I have been reviewing site after site for a trip to Stonehenge from London. I realize the monument is 90 miles from the city. The big bus tours don't attract me much. Yet, I am torn between doing what would be a confusing on our own train trip to Salisbury, then the Stonehenge Tour vs. using one of the very pricy small group tour companies. What do you recommend for this family of five: two adults and three teenaged girls.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Go to Bath, spend the night. Rent a car the next day. Use the car to visit Stonehenge and Avebury, keep the car the 2nd day and see other world class sights in the area. Return the rental car the 3rd day, in Bath, then return to London by train. I've had good results with Avis in Bath.
Posted by
OP
Southeast USA
8 posts
The only issue is we are already paying accomodations at a B&B in London. Since the trip is already so expensive, I'm concerned about the larger cost of an overnight stay in Bath. Besides, this trip is in two weeks from now
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Oh. After reading your 2nd post, a big bus tour from London is sounding better for you. So you're in a big group. The cost for 5 is a factor, if it is, try it with public transportation. Will take all day. The big bus tours usually include more than just Stonehenge, try to Stonehenge and Avebury itinerary, but Stonehenge to Bath wouldn't be bad.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5529 posts
London Walks does a trip every Tuesday. The tour is 18 GBP plus the train fare.
http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/LW_TIMETABLE/default.aspx
I've taken a number of the London Walks day trips over the years including the Stonehenge and Salisbury walk. You get a guided walk in the morning, get a break for lunch on your own (the guide will point out pubs and other options) and get another walking tour in the afternoon. They are reasonably priced options for train travelers and the guides are generally very good.
Posted by
OP
Southeast USA
8 posts
Thanks for the imput. Unfortunately, Londo Walks only does the Stonehenge trip on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesday I had already booked theater tickets, and on Saturday, it is the day before our departure back to the US. I wanted to take the train to Salisbury on our own, but have no idea which train station is the best to take it from. Then I was going to take the Stonehenge Tour Company trip, as mentioned in the Rick Steves book. What do you think?
Posted by
15 posts
I'm not sure if I'm much help but I'm also going to London in 2 weeks and I purchased a morning half day trip to Stonehenge for 2 people through Premium Tours. It's 88 pounds (for two) plus 10% off if you book through the phone and state you live in the USA. My friend recommended the tour company so hoping I'm happy with this company.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13955 posts
Go to the National Rail site. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ Plug in London (don't have to pick a station it will do it for you) and Salisbury for your destination. Pick a departure time (say 830AM) and it will show you the train schedule and that it departs from London Waterloo Station.
I am going to do the bus from Salisbury in Sept so can't tell you how it works! Have you been to the website so you can see the bus times? In the summer it looks like they run every half an hour from the Railway station in Salisbury.
By the way, on the London Walks website it does say they take the 17:20 train from Salisbury that arrives back at Waterloo Station at 18:45 (6:45 PM) so people can get to the theater. It seems like a really long day for me but might work for others!
Posted by
Providence, RI
23 posts
We spent an entire day when we saw Salisbury and Stonehenge from London, but you can go at your own pace.
Buy tickets on uk.megabus.com and print them out at home. The train leaves from Waterloo Rail Station and only takes about an hour and a half. The Stonehenge bus is right outside the train station and you can buy your tickets on the bus. The audio guide is included in the price of the tour.
There is a farmer’s market in the Salisbury marketplace on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Salisbury Cathedral, which is just beautiful, is an easy walk back to the train station. An interesting site to learn about the graves in the Cathedral is: http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=cem&FScemeteryid=1977331
Posted by
Chattanooga
33 posts
We are a family of 4 adults staying in London for a week in August. After much research on how to day trip to Salisbury and Stonehenge, we have decided to rent a car from Heathrow early in the morning and return it late the same evening. It costs about $60 for the day car rental, and we can visit Woodhenge, Avebury, Old Sarum, and Woodford as well. It's significantly cheaper than public transportation for four, even considering the costs of gas and parking, if any. (We will have the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Passes, so parking at Stonehenge is free for us.) I admit that the stress level will be a little bit more . . .
It will be a long day, but we will see more than we could by bus and train.
Our first choice was to ride a train to Salisbury and take the guided bike tour with Heritage Tours (http://www.heritagecycletours.com/). Unfortunately for us, the guides, Dave and Linda, will be on vacation when we are.
Posted by
Chattanooga
33 posts
Just to clarify, the $60 rental charge is for a car with automatic transmission. Cars with manual transmission are much, much cheaper, like $20! If you want an automatic, reserve early.
WARNING! Before you try to save yourself a few dollars, consider if your marriage can survive your spouse driving on the "wrong" side of the road with the "wrong" hand. I decided the extra $40 is money well spent!