Most people have probably heard of Stonehenge the 5,000 year old circle of massive stones on Salisbury plain but few get to see it up close for a number of reasons.
It's remote and it's expensive to get into. So most people get to see this monument from the A303 road at 60mph but because everyone wants to get a photo the traffic slows right down to a crawl and that's how these photos were captured on my 5 year old potato smartphone. Which photo do you like?
Stonehenge
Stonehenge on the horizon
Stonehenge getting closer
While these monumental stones have attracted visitors for over 5,000 years it is only in very recent times that the public has been charged for the privilege of getting close to the stones.
Of course there are the Druids who claim it as a sacred site and part of their religious beliefs and practices?
Stonehenge predates Druidism by many centuries if not millennia.
My question to you.
Is it right to charge people for visiting a place like Stonehenge which was built by the community for the community?
Disneyfication of Stonehenge by English Heritage
Uncover the story of Stonehenge. Take in the unforgettable atmosphere of this World Heritage Site and best known prehistoric monument in Europe, visit our world-class exhibition to discover how the Stonehenge builders worked and walk amongst the Neolithic houses to experience how they lived.
If you look up reviews of Stonehenge you will find many people complaining about their disgust at English Heritage profiteering from this world heritage site.
The other side of this argument is that the public has defaced the monument over the years and it needs to be protected from further damage.
Who's right in this situation?