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Ultimate Guide To Visiting Stonehenge

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 6, 2024

Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the county of Wiltshire in England close to the cathedral city of Salisbury .

A trip to Stonehenge features high on many bucket lists for visitors to the UK (and with Brits themselves) and approximately 800,000 people choose to visit Stonehenge each year. 

Visiting Stonehenge from London takes approximately 2 1/2 hours making it an easy day trip from London by train. If you prefer a tour or are short on time you will find that Stonehenge is often combined with visits to other destinations such as Bath , Windsor and the Cotswolds.

If you prefer a private tour to Stonehenge we recommend My Tailored Tours which specialises in some of England’s top attractions, including Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor Castle, Salisbury and Glastonbury. Their Stonehenge experts will ensure you arrive at the stones before the large crowds so that you get the best possible experience for photos with your private tour guide.

Or if you like the idea of travelling to Stonehenge in the comfort of a London black cab we recommend Discover Real London which also offers a combined Stonehenge/Bath day tour.

To ensure you make the best of your visit you will find practical information, advice and tips in this article to help you plan your trip. This includes information about how to get to Stonehenge by car or train plus a curated list of the best day tour options to Stonehenge from London.

TICKET & TOUR OPTIONS – QUICK PICKS

What is stonehenge.

• ARRIVING AT STONEHENGE – THE VISITOR'S CENTRE

VISITING STONEHENGE – TRANSPORT TO THE STONES

Images of stonehenge, how to purchase tickets for stonehenge, common questions answered, other essential tips to know before you visit stonehenge, visiting stonehenge by car , visiting stonehenge by train from london, visiting stonehenge on a tour, enjoy your trip to stonehenge, book your trip 🇬🇧.

Stonehenge is the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe . The stones were raised 4500 years ago as an ancient temple by prehistoric people.

2018 was the hundredth anniversary of the gifting of Stonehenge to the nation by local barrister Cecil Chubb and his wife Mary. Before this date the stones had fallen into disrepair with some of them even propped up by wooden poles. Since 1918 the stones have been cared for and are now looked after by English Heritage for the benefit of the nation.

Whilst the stones which comprise Stonehenge were set up around 2500 BC the actual monument complex dates back between 8500 and 7000 years BC.

It is believed that most of England was covered in trees and woodland while the area around Stonehenge was an open landscape and this is a possible reason why the area was chosen.

ARRIVING AT STONEHENGE – THE VISITOR’S CENTRE

When you are visiting Stonehenge you will arrive at the visitor’s centre as your first port of call. The visitor’s centre is located 2.1 km (1.5 miles) from the Stone Circle, at Airman’s Corner.

The visitor’s centre at Stonehenge consists of an exhibition, a café and a gift shop as well as an outdoor gallery where the reconstructed Neolithic houses can be found.  The exhibition is very good we spent quite some time reading and learning more about Stonehenge and the surrounding area.

Outside the centre are reconstructed Neolithic houses. You can enter the houses and gain some insight into how people lived 4500 years ago.

There is also an example of the stones used to construct Stonehenge so you can get an idea of the sheer size. Can you imagine dragging this across the English countryside from Wales?

To get to the stones you need to hop onto one of the free shuttle buses which leave from the visitor’s centre. The bus ride takes approximately 10 minutes. Buses leave every few minutes so don’t worry if you miss one as there will be another leaving soon after.

Download the free audio guide from the app store before you arrive or pick up an audio guide at the visitor’s centre for a small fee.

The surrounding landscape is full of barrows – Bronze Age burial mounds. And standing at Stonehenge you really get a sense of how it looked during prehistoric times. During the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the heel stone and its rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge.

The stones used in Stonehenge comprise of larger sarsens and smaller bluestones. While the sarsens make up an inner horseshoes and and outer circle the bluestones are set up between them and form a double arc.

The larger sarsen stones are made from hard silicified sandstone whilst the smaller bluestones are made from various types of rock all found in the Preseli Hills in south-west Wales.

The large upright stone which can be seen standing at the side of the Stone Circle is called the heel stone. Its significance becomes apparent during the summer solstice where it marks the position of the rising sun.

PRACTICAL THINGS TO KNOW FOR YOUR STONEHENGE VISIT

I highly recommend that you plan your visit and book your tickets in advance.

Stonehenge is a major tourist attraction and is always busy whenever you visit even in winter. The stones are particularly busy during the summer solstice on June 20/21st and the winter solstice in December. At these times the stones are only open on a managed access basis. The alignment of the stones on the longest and shortest days attracts thousands of visitors and it is the only time you can go into the stone circle itself.

Entrance to Stonehenge is managed through timed tickets. If you want to guarantee entry on the day and time of your choice then you will have to pre-book tickets or book a tour.

Skip-the-queue tickets can be purchased through Get Your Guide (my tour operator of choice) and are highly recommended if you want to avoid crowds and queues.

Entry is free to members of English Heritage and members of the National Trust in England or those who hold a National Trust Touring Pass only though you still need to book your time slot.

If you are visiting from overseas and want to visit Stonehenge independently and are intending to visit more English Heritage owned properties I would recommend buying an English Heritage Attractions Pass .

This pass is only available to visitors from overseas. The pass entitles holders to free entry to over 100 English Heritage sites including Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Hadrian’s Wall and Tintagel Castle. 

When is the best time to visit Stonehenge?

I would recommend avoiding the solstices when Stonehenge is very busy. The summer months can also be a little challenging as those are peak holiday times for UK residents too (school holidays in England start mid July until the first week of September) Winter is darker, colder and quieter and you will need to wrap up warmly when you visit. 

