In an age marked by uncertainty and upheaval, people are increasingly drawn to unexpected sources of solace and connection. A thought-provoking new photography exhibition at Stonehenge, one of Britain’s most iconic prehistoric monuments, sheds light on the growing allure of the country’s many ancient stone circles. Through the lenses of three emerging artists, “Echoes: Stone Circles, Community and Heritage” makes a compelling case that these enigmatic sites are more relevant than ever as sanctuaries for belonging and meaning.
Timeless Gathering Places Resonate Anew
While it may be tempting to regard stone circles as mere relics of a bygone era, the exhibition reveals how they continue to captivate diverse visitors of all ages and beliefs. Yuxi Hou, a 20-year-old Nottingham-based artist whose work focuses on Arbor Low in the Peak District, believes their appeal is fundamental:
“Stone circles bring people together,” she explains. “I think people want to connect to nature, to the land, to the people around them. It’s a human thing, very natural.”
– Yuxi Hou, exhibition artist
Hou’s images capture scenes of celebration and meditation at Arbor Low, underscoring the site’s role as a “living space” and “safe space for everybody to find solace.” This sentiment is echoed by English Heritage archaeologist Jennifer Wexler, who notes a marked increase in stone circle visits following the Covid-19 pandemic and amid mounting ecological anxieties:
“Stone circles connect the past with the present, linking personal histories to community and memory to belonging. These sites continue to inspire us as symbols of connection, belonging and meaning.”
– Jennifer Wexler, English Heritage prehistorian
Transcending Boundaries, Forging New Ties
The exhibition also highlights how stone circles have the power to bring together people of vastly different backgrounds. Serena Burgis, a 24-year-old British-Thai artist from Dorset, chose to photograph the Kingston Russell circle through a highly personal lens, collaborating closely with her Thai mother and other women from the local Southeast Asian community:
“Most of them had never been there so it was really fun. We had picnics, which is obviously a very English thing to do, but also a very Thai thing. There’s something about sitting on the earth, sharing food together.”
– Serena Burgis, exhibition artist
For Burgis, stone circles are inherently inclusive spaces that are “part of everyone’s history, rather than an elite few,” their humbleness making them accessible to all. This democratic ethos is shared by fellow artist Sally Barton, 25, who drew inspiration from childhood memories at the Nine Ladies circle in the Peak District:
“I wanted to remind children local to the site that the stones are theirs.”
– Sally Barton, exhibition artist
Illuminating Our Ancestral Bonds
Beyond their immediate appeal as gathering places, the exhibition suggests that stone circles tap into something far more primal – a deep-seated human need to feel part of something greater than ourselves. By connecting us to the distant past and to the natural world, they offer a sense of rootedness and continuity that feels especially vital in turbulent times.
As we grapple with the challenges of an increasingly fragmented and uncertain world, the enduring power of these ancient sites to foster community and belonging is well worth pondering. “Echoes: Stone Circles, Community and Heritage” is a poignant reminder that even as our societies evolve, the most fundamental human needs remain constant – and that sometimes, the answers we seek may be found in the most timeless of places.
The exhibition runs from February 15 to September 7, 2025 at the Stonehenge visitor center. In inviting us to see the iconic monument and its lesser-known counterparts through fresh eyes, it offers a uniquely moving perspective on why we are drawn to these silent sentinels of stone, and what they might yet teach us about ourselves.
