English Heritage was set up by the government to protect historic sites, and then spun out as an independent charity to continue that role.

Protecting sites includes limiting the numbers who can visit, hence enclosing them. That allows visitor numbers to be capped and managed (which reduces damage from over tourism) and also prevents illicit access and vandalisn.

In the case of seahenge it was literally rotting away - the decision was made to excavate and preserve what was left. That was in response to press campaigns to do something to save seahenge; it was a controversial at the time and remains so now. They did this while still part of the UK government in 1999.

Stonehenge was gifted to the nation in 1915 and had been on private land up to that ppint. A lot of expensive work has been done to preserve the site including demolishing other structures to preserve the skyline, and even recently burying a section of road.

Visitor charges and subscriptions pay for English Heritage to continue their work and preserve our history. They’re not “robbing bastards”, they’re a non profit with an expensive role.

When I was over there last year, we tried to shoehorn Stonehenge into our plant since we would be driving past in on the way to Bath. I heard from plenty of people that it’s almost not worth it unless you’re just really interested in its specific history. I was told it gets crowded pretty quickly (lots of tourists groups), and you can’t get very close to it anymore. We dropped it and saw it from the motorway on the way to Bath.

If it makes you feel any better, I was on a student ambassador trip to the UK and Ireland in the very early 2000’s. Stonehenge wasn’t on our itinerary, but we were traveling past and wanted to see it. Our local guides warned us that we might be disappointed, but we insisted. I won’t say it wasn’t worth it to see, but we were all pretty underwhelmed. It was still a neat and striking experience to see, but we were kept pretty far away from the stones. They were roped off in a field by the highway, and there wasn’t much in the way of historical exhibits to spend time enjoying.

Are you me?

Almost same, I only went because some friends were visiting and they wanted to go. It’s fine.

As a huge Dynasty Warriors and Three Kingdoms fan (I own a copy thats 2400 pages!) I’d go with you… but there’s the whole issue of the Pacific Ocean being in the way.

I’ve always wanted to go up there Island hopping in the summer!

Edit: wow, I was off by a whole state, the below is actually in Minnesota!

I’ve always been a fan of map oddities. Oak Island in Michigan or fort Charles, where the closest land crossing is Canada, they seem so interesting

I spent a whole afternoon using Google maps to go around Jim’s corner

Sorry, you mean Canada, right?

Yeah. Visiting the tourist traps in your city are always something that you defer until somebody comes to visit and you start to think well what are we going to do? I know we’ll take them to the tourist traps

Same. I only went to the Empire State building because it was a school trip.

I’ve been there. Totally fun to explore! Don’t be shy. Your money spends just like anyone else’s.

Natural bridge is super nice I need to see C&O as well

Is it the kind of place you would like to have visited? But just never had the plan come together?