When is the best time of day to visit Stonehenge?

I would recommend as early in the day as possible as the roads around Stonehenge can become gridlocked, particularly during the busy summer months. In winter it is dark around 4 pm so it is best to see the stones in the morning if you can.

Stonehenge visiting hours are 9:30 – 3:00 during the winter months and 9:30 – 5:00 over the spring/summer/autumn months. The last entry is 2 hours before closing time (so if you book a ticket for 3 pm in the winter Stonehenge closes at 5 pm)

How close can you get to the stones?

People often ask how close can you get to Stonehenge or if you can walk up to Stonehenge. The only time visitors are allowed in the circle is during the summer and winter solstice celebrations.

At all times visitors can walk around the stone circle. If you would rather walk up to Stonehenge from the visitor’s centre it is about a 40-minute walk.

Wiltshire County Council also has a  guide to travelling to Stonehenge which includes walking and cycling routes.

I would recommend checking out the weather forecast the day before your visit so you can dress appropriately.  Stonehenge is open air so wrap up warmly in winter and bring an umbrella if rain is on the horizon. If you are unsure of what to pack for your trip to the UK and Stonehenge you may like to read my packing list for the UK . 

Please note that dogs are not allowed in the Stone Circle Monument Field or on the shuttle bus (unless they are assistance dogs)

After viewing the stones catch the bus back to the visitor’s centre. If you are keen to purchase souvenirs of your visit you can find lots of Stonehenge gifts and merchandise in the Stonehenge gift shop in the centre.

HOW TO VISIT STONEHENGE FROM LONDON – BY CAR, TRAIN OR TOUR

There are several options available if you plan to visit Stonehenge from London .

Stonehenge is 145 km from London via the M3/A303 and A360. Come off the A360 at Airman’s Corner. 

If you are visiting during the summer allow plenty of time as the roads can become very busy around Stonehenge.

If you are visiting Stonehenge by car you will find parking is free for English Heritage members and Stonehenge ticket holders.

Use the postcode (zip code) SP4 7DE in your SATNAV/GPS.

Latitude: 51.1831565223

Longtitude : -1.85887471623

The nearest train station to Stonehenge is Salisbury which is located 9 1.2 miles away. There is a tour bus which departs from the train station and connects with Stonehenge.

Click here for train prices and times to Salisbury.

If you are not planning to visit Stonehenge by car or take a day trip from London by train  I would recommend considering a tour. 

I have selected some of the best tours to Stonehenge for you including multi-centre tours.

There are many things to do between London and Stonehenge so I recommend adding other popular destinations such as Bath, the Cotswolds and Oxford into your trip.

London: Stonehenge Half-Day Morning or Afternoon Tour

This 6-hour tour from London includes transport, expert commentary with an audio guide and a scenic drive through Salisbury Plain. You will have 2 hours of free time to explore Stonehenge.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE HALF-DAY TOUR TO STONEHENGE FROM LONDON

London: Stonehenge and Bath Full-Day Tour

Visit the iconic site of Stonehenge and uncover its mysteries with the aid of an informative audio guide tour and enjoy free time to explore the lovely city of Bath at your own leisure on this full-day tour departing from London. 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR STONEHENGE AND BATH FULL-DAY TOUR

Windsor, Oxford and Stonehenge Day Tour from London

What better way to see the English countryside than with a day trip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London? Discover the famous Roman Baths in Bath, look out for the Queen in Windsor, and see the world’s most famous stone circle.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY TO WINDSOR, OXFORD AND STONEHENGE

Stonehenge, Stratford, Bath & Cotswolds Day Tour from London

Explore the region beyond London with a full-day excursion to sites of cultural and historical significance. Visit Stonehenge, see Shakespeare’s home at Stratford-upon-Avon, explore the gorgeous city of Bath and admire the picturesque Cotswolds hills.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE STONEHENGE, STRATFORD, BATH & COTSWOLDS DAY TOUR

To learn more about Stonehenge before your visit, look at the Stonehenge Skyscape website. It was created to let viewers see the skies above Stonehenge and learn how the stones aligned with the sun, moon and planets. It is an excellent website and you can see the stones in real time (day or night) 

Enjoy your visit to Stonehenge whether you travel there independently or take a tour it is worth including in your UK travel itinerary. 

🏨 Book your accommodation – Booking.com – VRBO – Plum Guide

🚐 Book your group tour – Viator

🚐 Book your group tour – Get Your Guide

🚘 Car Hire – Discover Cars

🚖 London Airport Transfers (& beyond) – Riz from XFA Cars

📸 London photographer – Scalens Studio

💂 London – Discover Real London Black Cab Tours

💂 London Small Group Tours – Walks

🏡 Cotswolds – Cotswold Teacup Tours

🏰 Day trips from London – My Tailored Tours

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh – Edinburgh Black Cab Tours

🏞 Yorkshire – Expedition Yorkshire Tours

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Far North Scotland – North Coast Explorer Tours

🏰 Northumberland – Northumberland Tours

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales – Boutique Tours of Wales

🌊 Cornwall – Meneage Tours

WELCOME TO STONEHENGE TOURS

Stonehenge is one of the ancient wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Experience Stonehenge, the most sophisticated stone circle in the world. Explore the world's most famous Neolithic monument on one of our fantastic tours to Stonehenge from central London, Bath, Salisbury or Southampton. Walk inside the famous Stone Circle on a special access inner circle tour and uncover the mystery behind Stonehenge with one of our expert tour guides. We are the only British tour company to focus exclusively on Stonehenge and voted 'Best Stonehenge Tour Specialist' 2021 / 2022.   We live, breathe and sleep Stonehenge. Visiting Stonehenge once?  Do it properly!

