I have 2 days following RS London Feb ‘26. Thinking of Stonehenge but also considering where to stay.
I want to train from London & stay in an interesting accessible area. Accessible to London train, to sites, Stonehenge. Also, very important, to be able to get via train to Heathrow well before my Monday noon flight.
A working itinerary early in progress. Bath? Salisbury? Train, hotel?
I don’t want to rush just to say, yeah, I saw it but had to keep moving.
Welcome to suggestions
I don't think their is a wrong answer if you're trying to decide between Salisbury and Bath; both have plenty to see to keep you busy for two days. If Stonehenge is a priority though, my first pick would be Salisbury because it's close. I enjoyed both cities giving the nod to Salisbury if I had to choose between the two. I can't comment on ease of transportation back to Heathrow though.
From Bath the easiest (and cheapest way) to Heathrow is the direct National Express bus- there is a 0545, arrive 0805 (also an 0350 arrive 0615), but maybe go up the previous night in case of an incident on the M4.
From Salisbury a train to either Basingstoke (for the 730/731 bus to Heathrow) or Woking for the rail/air bus. The Basingstoke route is the much cheaper.
Salisbury depart 0508 Basingstoke a 0553 d 0615, Heathrow arrive 0730, or Salisbury depart 0605 Heathrow arrive 0650, depart 0725 Heathrow a 0900, or again go up the previous night.
Rail/Air route- Salisbury depart 0508 Woking 0612/0639 Heathrow arrive 0733 then every half hour
EDIT- It is too late for you but National Express run one direct bus from Salisbury daily at 0745, arriving at Heathrow Terminal 5 at 1020 and Central Bus Station (Terminal 2 and 3) at 1040
https://www.stonehenge.co.uk/visitor-information
Salisbury is the nearest rail station to Stonehenge and buses usually leave the train station hourly.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge
BUT for February check all timetables for train, buses and admission and the weather of course.
Bath is a great place to visit, and we love it. But, as Allan mentioned, if Stonehenge is your priority, my first pick would also be Salisbury because it's much closer.
The Brooks Guesthouse in Bath is a great B&B, also dine at The Scallop Shell for best fish and chips in England.
I had a similar question and MaxMax tours were recommended for seeing SH from Bath.
Enjoy!
Salisbury. Although many years ago my friend, her sister and I trained from London to Salisbury then bussed to Stonehenge from there. Only people on the bus. Long day but doable.
40 years ago things were very different. I’m grateful for the memory and photos.
Other than 5 individuals dressed in long white robes we were the only 3 people at Stonehenge. (The 5 in the white robes stepped over the rope fence and headed into the rocks. ) They were members of a cult who we there to ascend. ( Kid you not)
To this day have no clue where the guards came from…all I know is they encircled the “ time travelers” rather quickly.
In a box in the closet I have 24 photos of the 3 of us there after the guards politely herded the intruders away. Politely defined as no guns, no yelling, and calm.
To this day I remain fascinated by all the theories about how the rocks were carved, moved and erected. Same with the Pyramids, the Moai statues on Easter Island, Machu Picchu and Newgrange.
