Since 1901, an entrance fee has been charged to visitors to Stonehenge. The land was originally in private ownership, but in 1918 was given to the Commissioners of Works by Mary and Cecil Chubb for the benefit of the Nation. Responsibilitiy for the stones has now passed to English Heritage who manages the monument and opens it to the public.

The 1918 Deed of Gift did not specify free access for local residents, but at that time public rights of way passed very close to the stones. These proved inconvenient to the management of the site, and in 1921 the Commissioners of Works sought to address this. An agreement was reached that the rights of way would be diverted further from the stone circle, outside of the fenced area, on the basis that residents of the then Amesbury Rural District and Parish of Netheravon would be granted the right of free access to the monument.

A resolution was passed by Amesbury Parish Council on 12 April 1921 station that: "...the Council relinquishes all claims on the right of way now enclosed, on condition that all householders and their families, (or all inhabitants) of the parishes, comprising the Rural District of Amesbury, and the householders and their families (or inhabitants) of the Parish of Netheravon, be granted free admission to Stonehenge at all times. Subject to the usual rules and regulations made by the Board for the proper management of Stonehenge as an Ancient Monument."

The agreement for free local access has continued to the present day. The Parish of Netheravon still exists, but Amesbury Rural District disappeared in the 1974 local government reorganisation. The agreement is accordingly taken to apply to all inhabitants of those parishes which were within the former rural district council area. These areas (which currently account for just over 30,000 residents) are as follows:

• The Town Council of Amesbury
• The Parish Councils of Bulford, Figheldean, Durrington, Durnford, Woodford, Winterbourne Stoke, Shrewton, Orcheston, Tilshead, Winterbourne, Idmiston, Allington, Newton Tony, Netheravon;
• The Parish Meetings of Milston, Wilsford-cum-Lake, and Cholderton.

English Heritage has continued to respect the agreement for free local access to the present day. Today, passes for free access can be applied for online. On receipt of a confirmation email which acts as an e-pass, local residents can book Stonehenge tickets online using the Affiliates ticket type. 

On arrival at Stonehenge, residents must produce two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic identification and the other must show proof of address (e.g. a council tax bill, utility bill, passport, driving licence photo card).

1. You will recieve a confirmation email that your application for a Local Residents Pass has been successful. This should be kept securely as a physical pass will not be issued.
2. The e-pass admits the holder and up to three children to Stonehenge during normal hours of admission.
3. The e-pass must be produced on each visit during normal opening hours. It is not valid for Stone Circle Experience visits or special events requiring a separate tickets.
4. The e-pass is for the holder and up to three children and is only valid for two years from the sent date.
5. E-pass holders are required to book their visit beforehand via the English Heritage website www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge by clicking on the ASSOCIATED ORGANISATION ticket option. Tickets must be booked for the adult and any children attending.
6. Additional adults in the household must apply for their own Local Residents Pass.
7. Car parking charges may apply.
8. The e-pass is non-transferable and may be used by the pass holder only who may be asked to present photo ID and proof of address on arrival at Stonehenge.
9. We reserve the right to revoke the e-pass at any time.
10. Non-compliance with these T&Cs will render the e-pass invalid.
11. By ticking to receive email in the section above we will keep you informed about events and offers taking place at Stonehenge.