MORE THAN 100 EXPERIENCES TO CHOOSE FROM COUNTLESS WAYS TO WOW YOU

Departing from Bournemouth Pavilion at 9am, you will board the luxury air-conditioned coach for a trip to the magical and mysterious Stonehenge, followed by the 9-mile journey for a visit to Salisbury where you can opt to enter the Cathedral or have free time in the medieval cathedral city in the southern English county of Wiltshire.

Bespoke guided tours of Stonehenge inner circle. Perfect for individuals, families and small groups. We offer private customised guided tours departing from London, Bath, Salisbury and Southampton. Create memories that will last a lifetime and enjoy an experience to remember.

What better way to see the highlights of London than from onboard a vintage open top double Decker bus? Your tour includes a live guide to bring the history of London to life, escort you on your scenic cruise on the River Thames and take you to the perfect spot to watch the Changing of the Guard. Then, in the afternoon, we join an independent coach tour to Stonehenge that includes a fast track ticket

This small group tour of 17 guests or less gives you the chance to have a more personable experience when visiting two of the UK’s top locations – Stonehenge and Bath. Led by an expert guide, you’ll get to ask as many questions as you like as you learn and discover more about British culture and history. Departs every Tuesday throughout 2021

Have a personable experience to 3 of the UK’s top locations: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the City of Bath. With a maximum of 17 guests on your tour, you’ll get to ask your guide as many questions as you like whilst enjoying the time to wander around these world-famous locations.. Departs every Saturday throughout 2021

Visit Highclere Castle where the award winning TV series was filmed. A Highclere Castle guided tour is now a very popular and fascinating experience for fans of history and of the Downton Abbey TV series and film. 2024 dates now published.

Visit the mystical Stonehenge. (Multilingual audio guide available). See London’s most famous landmarks and locations with a Hop-on hop-off ticket valid for one calendar day. Combo Package Saves You 15%!

This feature-packed archaeological tour takes in the iconic stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury and a delightful break in the beautiful cathedral city of Bath. We also have a Stonehenge, Avebury and Salisbury Cathedral option.

We savour the atmosphere and Golden beauty of Bath, famous for its Roman history and elegant Georgian architecture. We spend over 3 hours in this World Heritage city including a comprehensive guided tour to the Roman Baths and Pump rooms. Afterwards we take a scenic drive throurh the leafy lanes of the Cotswolds visiting Jane Austen's Lacock and then Stonehenge Stone Circle.

What better way to experience the magic and mystery of Stonehenge than with a private viewing at sunset. On our exclusive private guided tours from Salisbury, guests will be able to access the historic stone circle, and explore the surrounding area rich in history, myths and legends

Exclusive: Voted Best Value Small Group Tours - Our best selling Stonehenge and Bath tour just got better. We now include Salisbury Cathedral and a champagne reception at the new fabulous visitor centre and an expert talk about the ancient landscape and recent theories.

Board our luxury coach for a direct Express service to Stonehenge. On arrival our driver will take you onto the site, where you can enjoy the stones at your leisure with a fascinating audio-guide tour, in the language of your choice. Languages on the Audio Guide: English, Italian, Swedish, Russian, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French, Dutch

Stone Circle Access tours, give you a unique opportunity to experience up close this world famous monument. But with so many choices and such limited availability it can be difficult to find the right tour, at the right price on the right date, until now.

Great value day out that allows you more time at Stonehenge and Bath. Arrive in beautiful Georgian Bath with plenty of time to shop and explore the Roman Baths, the Abbey, Jane Austen centre and more...

Visit mysterious Stonehenge - Entry to Salisbury Cathedral and see the famous Magna Carta Free Walking Tour - Special bonus Choose to embark upon one of many enthralling walking tours – for absolutely FREE

Bards and Battles. A full day in the English Cotswolds visiting Bath, a world heritage site and beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture.Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language and Stonehenge all in one day tour from London.

The Winter Solstice is the most important day of the year at Stonehenge and a truly magical time to be there. It's an ad hoc celebration that brings together England's New Age Tribes (neo-druids, neo-pagans, Wiccans) with ordinary families, tourists, travellers and party people - 2 Hours inside the inner circle of Stonehenge at sunrise

Just wanted to tell you what a fantastic tour we had! Thanks for your help! Our tour guide Kevan was the best! We could not have planned a better day.

I just wanted to let you know that my family had our private Stonehenge tour with Kieffe today. He was absolutely the best tour guide we have ever had. He was very personable and extremely knowledgeable. We so enjoyed today. Thank you!

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The 8 best stonehenge tours from london.

Stonehenge tours from London are a popular and easy day trip.

The Best Stonehenge Tours

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Stonehenge poses more questions than answers, making it one of the most mysterious prehistoric monuments in the world. And because of its proximity to London, the famous landmark makes for a popular day trip from the city . Organized Stonehenge tours from London typically include round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned coach, as well as visits to other nearby landmarks, such as the Avebury stone circles, Bath or the Cotswolds.

These tours from London, evaluated by U.S. News using both expert opinion and traveler sentiment, offer some of the best ways to experience Stonehenge.

