Stonehenge, Salisbury and Avebury

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Your drive out of London takes us through the London suburb of Chiswick.

2. Crossing over Chiswick bridge we pass through the town of Richmond Upon Thames. Fans of "Ted Lasso" the hit comedy/drama will recognise the town.

3. This is the home of International rugby, and the 82,000 seater stadium also hosts rock concerts and the NFL.

4. We drive through the Surrey heath, said to be the best in the world. This preserved piece of ancient landscape is home to rare flora and fauna. Fans of H.G. Welles will hear where the Martians landed in his classic novel, "The War of the Worlds".

5. We pass through Hampshire, home to Farnborough where the International Air show is held every other year. Nearby is the forest where the opening scene in the movie, "Gladiator" was filmed, the battle in the German forest.

6. It's market day today in the cathedral city of Salisbury, one that is 800 years old. Browse the market and sample the goods - you take some local produce home with you as there is a chiller box aboard the coach. This is a great place to buy lunch which you can take with you up to Stonehenge. Not tried a Cornish pasty yet? Now is your time. Nearby is the medieval Butter cross, Saint Thomas's church, with its impressive fifteenth century doom painting and "The Haunch of Venison" pub which holds a gruesome secret.

   50 min

7. A photo opportunity now at Salisbury cathedral and its splendid spire - the tallest one in England.

   10 min

8. Time to visit the cathedral. The splendid nave is said to be the best example of its type throughout the world. Inside the cathedral you'll also see the world's oldest working clock on display as well as a model of the cathedral during its construction stage. Arguably the greatest treasure of all is inside the Chapter house, where the Magna Carta is on display. This document first established the rule of law in this country and was later adopted by countries throughout the English speaking world. The Chapter house is also home to some early thirteenth century friezes depicting the vices and virtues as well as the story of the Bible from Creation through to Exodus. Look out for the fox nibbling grapes and the monkey scratching his leg.

   45 minAdmission included

9. Time for lunch now and we'll drive through a series of delightful thatched villages on the way. We pass under the flank of Old Sarum, an ancient fortress inhabited since neolithic time.

10. After lunch we continue your tour by the gin clear waters of the river Avon. This is a rare chalk river, one of only 160 or so throughout the world, rich in game such as trout and salmon. We'll see more thatched buildings and walls and some splendid examples of chequering: a motif popular in this part of the world. We will stop briefly to show where the Avenue started, a pre-historic ceremonial route taken by the people who built Stonehenge that leads directly into the heart of Stonehenge. En route we'll pass by a very famous singers house. Here's a clue, we hope you'll enjoy every breath you take of our tour. We cross over the river Avon past St. Melo's where a French queen is buried and past a feature which is thousands of years older than Stonehenge itself. We continue up to your next stop, Woodhenge.

11. We stop briefly to view Woodhenge. This is one of the earliest examples of aerial archaeology, the site only being discovered a hundred years ago. This proved to be a crucial discovery and one of the missing pieces of the Stonehenge complex. Nearby is Durrington walls, a huge enclosed area ,once the largest in the country and home to thousands of neolithic peoples.

    10 min

12. We drive through Larkhill, home to the Royal Artillery training corps. Look out for the red flags flying: there's live artillery practice going on!

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in London

• Its from-price is 85% above the median of the 555 day trips we list in London.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About London

London mixes royal ceremony, world-class museums and riverside landmarks with distinct neighbourhoods, markets and parks to explore on foot.

The Thames threads the city together. On its banks stand the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels, Tower Bridge and the long South Bank walk past the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern. St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey anchor the older skyline, while glass towers crowd the financial district.

Top-ranked sights in London: St. Paul's Cathedral, Stonehenge, Tower of London.

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