Like Egypt’s pyramids, we’ve all seen Stonehenge from afar and wondered how it was built. Was it the work of a lost civilization, extraterrestrials, or simply an incredible feat of prehistoric engineering?
You can search for the answers to these questions and more for free this summer, all without the crowds of selfie sticks on your own private tour.
Per TimeOut, the ancient site will be available for exclusive showings every day in August, one of the best times of year to visit the U.K. when it’s generally warm — not gloomy as often depicted.
This marks the first time in more than a century you don’t have to share the bucket-list destination with fellow tourists- it’s estimated that upwards of 3,800 people visit daily.
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Obviously, the most convenient gateway for U.S. travelers is London, where Stonehenge is only about a two-hour train ride away once you’re done living out your Parent Trap moment atop a bright red double-decker.
Normally costing over $1,900 for a private tour, you longer have to fork over even a measly pence if you plan it right — with a little bit of luck on your side.
To enter the prize draw, you’ll need to book your ticket with English Heritage at least 72 hours before your trip. Winners are notified at least 24 hours in advance. It does require an early start, though — the guided tour begins at 9 a.m. and wraps up by 9:30 a.m., giving you the rare chance to experience the monument in a rare quiet state before thousands flock here throughout the day.
While you’re there, there’s no better opportunity to rattle off theories about the site’s construction and purpose, including a new theory that humans may not have had to transport the entire six-ton Altar Stone all the way from northeast Scotland.