The English Bus – Stonehenge, Bath & A Secret Place

Price: From 134 pounds (around $170) per person Duration: 12 hours

For adventurous travelers who want to see Stonehenge and Bath, and don't mind a little mystery, The English Bus's full-day tour offers both. Limited to 16 people, the tour departs from London in a Mercedes minibus, complete with panoramic windows and a glass roof. As you drive through the countryside, you'll enjoy live, in-depth commentary from your expert guide before arriving in Stonehenge. After exploring Stonehenge, you'll head to Bath to enjoy lunch and time to roam on your own or join an optional guided tour. Your final stop is a "secret" destination selected by your tour guide. Reviewers praise the knowledgeable, humorous guides and particularly recommend this tour for its small size and luxurious transportation.

Tours depart from central London daily. Ticket pricing does not include food or Stonehenge tickets. You can buy entry tickets to Stonehenge on-site for about 20 to 25 pounds (around $25 to $31) depending on the time of the year when visiting or online in advance for a slight discount. Other tours offered by The English Bus visit the Cotswolds, Canterbury and more.

Check prices & availability:

Premium Tours – Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock, Bath and 14th Century Pub Lunch

Price: Adults from 149 pounds (about $189); kids from 139 pounds (about $175) Duration: 13 hours

You'll be among the first visitors of the day to step inside Windsor Castle – the largest continuously occupied castle in the world – on this daylong tour. Other highlights include lunch in a 14th-century pub in the charming town of Lacock, a walking tour of Bath and, finally, the day is capped with a visit to Stonehenge. Though most tourgoers were happy with the trip (especially the patient, organized guides), they do warn it makes for a long day and wish they had extra time at certain attractions. The tour (which runs daily) leaves London at 7:45 a.m. (from Victoria Coach Station) and returns around 9 p.m.

Lunch and admission tickets to attractions are included. Ticket options that do not include entry or lunch are also available for a lower price. Premium Tours also offers excursions to Leeds, Canterbury and Greenwich, among other locations.

Check prices & availability:  

Evan Evans Tours – Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

Price: Adults from 142 pounds (about $180); kids from 132 pounds (around $167) Duration: 11 hours

In addition to Stonehenge, this 11-hour bus tour stops at Windsor Castle and the historic city of Bath, where you'll be given the choice to explore freely on your own or visit the world-famous Roman Baths. Reviewers praise the guides, who they describe as humorous and fun, and say the tour is jampacked, but well-paced.

Tickets do not include Stonehenge entry and are available for a lower price. Evan Evans Tours operates a variety of trips outside of London to destinations like Oxford and the Cotswolds, in addition to tours within the city.

Golden Tours – Stonehenge and Bath Tour

Price: Adults from $183; kids from $170 Duration: 10.5 hours

Ideal for tourists with a dual interest in the city of Bath and Stonehenge, this approximately 11-hour tour offers access and expert insight into both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While in Bath, you'll take a guided walking tour of the city and visit its ancient Roman Baths and Pump Room. The second stop is Stonehenge, where you'll have time to explore the mysteries of this ancient Neolithic structure. Travelers rave about the excellent and informative guides, as well as the drivers.

Ticket options do not include entry to Stonehenge or the Roman Baths are also available for a lower price. Tours depart from London daily at 8:30 a.m. The company offers a variety of tours to destinations in and around London.

Anderson Tours – Avebury and Stonehenge Small Group Tour From London

Price: Adults from 109 pounds (about $139); kids from 99 pounds (about $125) Duration: 12 hours

The full-day Avebury and Stonehenge excursion with Anderson Tours picks up in London starting at 7:30 a.m. and makes its first stop at West Kennet Long Barrow – one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain. Here, participants have the chance to visit the burial chambers. From there, the group visits the medieval village of Avebury, home to the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world. After a guided walking tour of Avebury and free time for lunch and exploration, guides lead the way to Stonehenge, where tourgoers can explore the site at their leisure with the aid of audio guides (accessible via a free smartphone app). The group returns to London around 7 p.m. Visitors say the guides are excellent and they learned a lot.

Tours run Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Anderson Tours also offers excursions to Oxford, Windsor and Canterbury, among other day trips.

International Friends – Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor

Price: Adults from 164 pounds (about $207); kids from 144 pounds (around $182) Duration: 11 hours

Travelers approve of this tour for its small group (up to 16 participants) and knowledgeable guides, who are well-versed in British history. On this approximately 11-hour journey, you'll visit Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the city of Bath, where you'll have the choice to tour the Roman Baths or wander the ancient city for some sightseeing.

Tours depart daily; exact departure times from London vary by season. International Friends also offers "Harry Potter" tours and excursions to "Downton Abbey" filming locations, among other areas of the English countryside.

British Tours – Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford

Price: From 1,310 pounds (about $1,655) for up to six participants Duration: 12 hours

Visit some of England's most famous landmarks with this private daytrip. Among the sites you'll see with your personal tour guide are Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the University of Oxford. Travelers enjoy the tour and appreciate the guides' sense of humor and wealth of information. Plus, they appreciate that guides pick up patrons from central London hotels .

Prices range from 1,310 to 2,090 pounds (about $1,655 to $2,641). Prices do not include entrance fees or meals. British Tours offers a variety of other excursions from London, including day trips to explore Paris .

