Seeing Stonehenge up close

One of Jessica’s favourite models when we visited Babbacombe Model Village was the miniature Stonehenge. “Look Mummy! Stonehenge! The Go Jetters went there!” We told her that we would be going past Stonehenge on the way home. Maybe we could stop and take a closer look. Jessica was delighted. “And take a souvenir selfie? And Mummy can put the Go Jetters on the photo just like on my CBeebies birthday card!”

Jessica and Sophie standing near the stones at Stonehenge

The CBeebies birthday card has become a bit of a birthday tradition. I currently have a 100% success rate when it comes to getting a card on TV (hopefully I haven’t just jinxed it!) Last year, Jessica has a Go Jetters themed card with a “souvenir selfie” of her and the Go Jetters at the Eiffel Tower. I played around with one of my old photos to create it. Jessica’s never been to Paris. Thank goodness for photo editing software!

 

If your little ones are CBeebies fans you’ll probably know that the Go Jetters are four characters who travel around the world with their mentor, a disco-dancing unicorn called Ubercorn, and save well-known monuments and sights from the baddie Grandmaster Glitch. It’s one of the girls’ favourite programmes. I love the fact that it teaches them about different places. I often find myself looking up places on Wikipedia afterwards to learn more about them too!

 

Anyway, back to Stonehenge. The place where the Go Jetters stopped Grandmaster Glitch from using the stones as a giant domino rally set. I’d only visited once before (about twenty years ago) although hubby was there for the summer solstice one year which was quite an experience.

 

It was a very cold and rainy day. We only had an hour to spare due to being en route to a friend’s birthday party. English Heritage manage the site although National Trust own the surrounding land. If you’re a member of either you can visit for free although it’s recommended that you book ahead for a timed ticket to visit the stones. It was one of those times when National Trust membership is very handy especially as the visit would have cost us around £40 for a family pass otherwise.

Jessica and Sophie near the information board at Stonehenge

We hadn’t booked a timed ticket, but it wasn’t a busy day to visit. We boarded the shuttle bus which was already waiting at the stop. A few minutes later, we were at the stones.  Jessica got very excited as the stones came into view. “Look Mummy! Look! It’s Stonehenge!” It might have been cold and raining but nothing was dampening this little girl’s enthusiasm!

 

We took a couple of pictures of the girls near the stones. Jessica insisted on having one on her own so I could create a Go Jetters “souvenir selfie” for her.

A "souvenir selfie" with the Go Jetters at Stonehenge

We had a short wait to get the bus back to the visitors’ centre and back to the car. If we’d had more time I would have liked to have also visited the Neolithic houses near the visitors’ centre, but we needed to get back on the road.

 

It might have been short and sweet but it was lovely to see the girls’ enthusiasm at getting to see Stonehenge up close. Maybe we’ll visit again next time we’re passing and manage a slightly longer trip!

 

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

40 thoughts on “Seeing Stonehenge up close

  1. Now I understand the photo on Instagram! I’ve not heard of Go Jetters before but you have created a lovely memory of your trip to Stonehenge for Jessica. Even from the car as we pass they look impressive. We always say one day we will stop but we always seem to be in a rush to get somewhere when we pass. I do remember going to visit once on a school trip, that was back when you could walk right up to the stones, in fact I think we had to do stone rubbings of them! I’m glad you got to visit even if it was a wet day.

    Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

    1. I remember being able to walk up to the stones and touch them too – it was all quite different from how I remembered it when I last visited! So nice that CBeebies has helped the girls take an interest in places like this 🙂

  2. We went back to Stonehenge last weekend. Bit of a dreary day too, but it added to the atmosphere. The Go Jetters is new to me. Sounds a fun idea. Great suggestion from Jessica. Fingers crossed that you haven’t jinxed yourself. #CountryKids

    1. Fingers crossed! Hope you enjoyed your trip last weekend in spite of the dreary weather!

  3. I’ve never been to Stonehenge and really must make an effort to visit. We are going past later this year so maybe we will get the chance to stop off. I love the photos and I’m so happy that Jessica was so excited. What a lovely day.
    #CountryKids

  4. Haha what an awesome souvenir selfie with the go jetters! We went the summer before last on an equally wet day, though ours was in July! Like you I was very grateful that the national trust membership covered the entry charge! Xx

