Stonehenge Parking Guide (2026): Cost, Location & Tips

Parking at Stonehenge is simple in principle but has some specific requirements that catch visitors off guard — particularly the Pay By Phone app, which is the only payment method at the car park. This guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive.

The Stonehenge Car Park: Location and Postcode

The only official parking for Stonehenge is at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre car park, clearly signposted from the A303 and A360.

Postcode: SP4 7DE — use this in your sat-nav. Do not use any other postcode that may appear when searching for “Stonehenge” — some alternatives direct drivers to restricted roads or away from the official entrance.

Approach: Take the A303 westbound from London (approximately 2 hours) and follow the brown and white tourist signs. The turning to the Visitor Centre is signed off the A303, not off the A360 from the north. Coming from Salisbury, follow the A360 north through Shrewton and the Visitor Centre is signed on your right.

The car park is a large surface-level facility adjacent to the Visitor Centre. From the car park, visitors walk to the Visitor Centre, then take the free shuttle bus (approximately 5–10 minutes) or walk (approximately 25–40 minutes) to the stone circle.

Parking Costs 2026

*Some sources indicate that a pre-booked Stonehenge admission ticket includes parking. Confirm this at the time of booking, as the policy can change. English Heritage’s current guidance states a £4 charge applies to non-members; always check the latest information on the official English Heritage website before your visit.

There are no cash machines or card readers at the car park entrance. The sole payment method is the Pay By Phone app.

How to Pay: The Pay By Phone App

Pay By Phone is a contactless parking app. English Heritage strongly recommends downloading it before your visit — not on arrival at the car park, where connectivity can be limited.

How to use it:

1. Download the Pay By Phone app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an account and add a payment card
3. On arrival, look for the location code displayed on posters around the car park
4. Open the app, enter the location code and your vehicle registration, and confirm payment
5. The app sends a digital receipt — no paper ticket is issued

If you do not have the app when you arrive, the information boards around the car park explain how to download and use it. However, setting it up on a slow phone connection in a busy car park is considerably more stressful than downloading it the night before.

Free Parking: Who Qualifies

Parking is free for:

• English Heritage members — display your membership sticker clearly in your car window
• National Trust (England) members — display an exemption document, available from the admissions desk on arrival
• Associated members (CADW, Historic Scotland, CSSC) — display an exemption in your window; request this at admissions

Note: National Trust Scotland membership, National Trust Wales membership, and international National Trust memberships do not qualify for free parking. National Trust England (England-specific membership) qualifies.

English Heritage membership includes free admission to Stonehenge as well as free parking — if you are visiting Stonehenge more than once or visiting other English Heritage properties during your UK trip, membership often represents very good value.

Accessibility Parking

Twenty-two Blue Badge parking bays are available near the Visitor Centre entrance. These are on a first-come, first-served basis and are not bookable in advance. A set-down area is also available approximately 100 metres from the Visitor Centre entrance for visitors who require close drop-off access.

For visitors with specific accessibility requirements, contact English Heritage in advance on 0370 333 1181.

Coach and Tour Bus Parking

Coaches and tour buses have a separate dedicated coach park at the Visitor Centre. Tour operators pre-arrange this; if you are travelling on an organised tour, your driver handles all parking arrangements. You do not need to do anything.

Taxis and private hire vehicles can drop off and pick up at the coach car park area.

Avoiding Parking Problems

Peak congestion periods: Summer weekends (particularly July–August) and bank holidays see the car park fill early. Arriving before 10am significantly reduces the chance of congestion. The car park can fill to capacity on the busiest summer days, and English Heritage’s guidance for solstice events specifically warns that once the car park is full, additional vehicles will be turned away.

On the A303: The road runs directly past Stonehenge, and the site is visible from the carriageway. On busy summer days, traffic on the A303 near the Stonehenge junction can slow considerably, adding time to your journey. Arriving early (before 10am) avoids the worst of this.

Friday afternoons in summer: Traffic on the A303 towards the south-west tends to peak on Friday afternoons as Londoners head to the coast and countryside. If your visit falls on a summer Friday, avoid the afternoon drive if possible.

Alternative Parking Options

There are no official alternative parking areas for Stonehenge visitors. The Visitor Centre car park is the designated facility.

Some visitors use limited street parking near Fargo Road (approximately 2 km from the stones) and walk across the landscape via public footpaths. This approach works in good weather and on less busy days, but is not recommended for visitors with limited mobility, families with small children, or anyone unfamiliar with the route across open downland.

Parking in Amesbury (approximately 3 km from Stonehenge) is available at public car parks in the town centre, from which a taxi to the Visitor Centre takes approximately 5 minutes.

Long-stay car parks in Salisbury city centre (approximately 15 km away) are an option for visitors who want to combine Stonehenge with Salisbury on the Stonehenge Tour Bus — parking in Salisbury and taking the bus is sometimes preferable on very busy days when the Stonehenge car park is crowded.

No Overnight Parking

Overnight parking at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre car park is not permitted. The car park operates during site hours only. The exception is the summer and winter solstice events, where separate temporary car park arrangements are made — see English Heritage’s website for details each year.

Practical Tips Summary

• Download Pay By Phone before leaving home — not at the car park
• Use postcode SP4 7DE only — no other postcode
• Members: display your card or sticker clearly before entering the car park area
• Arrive before 10am in summer to avoid congestion on the A303 and in the car park
• Blue Badge bays are available; contact English Heritage in advance for specific accessibility needs
• There is no cloakroom or left luggage — do not bring large suitcases or bags