Hi, I am flying to Heathrow with my 6 yo on3/26(Wed) from US, landing at noon. We will go directly to Salisbury and stay for two nights. From previous posts, it looks like we can take the RV2 to Woking and then train to Salisbury or take the tube vs a combo of uber and train? We will only have one hand-carry luggage, what will be the easiest (but not the most costly) way to get there with a child after an overnight flight? Do I need to book train tickets in advance? My child is fascinated with the stone circles so we plan to go to Stonehenge (thus staying in Salisbury) and wants to see if we can fit in Avebury stone circle? Also, what to see and where to eat in Salisbury?? TIA!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15261 posts
I've only gone to Salisbury after having been in London for a few days so no experience with travel there from Heathrow.
Once in Salisbury, for your one full day in the area, I'd take the local bus company's shuttle out to Stonehenge. It comes back by Old Sarum which is an Iron Age hill fort and the prior site of the cathedral for Salisbury. You can buy your tickets from the bus driver. The website calls it a "tour" but it's not really. Last time I took it they had a DVD running on the way out there but that is it. Once you are at the site you are on your own.
https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/stonehenge-tour
Once at Stonehenge, take the little shuttle tram out to the stones, then walk back to the Visitor Center via the Barrows (burial mounds) and the Cursus.
Avebury is harder to work in as transport is a bit more difficult.
In Salisbury, I'd see the cathedral. They have a Magna Carta there but that is hardly likely to hold the interest of a 6-year-old.
The Salisbury Museum is pretty good and has a lot of artifacts from Stonehenge on display.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9017 posts
There are three routes to Salisbury from Heathrow- in declining cost order-
the RA2 to Woking then the train to Salisbury. picks up at all terminals
the 446 to Woking from Terminal 4 (takes 1 hour 20 minutes, perhaps not the best in your case) or from Hatton Cross (for other terminals via tube)
the 730 coach- bus from Terminal 5 only to Basingstoke Station then train (Basingstoke is further west than Woking). That bus costs £6 currently (so well cheaper than the RA2) .
The journey is long enough that you can get a snooze.
Just buy tickets when you arrive at the station as your flight could be early or late.
The ticket you want from Basingstoke to Salisbury is called an 'Evening Out Single'- that is £17 for you and £8.50 for the child, from Woking you would buy a Super Off Peak Single and is £28.60 for you and £14.30 for the child.
From either Woking or Basingstoke the train runs every 30 minutes.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9017 posts
Salisbury to Avebury you take the 2/2A/X2 hourly to Devizes, then switch bus to the 49 which runs to Avebury (final destination Swindon) every 30 minutes.
Note that from Stonehenge you can catch the X2 direct to Devizes at 1313 and 1413
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all! This is super helpful!