# Should Christopher Walken be allowed to touch Stonehenge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 21, 2022, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177 "2022-04-21T15:40:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/1 "2022-04-21T15:40:54Z")
Mr. Walken is now appearing in a British series called “The Outlaws”, created by and starring Stephen Merchant. Mrs. solost and I watched ep 1, and I had mixed feelings about it. I settled in expecting to enjoy some lovely dry, droll Brit wit, and while there was a decent amount of that, there was also a surprisingly serious subplot involving two teenagers who get involved in a dangerous interaction with a gang in order to protect a relative, which I was not expecting and kind of threw me. Anyway, back to Mr. Walken-- I saw this amusing AVClub article about how the crew visited Stonehenge and he wanted to touch a rock, but was refused. Merchant himself attempted to intervene: > I took her to one side and said, “He’s 78 years old. He’s an Academy Award winner. He’s Christopher Walken. He’s come 3,000 miles. These things have been here 5,000 years. You can’t just let him touch a stone?” And she’s like, “No. Definitely not.” So, should Christopher Walken be allowed to touch the stone? I’m torn-- part of me says yes, absolutely! But part of me would be afraid that Christopher Walken making contact with Stonehenge may bust open the final seal of the Apocalypse, dooming us all, or something. > **[Let Christopher Walken touch a Stonehenge rock, cowards!](https://www.avclub.com/christopher-walken-stonehenge-rock-stephen-merchant-out-1848820015)** > > The actor attempted to get up close and personal with the monument while filming new series The Outlaws ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/2 "2022-04-21T15:42:34Z")
Is anyone else allowed to touch Stonehenge? No? Then Christopher Walken can’t touch Stonehenge. Being an academy award winner, etc., blah, blah, blah shouldn’t give you carte blanche to ignore the rules. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/3 "2022-04-21T15:43:07Z")
Now I feel special - I’ve touched all the major stones there. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/4 "2022-04-21T15:45:02Z")
Me too ! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/5 "2022-04-21T15:45:38Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Is anyone else allowed to touch Stonehenge? No? Then Christopher Walken can’t touch Stonehenge. Being an academy award winner, etc., blah, blah, blah shouldn’t give you carte blanche to ignore the rules. Well, if the ‘No. Definitely not’ Stonehenge caretaker who Stephen Merchant spoke to quits her job, and you decide to relocate and apply for it, I bet you’ll do very well in the interview process 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/6 "2022-04-21T15:46:57Z")
Hollywood royalty doesn’t mean much here - we have royalty, who I can assume can touch whatever they like. But Christopher Walken isn’t special. My sole claim to fame, Stephen Merchant’s sister is my neighbour, and they filmed a scene from that series in my office. I can attest that Stephen gets his remarkable height from his mother, who I have seen picking the grandkids up. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/7 "2022-04-21T15:48:06Z")
Assuming that “no touching the stones” is a general rule, then absolutely not. “The rules don’t apply to this guy because he’s famous” is a horrible policy, no matter what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/8 "2022-04-21T15:49:24Z")
As long as he doesn’t try to pick up a small piece, say the size of wristwatch, and smuggle it back to the USA, I say why not? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/9 "2022-04-21T15:50:02Z")
Maybe she’s afraid he’d try to smuggle one out in his ass. Damn! Ninja’ed! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/10 "2022-04-21T15:50:47Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > Assuming that “no touching the stones” is a general rule, then absolutely not. > > “The rules don’t apply to this guy because he’s famous” is a horrible policy, no matter what you’re talking about. Jeez, I expected more amusing responses, not a lot of ‘Elementary school teacher scolding’-style repiles 🤨 > [@muldoonthief](#): > > As long as he doesn’t try to pick up a small piece, say the size of wristwatch, and smuggle it back to the USA, I say why not? > [@Shoeless](#): > > Maybe she’s afraid he’d try to smuggle one out in his ass. > > Damn! Ninja’ed! _ **That’s better!** _ ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/11 "2022-04-21T15:56:40Z")
