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Visiting Salisbury, Stonehenge and Avebury in one day

We are traveling with our two children (ages 9 and 7) and staying in Bath for 3 nights/2 days later this month. We'll walk around Bath one day and would like to do Salisbury, Stonehenge and Avebury on another day. It's easy to take the train to Salisbury and then a taxi to Stonehenge.

But, how easy is it to get from Stonehenge to Avebury and then from Avebury back to Bath? Are there taxis or ride shares readily available at Stonehenge and Avebury? Is it expensive? We've looked at MadMax Tours but don't think the kids could last through an all day minibus tour and their tours don't include Salisbury.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Posted by
429 posts

Without a car I wouldn't think it worthwhile trying to do both Stonehenge and Avebury.
Avebury might be more fun for kids. Train to Swindon then bus to Avebury.

Posted by
7595 posts

We did all three, but we had a rental car. We didn't do it from Bath, we did it from our hotel near Heathrow.

I suggest visiting Wells and Glastonbury instead, they are closer.

Posted by
5239 posts

I suggest visiting Wells and Glastonbury instead, they are closer.

I disagree. Wells and Glastonbury are no substitute for Stonehenge and Avebury even more so with young kids in tow.

I very much doubt you'll find any ride shares in the area. You can take a bus from Salisbury direct to Stonehenge, it isn't far. Public transport from Stonehenge to Avebury will take around 3 hours, a taxi will be faster but quite expensive. This trip would benefit from a rental car even if you only rent for the day.

Posted by
3119 posts

I agree it without a rental car it would be difficult to fit in Avebury on the same day as Stonehenge and Salisbury. We visited Old Sarum one day, then Stonehenge and Avebury another day -- with a car. We didn't spend time in Salisbury itself.

There is a shuttle bus circulating from Salisbury to Old Sarum, a nearby park & ride lot, and Stonehenge.

I think kids aged 7 and 9 would get a lot out of Stonehenge. The visitor centre has a robust array of exhibits, indoors and out. Your entry includes an audio guide. There's a large gift/book store and a very nice cafeteria.

You can use the on-site free bus or choose to walk between various points on the Stonehenge property. I believe (but haven't personally done it) it's possible to walk all the way out to Woodhenge and from there to Durrington Walls, which is basically right across the road. All this walking would be weather dependent, though. It's a very exposed plain so if there happens to be much rain and wind on the day you're there, you'll get the full force of it.

Posted by
13809 posts

I believe (but haven't personally done it) it's possible to walk all the way out to Woodhenge and from there to Durrington Walls, which is basically right across the road.

It is possible and I have done it. It’s not far BUT you’d probably have to walk back to Stonehenge for onward transport. When I did this in 2016 there was a small sign about Woodhenge and no real explanation on Durrington Walls where we walked. Could have been more explanation on the other side. We walked on the lane between the two then struck off cross country behind Woodhenge.

It would be more interesting just to walk back from the Stonehenge stones on the paths by the tumuli and cursus.

I’ve done 2 Madmax tours. They are good but fast moving and I would not recommend for kids.

If you do this without a car, I’d take the train to Salisbury, take the shuttle to Stonehenge from the station. Take the shuttle back to Salisbury stopping at Old Sarum and then catch the train back to Bath. I love Salisbury Cathedral but that sounds like a long day.

Posted by
29 posts

The Salisbury Cathedral tour is incredible, you go to the rafters and see thousand-year-old oak beams holding things up! You might even get the "I've reached the heights" button that they give out (or, did a few years ago). Also there are one of the originals of the Magna Carta. Gorgeous and modern baptismal font. Maybe for your second trip!

Posted by
8570 posts

Short answer “ no. “

Stanford is a university not a city even if the campus has its own zipcode.

Berkeley is a city! GO BEARS!