Stonehenge Accessibility Guide (2026): Wheelchair, Mobility & Disability Information

English Heritage has made significant investment in accessibility at Stonehenge since the Visitor Centre opened in 2013. For most wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs, the site is genuinely accessible — but some limitations exist, particularly in wet weather on grass sections and in the wider landscape. This guide gives you the complete picture.

Wheelchair Access: The Key Facts

The main visitor route is accessible. The route from the accessible car park bays through the Visitor Centre, to the shuttle bus, and along the stone circle viewing path is designed for wheelchair access. Tarmac paths connect the key areas.

The shuttle bus is wheelchair accessible. Buses operate with kneeling and ramp facilities. Each bus can accommodate one wheelchair or one small Class 2 mobility scooter (maximum width 600mm, maximum length 1000mm) per journey. No pre-booking is required for the shuttle; it runs every few minutes.

The stone circle viewing path is partially paved, partially grassed. The main viewing path has a tarmac section and a grassed section. In dry conditions, the grassed section is manageable for most wheelchair users. In wet conditions, wet grass can be challenging for manual wheelchairs or those with smaller front wheels. English Heritage advises that ground conditions can vary after heavy rain.

The wider landscape is not accessible to standard wheelchairs. The National Trust landscape surrounding Stonehenge — with its walking routes to the Avenue, the Cursus, and the Bronze Age barrows — is on open uneven ground and is not suitable for standard wheelchairs.

Two wheelchairs are available to borrow from the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need to borrow a wheelchair, arrange this on arrival — they cannot be pre-booked.

Blue Badge Parking

Twenty-two designated Blue Badge parking bays are located near the Visitor Centre entrance, approximately 100 metres from the main admissions area. These are on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked.

A set-down area is available for visitors who are being dropped off rather than parking. This is approximately 100 metres from the Visitor Centre entrance.

Parking payment (for non-members) is via the Pay By Phone app. Download this before your visit — there are no card readers or cash machines at the car park.

For visitors arriving by taxi or private transfer: drop-off is at the coach car park, from which an accessible route leads to the Visitor Centre.

The Accessible Shuttle Bus

The free shuttle bus between the Visitor Centre and the stone circle is fully accessible:

• Kneeling and ramp facilities at each bus
• Level access from the groups shuttle platform
• Space for one wheelchair or small Class 2 mobility scooter per journey
• Dementia-friendly floor design
• No pre-booking required — shuttles run every few minutes throughout the day

The shuttle stops at Fargo Plantation approximately halfway to the stones, allowing visitors to disembark and walk the final stretch if they wish.

Mobility Scooters

Class 2 mobility scooters can be accommodated on the shuttle bus provided they fall within the maximum dimensions (width 600mm, length 1000mm). Larger scooters may not fit the shuttle — contact English Heritage in advance on 0370 333 1181 to discuss your specific mobility aid.

A mobility scooter is also available to borrow at the Visitor Centre, subject to availability, on the same basis as the wheelchairs — first-come, first-served, not pre-bookable.

Carer and Companion Tickets

One essential carer or companion is admitted free of charge alongside a disabled visitor. This can be arranged either:

• At the time of online booking (select the carer ticket option where available)
• On arrival at the admissions desk

If you have specific access requirements or need to discuss companion arrangements before your visit, contact English Heritage customer support in advance.

Toilet Facilities

Accessible toilet facilities are located at the Visitor Centre. Key features:

• Accessible toilets with grab rails, spacious interiors, and emergency assistance alarms
• A fully equipped Changing Places facility — this includes an accessible toilet, a height-adjustable changing table, and a ceiling hoist, making it suitable for visitors who require full assisted changing facilities
• Baby-changing facilities are also available

There are no toilet facilities at the stone circle itself. Visit the toilets at the Visitor Centre before taking the shuttle bus to the stones.

