Stonehenge begins work on new education centre 

English Heritage has begun work on new education facilities at Stonehenge. Plans include a STEM discovery lab, digital studio, and a reconstruction of a Neolithic building.

The new facilities are hoped to enable more schoolchildren to visit and learn from the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The new facilities are set to launch for the 2026/2027 school year.

Part of the project will see English Heritage building a classroom within a reconstruction of a Neolithic building, big enough for 30 students.

This volunteer-led project will bring together existing Stonehenge volunteers and students from Exeter and Bournemouth Universities, all working under the guidance of experimental archaeologist Luke Winter.

The construction of Kusuma Neolithic Hall will use historically authentic methods and locally sourced materials including thatch, coppiced timber and chalk daub. It is to be based on archaeological evidence from nearby prehistoric settlement Durrington Walls.

Donors for the next project include Garfield Weston Foundation, Kusuma Trust, National Highways, Clore Duffield Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, Mr Rebhi Barqawi, and The Syder Foundation.

The construction of a new dedicated Learning Centre, will house a Clore Discovery Lab, Weston Learning Studio, digital production studio, Wolfson Foyer and an open-air courtyard to support sensory learning.

Steve Bax, English Heritage’s operations director for Stonehenge and west, said the organisation’s plans respond to increasing school visits.

“Expanding our offering with the new dedicated Learning Centre will transform our ability to deliver incredible educational experiences for students and instill a lifelong love of learning in every single child,” said Bax.

Construction of the new Stonehenge Learning Centre has already begun, and work on the Kusuma Neolithic Hall is expected to begin “shortly”.