World Heritage Site Stonehenge has revealed its plans for new group facilities at the site, such as a new group reception building and a dedicated coach park.
A temporary coach park extension is currently in operation at the site, but English Heritage intends to make the enhanced offering for groups more permanent. The key proposals include the creation of a newly-designed coach park which will offer spaces for up to 53 60-seater coaches.
The park will be designed to ease congestion, provide safer pedestrian access and make group arrival and departure procedures easier.
A new group reception building will also be built with exclusive WC facilities just for group visitors.
It will include an internal ticket and audio guide collection area with more till points to speed up groups’ journeys into the site..
The plans also include the creation of a new visitor transit shuttle pick up point, just for groups.
This will be located next to the group reception building, meaning groups will be able to go directly from their coach to the famous stone circle.
This will provide up to 900 visitor journeys in each direction, every hour at peak times.
There will also be an improved and enlarged drop off/pick up area at the stones.
Kate Davies, Stonehenge’s general manager commented, “We are now seeking to introduce a sustainable longer term and permanent solution, which also addresses other pressure points on site that have impacted negatively on our ability to fully offer world class facilities at this leading UK attraction.
“Our own experience since we opened our new facilities at Stonehenge in December 2013, together with feedback from industry colleagues and visitors and extensive research have all shown that these key improvements could make a massive difference in the future, whilst maintaining the integrity of the World Heritage Site.”
It’s hoped that the first updates will be made in time for summer 2017.
For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge.
