You don't HAVE to pay. There is a footpath that takes you along the side of the fenced area. Not quite as close as the ticketed walk & doesn't include the audio guide but still...
You can walk to the henge for free. If the entrance fee prevents you from visiting, the henge is 1.4 miles from the visitor centre. The view is more restricted then paying visitors but still worth it.
Don't bottleneck at the beginning. Once you move in a little people disperse so you won't have to wait forever to take a picture. However the best (or closest) views are in the first 1/4 or 1/3
Really amazing site... incredible sight to see and hear theories about all aspects of it, as you walk around it on guided path + come early or late for less crowds!!!
To get the most of it, go into the museum and also listen to the audio tour. The official app includes it. Don't try to sneak in or you will kindly get escorted out, saw it happen!
Either (A) Don't pay & walk from visitor's centre to view it from behind the fence, or (B) Pay 4 full tour that gets you inside circle & tells you the full history. Waste of money to pay & skip tour.
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