Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral

Stonehenge is just a bunch of rocks but yet it is so much more. It sites right between the fork of two roads and is easily accessible. The audio tour was a definite must if you ever visit. You learn about the construction of the various cyles of the henge and its possible uses. Also surrounding Stonehenge are a large number of barrows (ancient burial mounds) that were added at later dates. Leading from Stonehenge across a field and between two sets of trees is an ancient roadway that may have been used to bring the large stones from the sea.

Two things make Stonehenge amazing. The first is purely physical. How did the builders of Stonehenge get the stones there and, then, how were the worked & placed exactly where they were supposed to go. The second amazing aspect is mystical. What was Stonehenge used for? Nobody will ever know.

Our second stop of the day was to the famous cathedral in the town of Salisbury. The construction of the cathedral took 38 years (1220-1258). Its famous spire was added a generation later. The nativity scene that surrounded the altar was very neat. Large white angels hung down from the ceiling and almost appeared to be flying. In a separate building from the cathedral proper was the Chapter House. In this building one of the original 4 copies of the Magna Carta is on display. This copy dates from 1215. There are tower tours where you get to climb the tower (404ft tall) but they weren't running while we were there.