 M.jpg)
A new groups reception building has been completed at Stonehenge in Wiltshire within the compounds of the recently finished coach park.
The previously constructed 52-space coach park is now the location of a brand new reception area for groups getting on and off coaches.
The reception is now open and aims to make visits for groups much simpler and easier.
Group Reception
The opening marks the completion of phase two of a major improvement project started by English Heritage around a year ago, which aims to streamline group arrivals and improve visitor flow at the busy site.
The new reception building gives group organisers a more convenient interior reception space for ticket and audio guide collection.
The building also houses toilet facilities which almost double the number on site and will be handy of passengers disembarking from coaches after long journeys.
What else is new at Stonehenge?
Previously this year, Stonehenge saw other improvements, including a newly designed coach park with an upgraded layout.
A new groups-only shuttle pickup point has also been added next to the new reception, which allows groups to go directly from the coach park to the Stone Circle.
Groups returning from the Stone Circle are dropped at the nearby visitor centre where they can view internal and external exhibitions, shop for souvenirs and enjoy refreshments in the café before walking the short distance to the coach park to re-join their vehicles.
More about the improvement project
Kate Davies, Stonehenge’s general manager commented: “This marks an important milestone for us and for the tour operators and GTOs who bring the majority of our visitors to Stonehenge each year. We worked closely with our travel trade partners to find the best way to meet demand and ease congestion at this important heritage attraction and feedback shows they have already noticed a significant improvement since we finished the first phase earlier this year.
“The project’s completion now lets us extend a truly world-class welcome to all our visitors across all areas of the site. It will allow our travel trade partners to plan their Stonehenge itineraries for the years ahead knowing that their groups will have the opportunity to fully enjoy all aspects of our facilities and an enhanced experience of this ancient wonder of human endeavour.”
For more information, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge.
