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South West Attractions

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

No other site in England presents the viewer with such grandeur and mystery, nor sparks the imagination so much as this circle of stones in Wiltshire. Writers, adventurers, historians and conquerors have all tried to answer the question, 'Who built Stonehenge?' resulting in tales and fables of Druids, Merlin and King Arthur, ancient giants roaming the countryside and a highly evolved prehistoric race of men. Yet the question of who, or indeed what, managed to drag several 20-ton stones more than 240 miles (386km) from North Wales, across steep hills to be aligned with mathematical and astronomical precision 5,000 years ago remains unanswered.

Address: Two miles (3km) from Amesbury on A303 and A344/A360 junction; Website: www.stonehenge.co.uk; Telephone: (0)1980 624 715; Transport: Stonehenge is just off the A303, 20 minutes from Salisbury; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7pm (June to August), 9.30am to 6pm (16 March to 31 May, and 1 September to 15 October), 9.30am to 4pm (16 October to 15 March), 10am to 4pm (Boxing Day and New Years Day). Closed 24 and 25 December; Admission: £6.30 (adults), £3.20 (children); other concessions available

The Eden Project

The Eden Project

The Eden Project’s aim is to examine the ways in which human beings interact with their environment, with a special focus on the plant world, in order to develop new ways of sustainable development by spearheading new conservation methods. Owned by a charity called the Eden Trust, the project consists of several specially created conservatories, the largest in the world, built into a giant crater in Cornwall. The Eden Project is more than a theme park, as it presents visitors with an opportunity to explore the plant kingdom, and examine our dependence on it.

Address: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall (four miles/six km to the east of St Austell, signposted from the A30, A390 and A391); Website: www.edenproject.com; Telephone: (0)1726 811 911; Transport: Buses run daily from St Austell, Newquay, Falmouth and Truro; a combined bus/admission ticket can be purchased on the bus; Opening time: From 4 November till 16 March open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday till 9pm and until 6pm on Sunday. From 17 March till 3 November open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. Closed 24 and 25 December; Admission: £14 (adults), £5 (children 5-15); various concessions available

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral

The city of Salisbury is dominated by the spire of its famous cathedral, the tallest in England at 404ft (123m). Started in 1220 the cathedral was completed by 1258, the Spire added a few years later. Built to reflect the glory of God in stone and glass, this majestic and awe-inspiring church has been a setting for many great occasions over 775 years. The grounds of the cathedral contain many notable houses open to the public. Mompesson House is a perfectly preserved 18th century home and Malmesbury House was once the sanctuary for King Charles II, fleeing the Battle of Worcester in the 17th century.

Website: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk; Opening time: Daily from 7.15am to 6.15pm. From 11 June to 24 August open till 7.15pm, except Sundays; Admission: Cathedral: entry by donation