Esperance Stonehenge is a full-sized replica of Stonehenge in England. It was recently purchased by Oliver Gillbard, originally from Devon, and his wife Tracey. It is open to the public and for special events. Pic: Supplied. 

Esperance Stonehenge, the only full-size replica of Stonehenge in the UK, has found new owners, three years after it went on the market. 

Tracey and Oliver Gillbard, a couple with a deep appreciation for ancient historical sites, have embraced the opportunity to become the custodians of this awe-inspiring attraction.

Hailing from Devon, England, Oliver has a special connection to Stonehenge, while Tracey, born and raised in Australia, shares his passion for ancient wonders. 

Since taking over, Tracey and Oliver have injected new life into the site, which is a copy of how the intact Stonehenge would have looked from 2000BC, rather than how it currently looks.

Visitors can now enjoy a range of events, including Sound Healing sessions and breathtaking sunset viewings. With their creativity and enthusiasm, they have exciting plans in store for the future, promising more memorable experiences for visitors to come.

Esperance Stonehenge recently celebrated the Summer Solstice with a spectacular performance. Two plays, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, were performed there by a talented group of actors. 

Like the original, the ‘Clonehenge’ is astronomically aligned with the summer and winter solstices to allow the sun’s rays to shine through its altar stone.  The circular layout amplifies sound, creating a truly mesmerizing experience for visitors.

Consisting of 137 stones made from Esperance Pink Granite, the monument weighs an astonishing 2,500 tonnes. Each stone was locally quarried and shaped, for a similar project in Margaret River in 2008, funded by a millionaire. That project fell through. Kim and Jillian Beale, who owned a hobby farm across from the quarry, decided to build the replica on their property with their own money. 

While the original Stonehenge took 1,000 years to build, the Beale’s replica was completed between January and October in 2011. 

The couple put it on the market twice, first in 2014 for $5 million, then again when they retired in 2020 for less than half that price. 

Esperance Stonehenge welcomes visitors every day and also offers drinks and snacks, Devonshire tea. A range of crystals, souvenirs, and gifts are also available for purchase.

For more information on visiting, go to their website at www.espereancestonehenge.com.au 

AT A GLANCE

• A full-size Stonehenge replica was built at Esperance, Western Australia, in 2011. 

• The tourist attraction brings in 16,000 visitors annually and also hosts weddings and theatrical events. 

• Like the original, the replica is astronomically aligned with the solstice events.

• While the original Stonehenge took 1,000 years to build, construction on the replica took less than one year. 

• Devon-native Oliver and his wife Tracey are the new owners of the attraction.