Jutting from the green, green grass of Salisbury Plain, the chiselled monoliths of Stonehenge are a spectre of Albion's Neolithic past. They were first raised around 3,000 BC, with the iconic concentric ring of massive rocks dating to around 2,500 BC. Along with similar sites at Avebury and elsewhere along the Avon corridor, the place has enthralled historians and archaeologists with the promise of a glimpse at primeval Britain. Theories about what the site was used for are a topic of heated debate: Some say the monument was once a symbolic representation of the realm of the dead, fixed by ancient funeral paths to nearby towns in Wiltshire; others say it was a mystical healing centre, drawing pilgrims from all over Europe (the skeletons of which have already been discovered) to its magical bluestones on the meadows. These days, a brand-new visitors centre with dedicated Stonehenge tour guides offers a thought provoking introduction to the UNESCO site and its historical importance, while regular gatherings of Neo-Pagans and New Age travellers adds a little more diversity – especially during the equinox.