Interesting posts, all of them. I agree more or less with everything thats been written - Stonehenge seen in the context of the surrounding landscape (perhaps one of the few ancient sites that warrants the description 'ritual') is an amazing place. I only visited properly, inside the fence, last summer. We arrived just as it 'opened for business' and walking slowly around the great stones pulled all the surrounding barrows and Avenue into one big picture. I agree, though, that getting caught up with hundreds of other visitors could only be a dispiriting experience - queueing is never enjoyable.

It did occur to me recently that Stonehenge is a symbol of our national identity - instantly recognisable and iconic.