Stonehenge Stone Circle Access

Where are you staying? Can you just get a tour from where you will be. I can't imagine walking two miles there and then back as I don't remember any sidewalks, think you will be walking on the side of the road.

We are staying in London and taking the train out to Salisbury and Stonehenge via public transportation if possible. I was considering the tour, but the Stone Circle Access tour is either before or after hours that Stonehenge is open to the public, so the buses don't seem to run. Annaliese

Here are discussions of that had here: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/69037/stonehenge.html http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/53161/which-stonehenge-avebury-tour-to-choose.html

'I don't remember any sidewalks' There's a paved path on the shoulder of the road the whole way from Amesbury. For about fifteen bucks you can catch the Stonehenge Tour Bus from the Salisbury rail station. I know nothing about the Access Tour, but I've been inside the circle in the old days before the fence - - it's not much different.

We had a rental car but I seem to remember many people on this website recommending day trips from London to Stonehenge that will take you right there. For me also, to take a train then bus and then walk would be daunting. Wait and see what other people suggest. I seem to remember what was called Mad Max tours out of London but regardless even if it would cost a little more for a tour, the way you are planning to go seems far too much. Good luck. You might even be able to train to Bath and then a tour from there.. Have you read Rick's Britain books as he may have day trip advice in it or in his book on London.

I don't think the regular Stonehenge bus tours from London give you "stone circle access" - this is a special offer you book well in advance, and the hours are before and after regular hours for Stonehenge. We visited Stonehenge from Salisbury by renting bikes and riding the 11 km or so. It was a great ride on country roads, but I realize that won't work for everyone. This visit was in 1999, after the rope went up and you cannot approach the stones. This was very different from my first visit to Stonehenge, long ago when there was no fence or rope, and one could spend a whole afternoon sitting against a stone (as I did). I think "stone circle access" would be well worth it. Would taxi from Salisbury be an option? It is not far, so it couldn't bee too expensive (one would hope.)

We were at Stonehenge in April and took a Mad Max Tour out of Bath. I remember roads and no sidewalks. There were also crowds of people and about 25 buses at Stonehenge while we were there. I'm glad we visited Stonehenge but was pretty underwhelmed by the experience. Loved the stone circle at Avebury much better. Good luck.

There are some tour companies who do the Access tour from London. Search the web. I also recall somebody on this forum going on a similar Access tour (Mad Max?) from Bath

Just using Google, I found at least one company, Golden Tours, that operates a tour including the Stone Circle access, out of London. I've never used them, so I can't comment on the tour itself, but it apparently includes stops at the village of Laycock and a site or two in Bath that I can recommend. Personally I wouldn't recommend Stonehenge but I understand your wanting to see it. It's a longish day trip from London, so if you are going to do it, I recommend you forego the trains and just let someone else do the driving for you. It costs more, but might be worth it to be able to nap on the way back to your hotel at the end of the day.

The Stone Circle Access is DEFINITELY worth the extra money. Not only do you get to see the stones close up and not stand 50 yards away, but you can talk to the security guards who tell you great stories about what it's like to be there during the summer solstice and about the ghosts they've seen there on night watch (!) To me, there's not much sense in going unless we buy the access tickets. I've brought several groups of family and friends, and it's been a highlight for everyone.

I'd suggest a visit to Avebury (within an hour of Stonehenge). Avebury has its own very significant circle. While the stones aren't as immense as Stonehenge, you're able to walk right up to all of them, and touch them as well! - Bruce

Annaliese, It is absolutely worth whatever the cost for private access. While Avebury is a nice stone circle, Stonehenge is "the" stone circle. Accept no substitutes. Since we always have a car, I can offer no advice regarding transportation. It looks like other's are on top of it tho. If memory serves, your time within the circle is pretty generous too, I think about an hour.