Stonehenge

[DW2DH&DS]

I am curious about suggestions on how to accomplish this little side trip. We will be in London for 5 nights prior to the Northern European Cruise next July. We absolutely want to see Stonehenge...it's a must!!! We are wondering whether to book a day excursion for 3 people or to simply rent a car for the day and do it leisurely on our own? How would any of you do it?

[TiggerTails57]

Rental cars are not cheap in the UK.......If that's all you will need the car for I think I would rather take a guided tour.

[Cruise]

I agree that the guided tour would probably be easier. Keep in mind that the British drive on the other side of the road. If you're not used to this or haven't done it before, it can be a bit disconcerting. And that's before you even get to the roundabouts The motorways around London can get quite congested and navigating isn't always easy.

And unless things have changed in the last couple of years, you'll also pay a much higher premium for an automatic transmission so if you do go this route, the driver should be very comfortable driving a stick shift.

[mmouse37]

I am like you....Stonehenge was on my list my we went to London in 2007. We took a guided bus tour and it was fine. I was quite surprised, actually, when we got to Stonehenge....from all the pictures that I have seen of it I thought it was off all by itself in a field....boy was I surprised when I saw there is a highway that runs right by it!!! It was still fascinating to see and of course there is a gift shop.

I believe there is also a special tour that you can do where you can go right up to the stones (the normal tour you can't). I think the close up tour is only held very early mornings.

We also did trips to Windsor Castle, Blenheim Castle, Bath and the Cotswolds.

MJ

[*Chrissi*]

Hi!

Sorry I am not too fussed about Stonehenge due to the reasons the mmouse37 mentioned. If I were you I would try to take a tour which combines it with a few other sights of England. Have a look at www . evanevanstours . co.uk . They have nice tours and one they offer includes Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle. Bath is well known for it's Architecture and I absolutely love Windsor Castle and the Village is really cute as well.

Chrissi

[SharonLowe]

Here are two other options for a Stonehenge tour that includes other sites - http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/...stonehenge.htm or http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/...astle-tour.htm

We too didn't find Stonehenge as impressive as it seems. We liked it much better when you could walk around before they fenced it in (but totally understand why they had to fence it in). We think the Avebury Stones are more impressive and you can walk all around the huge field where they are found. But, totally understand that everyone wants to see Stonehenge if they get the chance.

[jnadelman]

If you are going to do this, I STRONGLY recommend doing is via a tour bus that actually includes something else and makes a full day out of it.
Not to bust your bubble, because it is something spectacular, but....You drive 2+ hours into the middle of NOWHERE, and you see a bunch of big rocks standing there that look exactly like every picture you have ever seen. It can be awe inspiring, or it can be a big let down. Keep in mind, you don't get to go very close to it either.

[sabrecmc]

You can also take public transportation fairly cheaply and get to see Salisbury Cathedral and Old Sarum as well, which makes a nice day trip. Take the train to Salisbury from Victoria Station. A local bus or taxi will take you to Stonehenge, which is about 15-20 minutes away if I recall correctly. Its been about a dozen years. There is also a bus that departs from Victoria Station (or used to anyway) that takes you to Amesbury, which is a bit closer to Stonehenge, but it is a longer journey than the train. This may sound difficult to do, but it is honestly quite easy. They have generally made it easy to get to the main sights and hey, you speak the language!

However, I would probably do as others have suggested and make a day of it through a guided tour. There are several that pick you up at your hotel and will take you to Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Avebury, Old Sarum, etc. Check out www.stonehengetours.com or just Google "stonehenge tours". Some will take you up to Bath, which is lovely or let you do an overnight and see some of the Cotswolds. With a family, that would probably be easier on you.

Unlike others, I thought seeing Stonehenge was pretty cool. It is true that you can't walk up and touch anymore, but it is still impressive to me. I would not want to spend a whole day just to see it if my time was limited (I lived in London for a year, so had time to do plenty of other things). I would try to fit in a bit more. Old Sarum, just outside Salisbury is quite impressive, I thought.

[cruiselovinbunch]

I would say that if you like just a little bit of adventure (but not too much, given that you're fluent in the language!), taking public transportation could be a good option. For the most part, trains and buses run on time or at least very close to it and the price is reasonable compared to renting a car. There are several other sights near Stonehenge that are really interesting as well, and by taking a bus or train you can be fairly leisurely without the hassles of battling traffic, parking, etc. I think you get a bit more of a feel for the country as well by using public transport -- my favorite memories of my trips are the times I spent talking with the English people, discussing and learning about the similarities and differences in our two cultures. That said, there is definitely a relaxing quality to a guided tour, which my husband prefers to just about any other kind of travel. There is something to be said for leaving it to the experts.

