A NEW exhibition focusing on Stonehenge through the years will be opening tomorrow at the visitor centre with a wide array of artifacts on display.

Wish You Were Here! takes a look back at how the ‘henge was viewed by previous generations and it provides a glimpse at the iconic role it has played in popular culture.

For hundreds of years people have flocked to Salisbury and Amesbury to travel to the stone circle and the exhibition begins by looking at how the Victorians viewed the monument.

According to curator and archaeologist Julian Richards it was common place for tourists in the 19th century to chisel a part of stones away to keep as memorabilia.

It meant that “custodians” such as William Judd were forced to live in caravans on the plain and stop people “knocking chunks out of Stonehenge”.

Moving through time the exhibition also displays the first pictures of turnstiles which were erected 1934 when it cost 2.5p or roughly £1.60 in today’s money to visit.

Postcards went on sale in the early 1900s and from that point on, cards in sepia, lurid ‘tints’, black and white, and full colour document the changing face of Stonehenge and its surroundings.

From the 1970s onwards, the growing international recognition of Stonehenge saw the iconic stone circle spawn an eclectic range of art, music and popular culture.

Julian added: “I am fascinated by how Stonehenge has been experienced by visitors over the years and the way in which it has been used as an inspiration for art and music.

“I have been collecting ‘Stonehengiana’ for years, and I am delighted that the collection is now to appear at its natural home. There are things here that I hope will make visitors smile.”

Wish You Were Here! will open at Stonehenge visitors and exhibition centre on 1st May 2015 and will run until March 2016. Admission is included in the entry price for Stonehenge. Visitors are invited to share their experiences on social media with the hashtag #stonehengewishyouwerehere.

n To celebrate the opening of the exhibition the Salisbury Journal has teamed up with English Heritage to offer readers 20% off annual membership. Members get unlimited entry to over 400 historic places, free entry for up to six children under 19 in the family group, free or reduced entry to hundreds of exciting events, a free handbook and exclusive Members’ Magazine four times a year.

To get your special offer, visit english-heritage.org.uk/join or call 0370 333 1181 using promotional code SJ20, or present this voucher at either Stonehenge or Old Sarum. Offer closes 30th June 2015. Valid on new memberships only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount is not exchangeable for cash or otherwise.