‘A bunch of old rocks in a field’: England’s top bucket list experience named

Kristina Beanland

Published December 9, 2024 1:15pm Updated December 10, 2024 7:14pm

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From watching a West End show, to visiting Hadrian’s Wall and taking a boat trip on Lake Windemere, there are so many amazing things to see and do right on our doorstep.

And now, the top 20 bucket list attractions in the world have been named, and two are in England.

Ranking highest in the country, at number 14, is Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain, in Wiltshire.

One of the world’s most famous structures, it’s thought ancient Britons began work on Stonehenge in the late Neolithic Age, around 3000BC, making it about 5000 years old.

Considering people back then would have only had the most simple of tools, it’s considered a ‘masterpiece of engineering’ and we’re still not entirely sure why they went to all that effort.

The most generally accepted theory is that it was a type of temple, aligned with the movements of the sun. English Heritage says that it was likely used ‘to honour the ancestors and mark important moments in the calendar.’

Stonehenge with Blue Sky — The ancient site is world famous (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Lonely Planet call Stonehenge ‘mystical’ and ‘ethereal’ adding that it’s ‘a haunting echo from Britain’s forgotten past.’

And many famous faces, from King Charles III and Barack Obama to David Bowie and Lady Diana have all paid a visit to the famous site.

But, not everyone is quite soeasily impressed.

Various studies name the monument as one of the most ‘overrated’ in the world, and some travellers agree.

TripAdvisor reviewers have their fair share of complaints after visiting.

Summer Solstice 2019, Stonehenge, Salisbury, England — Tourists flock to the site every year for the Solstice (Picture: Getty Images)

Top 20 bucket list experiences in the world

Bali, Indonesia
Go on safari, Africa
Santorini, Greece
Disney World, USA
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Northern Lights
Machu Picchu, Peru
Taj Mahal, India
Eiffel Tower, France
Grand Canyon, USA
Hike Patagonia, Chile
The Statue of Liberty, USA
Mount Everest, Nepal
Stonehenge, England
Antarctica
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Big Ben, England
Niagara Falls, Canada
The Empire State Building, USA
Colosseum, Italy

Source: Go2Africa

‘Terribly over priced to walk round some rocks,’ said one traveller, who visited with friends in July 2024. And another, who also went in July with their family described it as ‘basically just a bunch of old rocks in a field.’ While a third visitor said ‘it’s just rocks, don’t bother.’

The high cost of admission has also been criticised, with one visitor calling it ‘outrageously expensive.’

It’s currently £25 (with donation) for adults to visit the site, £15 for children (aged five to 17) and £22 for concessions (students and those aged over 65).

Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida Bali — Diamond beach is one of most beautiful and pristine beach in Bali Indonesia (Credits: Getty Images)

That means a family of four could pay £80 to visit – there are also additional car parking fees.

But despite travellers grumblings, Stonehenge is one of the most visited sites in the UK, with more than 1.3 million people heading to the ancient stones last year, an increase of 23% year on year.

Elsewhere on the list by Go2Africa, a visit to Bali claimed first place as the world’s top bucket list experience, with an African safari coming in at second place, and visiting Santorini, Greece, in third.

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