Premium Tours – Stonehenge Private Viewing, Lacock and Bath

Price: Adults from 143 pounds (about $181); kids from 133 pounds (approximately $168) Duration: 11 hours

If you want to experience Stonehenge without the crowds, consider this approximately 11-hour tour, which visits Stonehenge when it's closed to the general public. What's more, you'll tour the site's stone circle – an area most visitors only view behind a rope barrier. The day also includes a meal at a 14th-century pub in Lacock, as well as a stop in Bath. In Bath, you can join an optional walking tour to see highlights like the Jane Austen Museum, Pulteney Bridge and the Bath Abbey. Many reviewers call this tour the highlight of their London trips and highly recommend the evening tour if you'd like to see Stonehenge at sunset.

Travelers should note, there is also an option to buy a ticket that includes entry to the Roman Baths. Morning tours (available Mondays and Thursdays) depart at 5:30 a.m.; evening tours (which run Sundays and Wednesdays) depart at 11:10 a.m.

Stonehenge Tours from Bath

If you'll be staying in Bath during your visit to England and want to see Stonehenge, consider one of the following tours:

Mad Max Tours – Stonehenge, Cotswold Villages and Avebury Stone Circles

Price: Adults from 70 pounds (about $88); kids from 35 pounds (around $44) Duration: 9 hours

On this eight- to nine-hour tour, you'll board a bus from Bath to visit historic sites and towns around the English countryside. You'll stop at Stonehenge first ahead of the crowds for a two-hour visit. From there, the next destination is the Avebury stone circles and village. Then, it's off to the Cotswolds to explore a handful of small, charming towns; Lacock National Trust village is the designated stop for lunch. Patrons give the tour high marks and especially praise the visit to the Cotswolds villages. Others say the tour is well-paced. Tours depart daily from Bath beginning at 8:25 a.m.

This tour is not recommended for kids younger than 5. Tickets to Stonehenge are not included in the tour price; you will need to pay your guide for the tickets on the day of your tour. Mad Max operates several other outings, including a tour devoted solely to visiting the villages of the Cotswolds.

Bath Insider Tours – Ancient Britain Tour

Price: From 505 pounds (about $640) for two people Duration: 8.5 hours

On this daylong excursion, you'll join a local expert for an exclusive private tour (for up to six people in your party) that departs from Bath. Your guide – a lifelong Bath resident – takes you on an approximately 8.5-hour journey to explore sites near Bath, including Avebury, the West Kennet Long Barrow burial site and Stonehenge. The tour includes a stop at a traditional English pub for lunch. Patrons heap praise on the guide for his knowledge and good nature.

Tours depart daily at 9 a.m., but exact availability will vary. Pickup from central Bath, its hotels and its train station is included, as are admission tickets to sites. Lunch and drinks are not included in the cost. Additionally, keep in mind the cost per person will vary depending on the number of people in your party. Bath Insider Tours also offers private tours of Bath and other custom tours, including half-day excursions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can visit Stonehenge without a tour. It is accessible to visitors year-round.

However, there are a few benefits to choosing an organized Stonehenge tour, including the commentary and knowledge tour guides are able to provide and the ease of a tour provider's transportation. Tour companies will typically pick you up in central London (usually multiple pickup points are available) and Bath and take you directly to the historical site; then provide return transportation back to the city at the conclusion of the tour.

Stonehenge is located in Salisbury, England, about 90 miles southwest of London. The train ride from the London Waterloo station to Salisbury takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. After that, you can hop on a bus from the train station to Stonehenge, which takes about 30 minutes.

You might also be interested in:

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The Best Stonehenge Tours To Take in 2024 and Why

Brie Greenhalgh Last Updated: October 24, 2023

Whether it’s your first or third time to London, if you haven’t made the trek out to Stonehenge, it’s time to fix that. Booking one of the best Stonehenge tours is the perfect way to see these fascinating rocks up close without having to worry about how to get there. Plus, tours of Stonehenge from London usually include other cool stops along the way, like Windsor Castle or the Salisbury Cathedral. Find out which tour is right for you!

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our  top Stonhenge tours  for a memorable trip, and  how to visit Stonehenge .

Should You Take a Tour to Stonehenge?

Short answer: Absolutely. Even if only to eliminate the hassle of arranging your own tickets and transportation to this incredible place outside of London.

Stonehenge sits about 90 miles west of London, so you’ll need a plan to get there. Most people opt for a guided tour since they won’t have to worry about driving, navigating, or obtaining their own tickets. We definitely recommend doing the same, but with a small group so you have more opportunities to get to know your guide and fellow travelers.

You’ll learn much more about Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath, Avebury, West Kennet, Salisbury Cathedral, and much more if you book a day trip with a local guide. And depending on your preference, you could even book an early morning or evening entrance at Stonehenge when the general public has left. These are unique opportunities to see the Inner Circle of Stonehenge that you won’t forget!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Stonehenge Guide for more resources.

Three of the Best Stonehenge Tours

The origins and construction of the rocks at Stonehenge are technically unknown, but there are plenty of theories and legends. Aliens, giants, Druids. Your driver-guide will share all of these as you ride along the English countryside. All of these tours include stops at Stonehenge, so you’ll just need to decide what time of day you want to visit and what other sites interest you the most.

You can opt for a self-guided tour (tickets included) at Windsor Castle or time at Avebury to see the ancient manmade mound that’s the size of an Egyptian pyramid. Or perhaps you’d love to see an original copy of the Magna Carta that shaped the future for the rights of all mankind. Check out the best Stonehenge tours below and choose what’s best for you!

• Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath Day Trip from London
• Early Access Stonehenge Morning Tour from London with Inner Circle
• After Hours Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour from London

1. Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath Day Trip from London

Windsor Castle

Your first stop out of London is Windsor Castle—the late Queen’s favorite residence. There are 13,000 acres here, and you’ll have tickets to enter the castle to explore the areas open to the public. This is a self-guided tour as no tour guides are allowed inside. Not to worry! Your driver-guide will have prepped you with plenty of information about what you’ll see here and why it’s such a beloved castle for the royal family.

