Day trip to Stonehenge and the Salisbury Museum

Written by Su Latt Win, Assistant Curator, ZaykabarMuseum (Myanmar, ITP 2026)

Hello, friends! I am Su Latt Win from Myanmar. I work as an Assistant Curator at the ZKB Museum, a private museum in Myanmar. Although I had five years of experience working with a large museum collection, I realized that both I and my museum still needed more systematic knowledge and professional training. The International Training Programme (ITP) has filled these gaps by giving me new knowledge, practical skills, and fresh perspectives that I can take back to my museum and share with my colleagues. I first learned about the ITP at the British Museum’s closing reception last year. When I saw the participants’ activities and learned about the programme, I dreamed of becoming an ITP participant in the future. I am very happy that my dream has now come true. I am truly appreciated ITP, the British museum and the UK partner museum for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Today, our ITP family took a day trip to Stonehenge and the Salisbury Museum. Another wonderful day of learning, exploring, and making memories together! I have been familiar with Stonehenge for more than two decades because it has appeared as my computer desktop image many times. However, seeing it in person was a completely different and unforgettable experience. Stonehenge is one of the UK’s most iconic archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Wiltshire, England, this prehistoric monument was built thousands of years ago during the Neolithic period. The massive stone circle continues to fascinate people because its exact purpose is still debated. It may have been used for ceremonies, rituals, or observing the movement of the sun. Visiting Stonehenge was a memorable experience, allowing me to connect with the deep history and cultural heritage of Britain. After sightseeing at Stonehenge, we also visited the exhibition. The exhibition design was very effective in helping visitors understand the whole site. Since we had already seen the stones in situ, the exhibition provided further explanations about their history, construction, and significance, together with excavated objects and archaeological evidence.

Then, we continued our trip to Salisbury. The first thing I noticed was the magnificent beauty and enormous scale of Salisbury Cathedral. Its impressive architecture immediately captured my attention. Directly opposite the cathedral’s west front is the Salisbury Museum. Luckily, our visit coincided with the museum’s Archaeology Day festival. There were many activities for visitors of all ages, including hands-on experiences, demonstrations, and opportunities to learn more about archaeology. The lively atmosphere made our visit even more enjoyable. I also felt that the Salisbury Museum is more than just a museum, it serves as a community hub. It brings local people, families, volunteers, and visitors together through exhibitions, educational programmes, and community events. The museum creates a welcoming environment where everyone can learn about and celebrate the rich history and archaeology of Salisbury and the surrounding area. I learned a lot from the Salisbury Museum displays. Although the museum is not very large, it provides a great deal of valuable information and creates meaningful experiences for visitors. The museum serves not only as an educational centre but also as a community centre. Most of the exhibitions encourage visitor participation, and children especially seem to enjoy the interactive museum environment. I believe this is very important because younger generations need opportunities to learn about their own history, culture, and heritage.

Our ITP family enjoyed a wonderful day exploring Stonehenge and the Salisbury Museum. Visiting one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites was a dream come true, and the museum exhibition helped me understand its history even better. In Salisbury, I was impressed by the beautiful cathedral and the lively Archaeology Day festival at the Salisbury Museum. It was a memorable day filled with learning, inspiration, and shared experiences with friends from around the world. Thank you very much, ITP, for this wonderful day trip and for creating such a meaningful learning experience.