Wiltshire's Mysterious Sites -------------Hauntings------------ Woodmanton Longleat House Oldbury Camp ---------------Stone Circles----------- Woodhenge ---------------Major Sites----------- Stonehenge Avebury Silbury Hill ---------------Legends----------- ---------------Burial Mounds----------- West Kennet Long Barrow ---------------UFO's----------- Warminster ---------------Folklore----------- Cley Hill Winklebury Camp ---------------Hill Figures----------- Westbury White Horse Home Site Map Wiltshire Map England Map Scotland Map Wales Map Stonehenge Stonehenge is one of the most impressive stone circles in the British Isles, its profile against the sky is one of the most instantly recognisable the world over. The henge has existed in one form or another for over 5,000 years and archaeologists have identified four separate phases of construction, completed over a period of nearly 2,000 years. Folklore and Legend According to folklore African giants came and settled in Ireland many thousands of years ago, they brought with them a temple of stone from their country and re-erected it in County Kildare. The stones were renown for their healing properties especially when infused with water, known as the Giant's Dance they still existed in Ireland long after the giants had died out as a race. In the 5th Century Merlin brought the stones over from Ireland in ships and with the aid of magic, and erected them on Salisbury Plain. They were to mark the graves of some British nobles who were slaughtered by the invading Saxons under the command of Hengist. Other folklore suggests the stones are uncountable, a common legend throughout Britain. The name Stonehenge may derive from the Anglo Saxon Hengen meaning hanging gibbet, or from the old Engish for hanging stone. For a more in depth overview click here: Map ref: SU 123 400 Directions: The public car park is just off the A344.