We have decided to stay in Bath for one or two nights so we can enjoy it without rushing. We want to include Stonehenge. I can't figure out the best way to get the most directly to/from Stonehenge without going to Salisbury. It does not appear that public transportation is readily available/convenient. Has anyone done such a connection? Any advice? Thanks!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Stonehenge is in the middle of Salisbury plain. There are no settlements nearby which would have public transport to them.
The only public transport is the tourist bus from Salisbury.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14822 posts
Yes, agree with Chris. I've done the local bus company's bus from Salisbury out to the stones and back. It's very convenient but yes you'd need to go to Salisbury and pick them up from the train station.
There is the Mad Maxx company that has tours from Bath City Centre to Stonehenge. I did their full day tour including Avebury, Lacock and Castle Combe and it was very good.
https://www.madmaxtours.co.uk/
There is also another small van tour company run from Bath that is Lion Tours. I sort of think a couple used to own Mad Max. They divorced and the wife got Mad Max and the husband started Lion - not 100% of that BUT I'd go with them as well, lol!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
I was at Stonehenge late December. It was a weekend and busy. The line to get tickets for folks driving in was easily an hour wait. And traffic all around the area was back to back. I took the HOHO bus from Salisbury and glad I did. The bus includes the Stonehenge entry ticket so only a few minites' wait while he gathered the tickets. It also appeared the approach from Salisbury was less busy for traffic as well.
The value of the HOHO bus from Salisbury is you can leave on any of the buses, rather than a tour driven time allowance. Salisbury is also a lovely little town in its own right. I did the visit from Southampton enroute to Heathrow. Not sure what the logistics are from Bath, but it looks like a bus or train to Salisbury is very feasible.
Posted by
2599 posts
It is very easy to catch a train from Bath to Salisbury - at least 1 per hour and it takes about an hour. When you arrive at Salisbury - take the shuttle bus out to Stonehenge. On returning to Salisbury - be sure to walk down to the medieval cathedral before catching a train back to Bath. www.nationalrail.co.uk or https://www.gwr.com
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
http://www.thestonehengetour.info/timetable
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1137 posts
I know you said you don’t want to be rushed, but FYI we did a full day bus tour from London to see Bath/Stonehenge and felt it was plenty of time.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14822 posts
"we did a full day bus tour from London to see Bath/Stonehenge and felt it was plenty of time."
Not picking on how anyone chooses to travel but the problem I have with statements like this is that until someone has done it other ways they have no idea how much they have missed!