  5. We’ve only been once, would so love to visit again especially since we are members of English Heritage, it’s just a bit out of the way for us. It does look like a wet and cold day, but also looks like your girls had so much fun too 🙂 #countrykids

    1. We didn’t get much of a chance to explore the visitor centre – maybe next time 🙂

    1. Thank you. It is a good view from the road. Hope you manage to visit it properly one day though! 🙂

  6. What wonderful photos…we were hoping to visit Stonehenge this half term, but I had left it too late and struggled to get accommodation for five of us!! Looking at your photos I now feel like I visited! Stopping by from #CountryKids

    1. Oh what a shame you didn’t manage to visit over half-term. Fingers crossed you have another chance to visit soon.

  7. Ooh I’m so glad I read this, we are National Trust members and I didn’t realise you could go and visit the stones for free with membership, we might go and do that soon. My girls love Go Jetters too!
    Nat.x

    1. I didn’t realise either until we got there! Hope you and your girls manage to get there for a visit soon too 🙂

  8. Lol, I love the Go Jetters selfie. N likes that programme too.

    I’ve not been to Stonehenge since I was 3! That is pricy so good to know about the NT membership covering it. #countrykids

    1. Thanks Emma. It would have been pricey without the NT membership – such a relief to see it covered the entry! 🙂

  9. It looks like your girls had a lovely time. My little lady and I went there last summer, and as you say, thank goodness for national trust membership!! We walked up to them enjoying the various burial mounds and scenery (and a sneaky geocache!) on the way!! She loved the houses as well #countrykidsfun

    1. Thank you Sonia. I forgot to check for geocaches! Will have to remember that for next time 🙂

  10. He he that is seriously cool Mummy getting your birthday cards on CBeebies!! I’d love to visit Stonehenge one day it just looks really cool! Love the wet weather enthusiasts! #countrykids

    1. Thanks Karen – it was lovely to see how excited they were to visit even in the rain! 🙂

  11. Yay for CBeebies! I recall that we stumbled upon the cottage from “Teacup Time Travels” in Edinburgh a few years ago, and the kids got super-excited, so I can fully understand your girls’ excitement at walking in the footsteps (so to speak…) of the Go-Jetters. Plus, it’s Stonehenge! Wow!! Thanks for sharing. #CountryKids

    1. Thanks Jonny. My kids would be excited by the Teacup Travels cottage too – I didn’t know it was in Edinburgh 🙂

  12. I’ve wanted to visit Stonehenge for ever. Not that we’re short of of stone circles and standing stones in Ireland, but I find Stonehenge utterly fascinating, very much like Jessica! I bet she’ll remember this day forever, selfie or not 😉
    #CountryKids

  13. You are such a good mum getting the cards in on time for Cbeebies! I must sit my girls in front of Go Jetters more. At the moment Barbie stories are the flavour of the month – not quite so educational! Greta tip about Stone Henge being free for both English Heritage and National Trust members. I didn’t know that #countrykids

    1. Thank you Claire. The girls have yet to encounter Barbie – I have no doubt it will come in time though! 🙂

  14. That selfie with the Go Jetters is fantastic. People would pay money for one like that at tourist attractions. #CountryKids

  15. Ah my little boy loves the Go Jetters, or go go as he calls them! I’m determined to send a card to cbeebies for his next birthday, not sure if my skills are up to it though! Looks like you all had a great day out and made some amazing memories. I’ve only ever driven past the stones, would love to get a bit closer, bet it’s very impressive. #CountryKids

    1. Thanks Lauren – it was nice to get closer – we normally only see them from the road too.

  16. I LOVE the Go Jetters Souvenir Photo – lucky Jessica!! I have to admit I am a bit of a fan of the funky music from the programme! Stonehenge is a pretty impressive place though isn’t it? I haven’t been for years (partly due to the cost) but will make a note of the NT membership covering entry!

  17. That’s great to know that you can use your National Trust passes I had no idea. Definitely will be putting it on our list next time we are over that way. Good luck with the next CBeebies card I am sure you will be fine #CountryKids xx

    1. Thank you Clare. Was so good to find out we could use them – we’ll be more likely to make a return visit now! 🙂

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