Stonehenge to Re-Open to Visitors on Tuesday 10th April

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 06 April 2001 Page Views: 2500

Stonehenge, Britain's most famous and much loved ancient monument in Wiltshire will open to visitors from around the world from Tuesday 10 April, English Heritage announced today (Friday 6 April 2001).

The monument has been closed since 1 March as a precautionary measure against foot and mouth disease. The decision to reopen Stonehenge has been taken with the agreement of MAFF and the Wiltshire County Council Emergency Planning Unit after discussions with local farmers and others.

Visitors will be restricted to the tarmac path only. A MAFF-approved disinfectant will be in place for vehicular and pedestrian entry to and exit from the site. We will continue to review the situation in the light of local circumstances.

Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of English Heritage said today

"I am very pleased that, following full consultation with MAFF and others, we are now able to welcome people to Stonehenge in time for the Easter holidays. With over three-quarters of a million visitors a year, Stonehenge is a national icon and one of the top 10 British historic attractions, all of which will now be open. This is good news for the national and local tourism industry and for all the visitors from home and abroad to whom it is so important."

"Our decision to re-open is based on a full assessment of the risk associated with people coming to Stonehenge, on the basis of MAFF's most up-to-date guidelines. We will continue to take every precaution to prevent the risk of spreading disease by stringent adherence to MAFF advice. In line with the current MAFF restrictions people will not be permitted to walk in the surrounding landscape and parking will be limited to the main English Heritage car park; no overflow car parking will be available. Over two hundred of our sites will now be open for Easter, including attractions in the heart of communities hardest hit by the foot and mouth crisis, including Carlisle Castle in Cumbria, Dartmouth Castle in Devon and Tynemouth Priory and Castle, Tyne & Wear. This season there are over 600 Special Events taking place at English Heritage properties all over the country and 20 over Easter including a chance to meet 2nd century Roman legionaries at Carlisle Castle, Cumbria. English Heritage is doing all it can to keep the rural tourist economy going while taking any necessary precautions to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. We would urge members of the public to call us for information or check our website for up-to-date details of places that it is safe to visit."

Welcoming today's decision, Culture Secretary Chris Smith said:

"The opening of Stonehenge is excellent news for the tourism industry, for Wiltshire and for the hundreds of thousands who want to come and marvel at this awe-inspiring ancient site. Today's news is further evidence that much of the UK is open for business as usual."

Julian Prideaux, Deputy Director General of the National Trust said

"This is a really positive development for visitors and for the local tourism industry. We urge people to come and see the stones, but please do follow the safety measures which have been put in place to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease."

David Quarmby, Chairman of the British Tourist Authority said:

"The news that Stonehenge, one of Britain's most famous icons, is to re- open will send a wave of reassurance around the world that Britain is very much open for visitors"

Robert Key MP for Salisbury said:

"The time is now right to open Stonehenge. We are grateful to English Heritage for being good neighbours to our farmers by closing for long enough to minimise the risk to animals. Our whole community will now give a warm and friendly welcome to visitors from all over the world. Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral (home of the Magna Carta), Wilton House (Eisenhower's D-Day HQ)"

"What more could anyone want?"

Access over the summer solstice is conditional on the foot and mouth disease restrictions affecting Stonehenge and the surrounding landscape having been lifted. However English Heritage is still working towards providing managed open access for summer solstice 2001 and is working closely with the Wiltshire Constabulary, the National Trust and many others from all sectors of the community to put the necessary arrangements in place.

Visitors to Stonehenge will be required to walk through a MAFF-approved disinfectant before entering the monument. It is therefore advisable to wear appropriate footwear.Stonehenge is open from 9.30 am to 6.00pm.

Admission charges: Adult £4.20; Concession £3.20; Child £2.20; Family (two adults and three children) £10.60.An up-to-date list of which English Heritage sites are open is available on the website www.englishheritage.org.uk or from the Customer Services on 0870 33 1181.

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