The WHS covers two large areas of land separated by about 24 kilometres (15 mi), rather than a specific monument or building.

Some large and well known monuments within the WHS are listed below, but the area also has an exceptionally high density of small-scale archaeological sites, particularly from the prehistoric period.

There are 160 separate scheduled monuments, covering 415 items or features.

It covers an area of 26 square km and is centred on the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge.

Ownership is shared between English Heritage, the National Trust, the Ministry of Defence, the RSPB, Wiltshire Council, and private individuals and farmers.