Then you’ll head to Stonehenge where you’ll get to walk the road leading to these famous ancient ruins. Dating back some 4,000 years, these rocks have an intriguing history that is still yet to be determined. Why and how these structures were built remains a mystery, not to mention by whom. Yes, it’s just a bunch of rocks, but they’re 20-ton rocks on average, positioned perfectly in a strange circle for some purpose. It’s worth seeing in person!

While the baths at Bath were used by the ancient Celts, they weren’t beautified and built up until the Romans arrived. They are how the city came to be named, and it’s worth planning ahead to get tickets to see them. This tour offers free time in this city so you can explore whatever interests you most whether it’s the Roman baths or the Jane Austen Museum.

Highlights:

• Round-trip transportation from London
• Entry to Windsor Castle
• Entry to Stonehenge during the day
• Free time in Bath (explore or pre-book an activity)

2. Early Access Stonehenge Morning Tour from London with Inner Circle

Early-Access Stonehenge

This tour leaves London super early so you can arrive at Stonehenge for an exclusive, early-access entry before it opens to the general public. This means you’ll visit the Inner Circle of Stonehenge around sunrise as your guide shares all we know and suspect about Stonehenge. The morning light and solitude make this an extra special experience for any early bird looking for a day trip to Stonehenge.

Salisbury Cathedral

A stop at Salisbury is up next. This historic town lays claim to two impressive things for native Britons: a cathedral with the tallest spire in England and an original copy of the Magna Carta. This document laid the foundation for human rights around the world. You’ll have time to eat lunch here and explore a little of this ancient town before heading back to London in the afternoon.

• Exclusive, early-access to Stonehenge
• Guided tour of Inner Circle (not available to general public)
• Visit to Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

3. After Hours Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour from London

Silbury Hill and West Kennet

Depart London in the mid-morning and head to Silbury Hill to see another mysterious piece of Britain’s past. A Neolithic man-made mound that’s roughly the size of an Egyptian pyramid and about 4,000 years old! And at West Kennet Long Barrow, you’ll see ancient burial grounds that date back even further about 5,000 years. That’s old!

You might not know that Avebury also has some monolithic rocks that resemble Stonehenge on a smaller scale. They’re another great stop that add to your overall “ancient ruins of Britain” experience on this Stonehenge tour from London. Plus, you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch in Avebury and explore this charming little town before moving on.

Stonehenge Inner Circle

Your last stop is what you’ve been waiting for: an after-hours entrance to Stonehenge. What you might not know is that the Inner Circle is closed to the public during the day, so you can only receive guided access here before or after the regular opening hours. That makes this sunset Stonehenge tour even more special and memorable. You’ll be mesmerized by the dwindling light in the late hours of the day as you explore Stonehenge without the crowds.

• Visit to Silbury Hill man-made mound
• Visit to burial grounds in West Kennet Long Barrow
• Explore Avebury and the monoliths
• Exclusive, after-hours access to Stonehenge
• Guided tour of the Inner Circle

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

About Brie Greenhalgh

Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.

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• Stonehenge Visitor Guide + Inner Circle Tour Review

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2023

Let’s travel to Stonehenge. This famous stone circle is located in the Salisbury Plain about three hours from London. It’s close enough to visit in a day, and we’re going to show you exactly how.

We chose to take a Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour, which is the only way to go inside the stone circle. We’ll explain exactly what that is and fully review our experience, too.

Let’s get started!

In this Post

Here’s what we’re covering in this post. We invite you to read the full guide or jump ahead to the section you’re most interested in.

What is Stonehenge

How to get to stonehenge from london, stonehenge ticket options.

• Plan your Visit

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour Review

Stonehenge is one of many ancient stone circles around northwestern Europe. It is not the largest or oldest of these stone circles (nearby Avebury claims both of those titles), but Stonehenge is the most architecturally impressive.

Stonehenge is made up of an outer ring of tall sarsen stones, topped by horizontal lintel stones and an inside ring of smaller bluestones. Inside the rings is an alter made of two sarsen stones and a connecting lintel stone.

Some of these stones are believed to have been transported hundreds of miles from Wales. How exactly the stones were moved and placed remains a mystery to this day.

No one really knows exactly what Stonehenge was used for, though most theories suggest that it was used for astrological or religious purposes.

The stones align with sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice, suggesting the stones may have been used as a calendar that tracked the solar year. Evidence found at the site suggests people most likely gathered at the site during winter solstice specifically.

Human remains found at the site also suggest it may have been burial ground. The condition of the bones and their origins suggest that Stonehenge was more a place of healing, and not a site of war or fighting.

Construction on Stonehenge began around 3000 BC and took about 1000 years and four different stages. The final notable change to Stonehenge was in roughly 1600 BC. Over thousands of years, the monument slipped into ruin with some rocks shifting, falling and aging.

Stonehenge Today

Today, Stonehenge is owned by the Crown, maintained by the National Trust and protected as English Heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The area around Stonehenge has been developed into a modern tourist attraction. The site has been constructed in a way that allows tourists to conveniently visit the stone circle without damaging the stones or the surrounding land.

The Stonehenge Visitor Centre and parking lot is located about 1.5 miles from the stone circle itself. Here you’ll find the ticket office, bathrooms, restaurant, gift shop and museum exhibit. There’s also an outdoor area with reconstructed neolithic houses.