Apparently, [a 1979 law, and later regulation](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/stone-circle-access-visits/stone-circle-access-terms-and-conditions/), prohibits any touching or climbing on the stones. > [@](#): > > Stonehenge is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (“the Act”) and the **Stonehenge Regulations 1997** (“Regulations”). You must adhere to the regulations outlined in the Act and Regulations or you may face criminal prosecution. No person may touch, lean against, stand on or climb the stones, or disturb the ground in any way. No equipment can be attached to, leant on or supported by the stones. I have no idea if touching, per se, would do any damage to the stones, though many thousands of touches might add up. But, part of the issue is apparently not just plan-old touching with a hand, but all of the other shenanigans and defacements that have happened when people could come into contact with the stones. > **[Stonehenge: English Heritage make it very clear](https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/stonehenge-english-heritage-make-it-very-clear/)** > > In answer to an enquiry from a user of The Modern Antiquarian forum English Heritage have made their position on climbing onto the stones at Stonehenge crystal clear. They point out they have no ch… ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/12 "2022-04-21T15:59:09Z")
Keep it in the family. If Chris Walken wants to touch a stone, find Chris Rock. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/13 "2022-04-21T16:24:37Z")
I misread the OP as, “…created by and starring Stephen Merchant, Mrs. solost and I”. That period does clarify things. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/14 "2022-04-21T16:30:47Z")
What a struggle it was for Mrs. solost and I to work with him, too! He has no sense of humor whatsoever. Clearly Gervaise carried him through most of his previous projects. Does not take direction well, either. Kept hitting his head on doorframes and such 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/15 "2022-04-21T16:53:04Z")
Given that [Christopher Walken painted over a Banksy](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/11/arts/christopher-walken-banksy-destroyed.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWna3HMDm8biO0PH5PH8EfXZLF_YMMz0i7eW9ZFM7IpAfZ7yOxELglhRhK0uJyVlZhDIzkwrcj7eFIK6K_3fOJy9y72PC7-If1jxba7slWMaGe7X_DY2Gl1IAhjvZdudQ61iXILwbOWELQhj4Z-1ax3B8hqVHxXMnnxyvrrAhh8PNmUPFqLukRtBbYvCXyElsWc6rkAbAxUFVnFKXt76mo_49haU8gFaOe9d1VzPZqj3shCTzBgP4yrBJYuRoTLlL0MsbHFrRSEy8fe1Oyto9icRANKOHluuYHMTDDV&smid=url-share) during the filming of a previous episode of the show, of course he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Stonehenge. (Gift link to NYTimes article that should be accessible by anyone.) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/16 "2022-04-21T16:56:40Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Given that [Christopher Walken painted over a Banksy](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/11/arts/christopher-walken-banksy-destroyed.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWna3HMDm8biO0PH5PH8EfXZLF_YMMz0i7eW9ZFM7IpAfZ7yOxELglhRhK0uJyVlZhDIzkwrcj7eFIK6K_3fOJy9y72PC7-If1jxba7slWMaGe7X_DY2Gl1IAhjvZdudQ61iXILwbOWELQhj4Z-1ax3B8hqVHxXMnnxyvrrAhh8PNmUPFqLukRtBbYvCXyElsWc6rkAbAxUFVnFKXt76mo_49haU8gFaOe9d1VzPZqj3shCTzBgP4yrBJYuRoTLlL0MsbHFrRSEy8fe1Oyto9icRANKOHluuYHMTDDV&smid=url-share) during the filming of a previous episode of the show, of course he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Stonehenge. Well, it’s not like he wants to whitewash Stonehenge, just touch it (though after 5,000 years, honestly I’d say it’s due for a little freshening up, innit?). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/17 "2022-04-21T16:58:12Z")
Sure, but what happens when he touches it and the whole thing falls over like a set of dominoes? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/18 "2022-04-21T17:00:03Z")
Yeah, Chevy Chase already spoiled it for everybody: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DewEKz9TzmM/hqdefault.jpg "Griswolds at Stonehenge") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DewEKz9TzmM) ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/19 "2022-04-21T17:02:21Z")
If the monument preservation people didn’t have the rule, can you imagine how long the stones would be left standing? I’d guess about 10 minutes, given the general run of mankind these days. Walken presumably wouldn’t have done any harm, but it’s a very important rule. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177/20 "2022-04-21T17:40:18Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > But Christopher Walken isn’t special. Blasphemer! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christopher-walken-be-allowed-to-touch-stonehenge/963177.md?page=2)