Stonehenge savaged in American attack

Stonehenge, Britain’s most iconic heritage site, has been savaged by a leading publication in the American tourist industry.

National Geographic Traveler says that the Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circle is “a mess”, “over-loved” and over here lacking in magic.

The criticisms are made in a survey by the magazine of conditions at 94 UNESCO World Heritage Sites based on a point-scoring system.

Two other UK sites - the city of Bath and the West Country’s Jurassic Coast - won higher marks and praise.

Norway’s West Fjords topped the study, with 87 points, while Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley was placed bottom with just 39 points. Also doing badly in the latest survey were the Great Wall of China (55 points) and the Pyramids of Giza (50 points).