There is a shuttle bus that runs between the visitor center and the stones every few minutes. This shuttle is included in the ticket price. There’s also a walking path between the visitor center and the stones. The path is just over a mile and the walk takes about 20 minutes.

Both the shuttle bus and walking path will lead you to a paved walkway that encircles Stonehenge. Guests must stay on the pathway and observe Stonehenge from a short distance away. This is to protect the stones and surrounding land from the 800,000 guests who visit Stonehenge each year.

The only way to cross the ropes and enter the stone circle at Stonehenge is to take an inner circle tour. We cover more on that later in this post .

Stonehenge is located in the Salisbury Plain in southern England about 85 miles from London. There are three main ways to get from London to Stonehenge. Depending on your mode of transit, it can take 2.5 to 3 hours to make the journey.

Option 1: Tour to Stonehenge

The easiest and often cheapest way to get from London to Stonehenge is to take a tour that includes transportation. Some tours will pick you up at your accommodation and others will start from a central meeting point. Most tours will include stops at one or more additional attractions in the area, like Windsor or Bath.

There are several tour providers, but we suggest booking through Get Your Guide. They have a great selection of tour options to Stonehenge with transportation from London. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund if your plans change.

Option 2: Public Transportation to Stonehenge

You can also take public transportation from London to Stonehenge. There is not a train station at Stonehenge,  so you have to take the train and a bus.

Take the South Western Railway from London Victoria station to Salisbury. Then, there are a few different bus options that go from Salisbury to Stonehenge, including Salisbury Reds and The Stonehenge Tour . Buses typically run every hour and take about 30 minutes.

Taking the train and bus from London to Stonehenge will take about 2.5-3 hours. Depending on how your timing works out, this can be the fastest option because you skip London traffic. However, public transit to Stonehenge is expensive.

Train tickets run between £28 – £47 per person, each way. Bus fare is an additional £17 per person. That means it can cost £73 or more per person round trip. That’s more expensive than some tours which include transportation.

Option 3: Car to Stonehenge

You can also reach Stonehenge by car. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive to Stonehenge from London, but that can vary based on traffic.

Driving might be the best option for London locals, but travelers arriving to the UK by air may not find this as convenient. Central London traffic can be brutal — BRUTAL. They also drive on the opposite side of the road in England compared to many other countries. This can be stressful at best and dangerous at worst.

Unless you already have a car or are very comfortable driving in the UK, we don’t recommend driving to Stonehenge.

Visitors to Stonehenge will have the chance to see this famous stone circle up close — just maybe not as close as you think.

During regular operating hours, guests must remain on a roped-off path that encircles the ancient monument. At its closest, the path is about 50 feet from the actual stones, but it is further away on different sides.

The only way to get up close to Stonehenge is to splurge on an inner circle tour. During this exclusive experience, you can actually enter the stone circle itself. No guests are ever allowed to touch or climb the stones.

Let’s break down the these two very different ticket options.

General Admission at Stonehenge

The only ticket option during regular operating hours at Stonehenge is general admission. Tickets to Stonehenge include access to the indoor and outdoor museum exhibits, visitor center amenities, free shuttle service to the stones and access to the walking path around the stone circle.

During standard operating hours, all guests must remain on this paved sidewalk. There is 24-hour security on site making sure that no one crosses the roped-off boundary into the area immediately around stones. This is to protect the stones and surrounding land.

You can purchase Stonehenge General Admission tickets online in advance (up to 9 AM on the day of your visit) or on-site at the ticket office at the visitor center.

Tickets purchased online are slightly cheaper and also guarantee entry in the instance that tickets sell out. In most cases, you don’t need to purchase tickets more than 24 hours in advance. Even during peak travel season, selection for the following day is usually pretty good.

Adult General Admission tickets to Stonehenge purchased online cost £23.60 during peak days, £21.80 during standard days and £20 during off-peak days. You can check peak dates on the calendar here .

If you purchase your tickets at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre, adult tickets cost £24.20 everyday. Discounts are available for students, children and families. There’s also the option to purchase a more expensive ticket which includes a voluntary donation.

Each ticket is for a specific time. Guests must arrive within 30 minutes of that time, but can stay as long as they like. The last ticket time is for 2 hours prior to closing time.

Inner Circle Tour

Guests who want to see Stonehenge as close as possible and walk through the stone circle will need to splurge on a special tour. There are a few different names for this special experience, but most are called “Inner Circle Tours.”

An inner circle tour of Stonehenge means you will quite literally get to enter the inner circle of the stones. These tours allow a small number of guests to cross the rope barrier, walk right up to stones and get all the photos #forthegram.

Inner circle tours at Stonehenge only take place in the early morning before the site opens to public and in the evening after the site closes. These tours are extremely limited and only offered on select days. Tickets for these tours can be hard to come by and tend to book up early in advance.

How to Book a Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour

You can book an inner circle tour of Stonehenge two ways. The first option is to book the Stonehenge Stone Circle Experience directly through the English Heritage site. This option is the cheapest (Adult £48, Child £29), but it does not include transportation from London.

If you need transportation to Stonehenge from London, your best bet is to join a private tour. There are a few different tour providers that offer these tours, and they typically include additional stops at other nearby attractions. We booked the Stonehenge Inner Circle and Windsor Day Trip through Get Your Guide, which we review in full later in this post .