Hearing Accessibility

• Hearing loops are installed in the Visitor Centre
• Audio guide compatible with hearing aids — the Stonehenge Audio Tour app (available free on iOS and Android) outputs to compatible hearing aids and Bluetooth devices; download before your visit
• Audio transcripts and printed materials available for the exhibition content
• BSL (British Sign Language) interpreted tours are available at Stonehenge — check the English Heritage website or contact them in advance for scheduled dates
• Pre-visit information video with BSL version available on the English Heritage website

Visual Accessibility

• Audio guide app provides rich descriptive commentary for each stop on the viewing path — available in 12 languages
• Tactile objects in the Visitor Centre exhibition — replica artefacts and stone samples can be touched and handled
• Tactile stones are located near the Neolithic Houses outside the Visitor Centre, allowing visitors with visual impairments to experience stone textures similar to those at the monument
• Models of the stones are available for vision-impaired visitors — ask at the admissions desk
• Large-print and Braille tour transcripts are available from the ticket office
• Staff assistance is available throughout the site — approach any member of staff for navigation support

Cognitive and Sensory Accessibility

• Quiet visiting times — early morning (9:30am–11am) and late afternoon visits have significantly fewer visitors, reducing noise and sensory load
• Simplified guides in plain language — available on request at admissions
• The wider landscape is a naturally calm, open environment with few sudden sounds or sensory stimuli outside peak visitor periods
• Staff are trained to provide patient assistance for visitors with cognitive or learning disabilities — contact English Heritage in advance to discuss specific requirements

The Stonehenge Visitor Centre: Accessibility Features

The Visitor Centre was designed with accessibility as a core requirement:

• Wide entrances, ramps, and level flooring throughout
• Exhibition cases at varying heights including low-level cases for wheelchair users and children
• Seating throughout the exhibition area
• Accessible café with tables that accommodate wheelchairs and adjustable-height counters
• Gift shop with wide aisles, low display counters, and step-free access throughout
• Water bowls for assistance dogs at the Visitor Centre and at the stones

Assistance Dogs

Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Stonehenge site, including the Visitor Centre, shuttle buses, and at the stone circle. Water bowls are provided at both the Visitor Centre and the stone circle.

Other dogs are welcome at the Visitor Centre but are not permitted on the shuttle buses, in the Visitor Centre exhibition, or in the monument field around the stone circle.

Inner Circle Access for Disabled Visitors

The Stone Circle Experience (inner circle access outside normal hours) takes place on grass around and inside the stone circle. The grass within the inner circle is uneven. In dry conditions, some wheelchair users can access the inner circle; in wet conditions, the grass can be too slippery and soft for safe wheelchair use. English Heritage recommends contacting them in advance to discuss the suitability of inner circle access for your specific mobility needs.

Contact English Heritage: 0370 333 1181 or customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Planning Your Visit: Key Contacts

For specific accessibility queries or to discuss requirements in advance:

• English Heritage customer support: 0370 333 1181
• Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
• Detailed PDF Accessibility Guide: Available on the English Heritage website — search “Stonehenge accessibility guide”

Tips for an Accessible Visit

Download the Pay By Phone app before leaving home. Car parking payment is only possible via this app — there are no card readers at the car park. Download it on a reliable Wi-Fi connection before your visit.

Plan your toilet stop before the shuttle. The only toilets are at the Visitor Centre. Take advantage of the Changing Places facility before boarding the shuttle — there is no accessible toilet at the stone circle.

Visit in dry weather if possible. Wet grass on the stone circle path and around the monument can make the visit significantly more challenging for wheelchair users and those with limited stability. The Visitor Centre and shuttle are sheltered, but the monument itself is exposed.

Allow extra time. The accessible route is well designed but involves more logistical steps than the standard route. Arriving at your timed entry slot with a small buffer gives you time to arrange wheelchairs, discuss needs with staff, and navigate the site without feeling rushed.

Contact English Heritage in advance for specific needs. The team can discuss arrangements for BSL tours, specific mobility aids, private sessions, or other requirements that benefit from pre-planning.