I will be traveling to London this summer for the first time. I would like opinions on whether I should book a day trip to Stonehenge/Bath from London before leaving the U.S., or wait until I am there. Also, has anyone queued up for tickets to a Wimbledon tennis game the day of? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Moncton NB
1041 posts
I did the queue at Wimbledon; it was a blast! I took the tube to Southfields station, and a bus a few stops further to Woodspring Road. From there, walk into the park and join the queue. I think I got there around 7:00 or 8:00 am. The first few hundred people get show court tickets, the rest (including me) get grounds tickets, which allow you to go to any match except the four biggest courts. I saw Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Mardy Fish, and Martina Navratilova in a seniors match. Then the best part; Wimbledon resells the seats of the many people who leave after the Serenas and Andys are done their matches on Centre Court, so I got into Centre Court to watch Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber. Plus did all the cliches like strawberries and cream and Pimms Cups. I highly recommend it.
Posted by
94 posts
I don't have any advice for you but I am wondering the same thing. I'm planning a surprise trip for my mom in September. I don't think she'll be interested in Stonehenge, so I don't want to book ahead. BUT, I have wondered if we get there and she decides it's something she wants to see after all, if we'll be able to make arrangements last second. Not sure how busy September is for tourism.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1069 posts
"Not sure how busy September is for tourism."
Kids usually go back to school in the first week of September BUT people who don't have kids often holiday in the following 3 weeks.
Posted by
Land of La
8709 posts
Book in advance. You are traveling at the height of tourism. Crowds will be everywhere. Think Disneyland.
As far as September everything will be open, temps a bit cooler. Crowds but nothing like one finds in June, July, August.
Posted by
3122 posts
Your question implies you want to see both Stonehenge and Bath in a day trip from London. Personally I would not want to do that because I would want more time at Stonehenge than a combination tour can allow. Stonehenge has a beautiful visitor centre with informative exhibits indoors and outdoors, in addition to the audio guide you can listen to while walking around the henge itself. To spend half a day there would not be too much, IMO. If you're keen to get a good understanding of the neolithic past of that region of England, then look for a tour that gives you Stonehenge, Woodhenge & Durrington Walls, and perhaps Avebury.
It's up to you, of course -- if you just want to be able to say that you've seen Stonehenge, then go ahead and combine it with Bath.