.
The feedback from the new visitor centre yesterday was nearly all positive. The architecture works well (whatever happened to the holes in the roof?!), the exhibits are impressive (although rather limited in scale) and of course the location, just out of sight from the stones, is a huge relief. It still remains to be seen how things will work out when maximum tourist numbers turn up but the general consensus seems to be: so far, so good ….
One issue did seem to keep coming up though – the fact that as from February it will be necessary to book in advance. A lot of people are complaining about that, saying an element of spontaneity has been removed. They have a point, so the question arises, why? There’s plenty of room inside the visitor centre and at the stones so if there’s any lack of capacity it must be the parking or the land trains. Surely the answer is to increase the supply of both of them rather than cause irritation by imposing a system of pre-booked timed tickets? With gate receipts of £15 million a year, it’s hard to see why there should be a shortage of anything crucial to a good visitor experience. Or have we missed something?
The Heritage Journal 
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
19/12/2013 at 07:33
stonehengenews
Reblogged this on Stonehenge News and Information and commented:
The feedback from the new visitor centre yesterday was nearly all positive
19/12/2013 at 13:57
lanceleuven
I’m very surprised about the booking ahead aspect. I think a lot of people will complain. As you say, why? It seems an odd stipulation.
19/12/2013 at 17:54
Wilt
pre-booking? It is now a destination to be planned ahead rather than somewhere that encompasses the freedom of expression of the human mind and spirit. Why not go the whole hog and turn it into a theme park??
19/12/2013 at 19:24
astral
Stonehenge is a victim of its own commercial success and is less attractive for it. The best prehistory are the places little known about and not often visited. Anyway Stonehenge was rebuilt with cranes early last century so hardly original. Let the masses flock to this iconic landmark and save the best for the rest of us to enjoy au narural
12/01/2014 at 12:26
BILLY BUCHANAN
Billy Buchanan Newgrange is only 6 euros an adult or 15 euros for a family ticket.I visited last year lovely food in the visitor centre,freindly atmosphere and no visible security.Took an 8 year old and 14 year old.Couldn’t afford a family ticket to Stonehange…sad isn’t it