge visitors from London will approach using the A344 highway
shown below.


Stonehenge disabled visitors are likely to find large crowds….especially
if the weather is decent. Wheelchair users will need to roll down a 15
meter long ramp (3 Star Sage Flatness Rating) to reach the ticket
window. There may be a long line of people standing on the ramp.


At the ticket window, you will find turnstiles and a gate that can be
opened for wheelchair users and strollers/buggies. You will also pick up
your audioguide here.


A pedestrian tunnel leads underneath the A344 highway. On the other
side of the highway is a zigzag ramp (shown in the photo on the right)
that leads to the field surrounding the Stonehenge ruins. It has a similar
steepness to the ramp at the entrance.


After you get to the top of the ramp, there will be a single paved path
leading near the ruins. Everyone must take this path, so just follow the
crowds.


An aerial photo below shows the direction you will be facing as you
approach the ruins on the paved path. The grass path is at the top of
the picture.


Crowds must stay behind the rope and away from the ruins. The picture
of me (John Sage) on the right shows how close you can get.
I snapped this pic quickly while no other visitors were next to me….it can
get quite crowded! By the way, that’s me in my typical England travel gear:
waterproof jacket, folder with directions and maps on my lap, and
backpack on the back of my wheelchair….it works great!


The paved path is flat except for a small elevation change due to the
5000 year old circular ditch (shown in the photo on the left).
Apparently, the builders weren’t thinking about wheelchair accessibility at
the time ;-) Don’t worry though….going over the ditch is easy in a
wheelchair. Signs such as the one shown on the right indicate where to go
to next track on audioguide.


The Stonehenge wheelchair accessible paved path ends on the
southwest side of the stone circle (the end of the path is shown on the
left & a photo looking back towards Stonehenge is shown on the right).
• Visitors can either continue on the grass around the ruins (an additional
200 meters) or turn around and head back to the entrance.
• On the day I visited, the grass was dry and it was easy for me to push my
wheelchair around the entire ruins.


Aerial map showing 200 meters of grass path


Towards the end of the loop around the stone circle is a raised path to
go over ancient “Avenue” ditch (the audioguide will tell you all about
the Avenue). The path is ramped at both ends.


After you reach the paved path again, you’ll go back out through the
same entrance you arrived. You’ll go down the zigzag ramp and through
the pedestrian tunnel.


Return your audioguide on the way out and proceed through the gate
and up the ramp to the parking lot.


Stonehenge has wheelchair accessible toilets at the far end of car park.
There is ramped access, plenty of space, and the grab bars required by
UK law.


Significant changes to the Stonehenge area are scheduled for 2013. The
A344 road near Stonehenge will be completely removed to restore a
more pristine feeling to the area.
• The visitor center will be moved further away, and visitors will need to
take a short train ride to the ruins (shown in the map).
• The transit system could result in long lines.
• Hopefully Stonehenge disabled access will stay as good or better than it
currently is.

If you visit after the renovations
have been made, please send me
some accessibility photos with
descriptions so I can put them here!
Thanks!


We look forward to making your accessible dream vacation a reality!

Call Us: 1-888-645-7920

Contact us at info@sagetraveling.com

http://sagetraveling.com/stonehenge-disabled-access

Disabled Access At The Stonehenge Ruins

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Andere mochten auch

Andere mochten auch (13)

Mehr von Sage Traveling

Mehr von Sage Traveling (20)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (16)

Disabled Access At The Stonehenge Ruins