If you go to some of the tourist websites like visitbritain.com, tripadvisor.com, viator.com or londontoolkit.com, you can do some homework and decide what's best for you and your family. There are so many beautiful, historic, amazing things to see in the UK that, whichever way you choose to get to them, you really can't go wrong.

Have a wonderful time, and be sure to post a trip report when you get back!

[crafty91]

I must concur with previous posters; Stonehenge is "ok" at best now the cathedrals and castles are NOT to be missed! Literally, some big rocks in a pasture but worth seeing if you see other sites on the same trip. I'd suggest the castles for a real trip to the past!

[tink,too]

TiggerTails & Cruise raise excellent points about hiring a car because they are the same reasons I choose to use trains/buses/taxis when I visit the USA!

I also think taking a tour would be the best option so that you could maximise your day by seeing other sites of interest.

[mr.b]

My wife and I visited England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. The most over-rated part of the trip was stonehenge. It could have fit in my backyard. I always thought that I would be totally blown away to see STONEHENGE!!! The postcard pictures were more impressive. It was fenced in due to the crazy people hanging around (it was just after one of the solstices, in June, I think.) If you go to see it, do a tour that takes you to Salisbury, and enjoy the area, especially a good pub lunch.

[DW2DH&DS]

Thank you everyone!!! We are leaning towards the guided tour anyway!!! I will reread these posts over and over until I find the perfect option!!!

More suggestions welcomed!!!!

[disneymum2201]

Originally Posted by jnadelman

If you are going to do this, I STRONGLY recommend doing is via a tour bus that actually includes something else and makes a full day out of it.
Not to bust your bubble, because it is something spectacular, but....You drive 2+ hours into the middle of NOWHERE, and you see a bunch of big rocks standing there that look exactly like every picture you have ever seen. It can be awe inspiring, or it can be a big let down. Keep in mind, you don't get to go very close to it either.

I agree with Jeff.
Many of the day trips also incorporate Bath, some Salisbury, some even the Cotswolds. Check it out. We have done day trips a number of times from London. Sometimes the stops are not for as long as you would like. One advantage of a bus is that you get to see over the hedgerows as you drive in rural areas and you dont have to navigate for yourself.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Living in the UK, in London have to tend to disagree a little here.

Stonehenge firstly is a great place to visit, and understandable that the OP would like to go there.

Your options are:-

• Hire car
• Train>bus or taxi.
• Bus from Victoria or Heathrow, and then local bus/taxi
• Coach trip.

In Spring when the Baltic cruises sail from the UK, Stone henge will open at 9.30am, thats the best time to go there.

Train is a good service taking about 90 mins and leaves every 60 mins to salisbury then local bus or taxi. You have the flexibility to go early, and leave when you want and avoid tour buses. But if you miss a train its a long wait.

Scheduled coach, is similar to above, again, a timetable service, and still need transfers.

Tour bus, take care, they often have considerable pick ups starting say 8am ish, they will take time to get to Stonehenge after these pick ups and arrive the same time as many other tour buses, mid to late morning, when its crowded, this spoils the ambiance of visiting Stonehenge, and feeling the past there.

Tour buses do have guides so that helps, but they speak to over 50 odd people on each coach. Its not tranquil. If it rains and you have booked in advance its a bad day!

Hire car actually is a reasonable price, total flexibility the easiest way to get there, you can get there early to avoid everyone else, then go for a pub lunch and a drive, the cost isn't too high, our cars are smaller than yours so accept that, but for a family of four compared against train or coach, then bus or taxi fares its far cheaper. If it rains you can change your plans!

Now we also are having lots of work on our trains at the moment lines are often closed all weekend.

Now a point, in central London do not drive, go on public transport there, that is very good, often a rolling metro service with a train every few minutes or within 15 mins at the worst.

Places to consider:_

• Tower of London
• London eye
• a river cruise
• Get a oyster travelcard and go top deck on our buses not tourist ones.
• Get the water bus tour, half on land then it goes on the Thames.

• Buckingham palace
• Madame tousards waxworks
• Shopping regent or oxford street.
• London theatre.
• Covent garden market
• Camden town market

Also get a train on the docklands light railway around docklands try to get front seat, they do not have drivers and go to Woolwich or Greenwich, also Stratford to see the development of the Oylimpic stadiums. Very cheap great day.

Out of town Brighton has so much to see. Needs a sunny day.