After starting life as a religious site, the stones became a crumbling and neglected relic - before becoming one of the world's top tourist attractions in more recent times.

Now a new exhibition reveals the extraordinary history of Stonehenge, and the different ways it has been interpreted by millions of visitors.

The display includes the first ever Stonehenge guidebook, a vast of array of tourist mementoes branded with a picture of the stones - and an LP by parody metal band Spinal Tap, who introduced the monument to a new generation.

The earliest construction at Stonehenge, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, dates back as far as 5,000BC, with the stones that still stand erected over the following millennium.

According to English Heritage, which now runs the Neolithic site, the area attracted visitors from Roman times, with medieval Britons regarding it as a wonder of the world.

In the Victorian era, the stones became neglected, with many of them lying on the ground and tourists allowed to clamber over them at will.

However, that was also the time when their possible value as a money-spinner was first recognised - in 1823, Henry Browne published a guide book titled 'The Unprejudiced, Authentic and Highly Interesting ACCOUNT which that Stupendous and Beautiful Edifice STONEHENGE in Wiltshire is found to give of itself.'

Following the literal reading of the Bible which was common at the time, Browne announced that Stonehenge must have been one of the few manmade sites to have survived Noah's flood.

In 1901, the site's custodians imposed an entry charge for the first time to pay for the costs of maintaining the stones and hiring a guard.

The new exhibition, titled Wish You Were Here!, features a montage of postcards from the early 20th century - but one shows how some visitors were less than impressed, with a tourist writing that the monument was 'not as large as I expected'.

Stonehenge became one the main centres of New Age religions, with self-professed pagans and druids, but this led to conflicts between those who wished to preserve the stones and people who regarded them as a living religious site. 

The area was roped off in 1977 to prevent any further damage to the monument caused by over-eager visitors, but after a series of highly publicised protests English Heritage now allows enthusiasts to clamber over the stones during the Summer and Winter Solstices.

At the same time, Stonehenge became an international symbol of the British past - and the new exhibition, which opens tomorrow, shows vividly how companies rushed to cash in on the monument's fame.

Included among the bizarre tat on display is a ceramic chicken with a picture of Stonehenge on it, a Stonehenge-themed letter opener and a game of dominoes with counters standing in for the stones.

Spoof rock band Spinal Tap made fun of the craze in a performance with an 18in model of the monument - and one of the band's LPs in the shape of Stonehenge is included in the exhibition.

Many of the exhibits are owned by archaeologist Julian Richards, who has spent much of his life collected memorabilia connected with the monument.

'Anyone visiting Stonehenge today is part of a long tradition,' he said. 'I am fascinated by how Stonehenge has been experienced by visitors over the years and the way in which it has been used as an inspiration for art and music.

'I have been collecting "Stonehengiana" for years, and I am delighted that the collection is now to appear at its natural home. There are things here that I hope will make visitors smile.'

Stonehenge general manager Kate Davies said: 'We are very excited to launch Wish You Were Here! and tell the more recent history of Stonehenge - as the place visitors have long been inspired by.

'We want today's visitors to take away a real sense of fun from this exhibition and hope that they are inspired to share their experiences - whether by traditional postcard or by social media.'

(dailymail.co.uk)