Stonehenge has been nominated as Heritage Site of the Year by best-selling author Bill Bryson in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.

This year's award nominations appear in the February issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine, on sale 19 January 2017, and feature 12 categories. BBC Countryfile Magazine asked experts in each field to look back over the past 12 months and draw up a shortlist of nominees in each category.

Now in their sixth year, the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards are a celebration of our countryside and its people - from great heritage attractions and favourite holiday destinations, to the best nature reserves and the finest rural pubs.

Bryson said:

"For decades it was one of Britain's great disappointments because facilities were so charmless and shabby. Now there is a wonderful state-of-the-art visitor centre with imaginative displays and a terrific café that perfectly complement the ancient stones. If you haven't been to Stonehenge for years, visit now and prepare to be joyfully surprised."

Three highlights from the English Heritage project to transform the visitor experience of this iconic site include:

• An improved landscape setting for Stonehenge. The old outdated facilities have been removed and the A344 adjacent to the stones has been returned to chalk downland, reuniting the monument with its Avenue.
• A new sensitively designed and environmentally sustainable Stonehenge visitor centre has been built, providing high-quality and fully accessible exhibitions, café and shop.
• Better interpretation of the whole World Heritage Site. Innovative displays are designed to engage and inspire visitors, while equipping them to explore Stonehenge and its landscape.

Jennifer Davies, English Heritage General Manager for Stonehenge said:

"We are thrilled that Stonehenge has been nominated for the Countryfile Awards and do hope that lots of people across Wiltshire will vote for us! If you haven't visited for a while, come and see the fantastic improvements that Bill Bryson mentions and see the changes for yourself."

Voting runs from 19 January to 28 February 2017. You can vote for Stonehenge here: www.countryfile.com/awards or via via post using the form in the February issue of the magazine, sending entries to BBC Countryfile Magazine, Tower House, Fairfax Street,Bristol, BS1 3BN.

The winners will be announced in an online ceremony mid-March and will appear in the May issue of the magazine, on sale 7 April.