More snapshots at Stonehenge

There were people down at the new centre yesterday, adding more interest, and here are some more views. The reaction there seems to be overwhelmingly positive – to the building, which is alive to the landscape, to the displays, which are both beautifully done and bravely informative, and to the facilities. The land train may take a bit more bedding in, and of course the old car park and facilities are still there out at the monument.

car park

Front, with cafe

Front, with toilets

View out front, to west

View out front with cafe

View out from back, towards east and (out of sight) Stonehenge

Land train

Turning circle for train at the monument. My back is to Stonehenge. On right is one of several information panels (this features the mesolithic postholes in the old – soon to be gone – car park)

In the gallery, timeline images reflect in a case that displays the neolithic chalk plaques from Amesbury

Remains from Winterbourne Stoke long barrow

Remains from Normanton Down

Adrian Green, director Salisbury Museum, Simon Thurley, chief executive English Heritage, and David Dawson, director Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Many of the items in the displays are loaned from these two county museums (all IDs left to right)

Steve Quinlan, managing partner at the London offices of architects Denton Corker Marshall, who designed the centre

Susan Greaney, senior properties historian at English Heritage, responsible for the exhibitions and author of the guide to the temporary display, with archaeologists Josh Pollard and Mike Allen

A large panel of archaeologists met occasionally over some years to discuss and advise on presentation at the centre and in the landscape. Here are some archaeologists: Josh Pollard (Southampton University), Julian Richards, Andrew Lawson, Mark Horton (Bristol University), Mike Allen and Alison Sheridan (principal curator of early prehistory, National Museums Scotland)

Some of the people who will see more visitors than any of us!

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