If you’re booking a private tour, be sure to verify that the tour includes “inner circle” access in the description. A true inner circle tour will be very early in the morning or run late in the evening. There are many Stonehenge tours that don’t include inner circle access, so be sure you’re booking the right one.

The private tour option is more expensive. This is because it includes more stops, a private guide sharing information the whole way and transportation. Our tour cost $160 per person, which we know is not cheap.

Plan Your Visit

There are a few things you should know in advance as you start to add Stonehenge to your London travel plans. Consider the timing of your visit and how long you want to stay in the area, among other things. If you’re taking a tour, you should review some of the nearby attractions and select the tour itinerary that is best for your group.

Here are a few items to keep in mind.

Best Time to Visit Stonehenge

More than once during our June visit to Stonehenge, our tour guide told us that the best time to visit Stonehenge was in the winter. He said there are always fewer people on the tour, the site is much less crowded during the day and the ancient people who built Stonehenge were actually there in the wintertime.

While this is all certainly true, the fact of the matter is that England is freaking cold in the winter. I’ve never been to London later than October, but even then I was bundled up in a North Face jacket or drinking tea from inside a cozy hotel.

If you’re not interested in standing in an open field in the middle of winter, may I suggest shoulder season? Plan your Stonehenge visit in the Spring (April/May) or fall (September/October) to benefit from off-peak pricing, lower crowds and moderate temperatures.

If you’re visiting during peak summer months, there are still ways to beat the crowds. Try to plan a visit on a weekday and schedule your visit for early in the morning (right at open) or late in the afternoon (the last admission is 2 hours before close).

When is Stonehenge Open

Stonehenge is open almost every day of the year. The site closes on Christmas day (December 25) and has adjusted/limited hours during the semi-annual solstice (June 20-21 and December 21-22).

Opening hours vary by season. Stonehenge opens daily at 9:30 AM.  From late May to early September, the site is open till 7 PM. It closes at 5 PM the rest of the year.

How Long Does it Take to Visit Stonehenge

We suggest spending about 3 hours at Stonehenge.

Plan for 30 minutes each way to get between the visitor center and the stones. You can take the walking path, which is just over a mile and takes 20-25 minutes to walk. Or you can take the shuttle bus that runs continually throughout the day. It’s a short drive, but you’ll want to account for the queue and load times.

Then plan to spend about an hour at the stones themselves and another hour at the visitor center. The visitor center has a small, nice indoor museum exhibit and some outdoor replicas of neolithic houses. There’s also a food court and gift shop, which you’ll likely want to stop at.

This estimate does not include transit time. Depending on how you get to Stonehenge, this will likely be another 3 hours or so each way.

Where to Stay Near Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a popular day trip from London. There is no need to tack on added nights near Stonehenge if you are already planning to stay in central London.

However, if you do choose to stay overnight near Stonehenge, there are a couple good options.

The best place to stay near Stonehenge is in the nearby town of Salisbury. It is a small town, but has a few reasonably priced hotels. You might consider The Merchant’s House,  Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel or even the local Best Western.

Another fun option if you happen to be in the UK with a camper van is wild camping. It’s free to park on one of the nearby streets overnight for almost as long as you want. They do clear out the space during the solstice events, but otherwise it’s a great free place to stay. Again, assuming you have a camper van. For more information on wild camping at Stonehenge, check out this helpful guide .

Things to do Near Stonehenge

If you’re visiting Stonehenge, there are a few other popular attractions in the area that might be worth visiting as well. Most tours to Stonehenge from London will include stops at one or more of these attractions.

• Windsor: This charming town is home to Windsor Castle, which is the primary residence of the Queen. The town itself is filled with classic English pubs, gorgeous gardens, pedestrian shopping streets and more.
• Bath:  This English city is famous for its Roman history. Popular attractions include the Roman baths, gothic Bath Abbey and impressive Georgian architecture.
• Oxford: Home to one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, the city of Oxford is bursting with history, scholarship and beautiful buildings and squares.
• Salisbury : A small town near Stonehenge with a charming city center. You can also visit fellow National Trust site, Mompesson House, or see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral.

For our visit to Stonehenge, we chose to visit with a tour group. We selected the “ Stonehenge Inner Circle and Windsor Day Trip ” tour which we purchased through Get Your Guide.

We selected the evening tour, which departs London later in the morning, stops at Windsor first, and then goes to Stonehenge for the inner circle tour after the site has closed to general admission guests.

In this section, we’ll breakdown the details of our experience on this specific tour.

Why We Chose This Tour

We chose this tour for two reasons: transportation and inner circle access.

Transportation from London to Stonehenge was really important for us. Since we were visiting with a young child, we didn’t want to deal with the hassle and time delays that come with taking public transit. (If it were just us adults, we likely would have tried that though.)

We weren’t traveling with a car seat, so we needed a transportation option that wouldn’t require one. I reached out to the provider for this specific Stonehenge tour, Evans Evans Tours, and they confirmed that they typically operate a 53-seater coach. This particular vehicle type allows children to sit on their parents lap safely without a car seat.

Another reason we chose this specific tour was because we really wanted Inner Circle Access. We only anticipated visiting Stonehenge one time, so we figured we’d just go all in and see it the best way we could.

Booking Our Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour

By the time I was booking our tour a month in advance, there were very limited inner circle tour options available. Our trip was also over the summer solstice, which further limited our options. This Stonehenge tour from Get Your Guide was the only one that had space available during our trip dates.

We booked the tour titled “ From London: Stonehenge Inner Circle and Windsor Day Trip .” If you click “Book Now,” you will be prompted to selected the number of guests and the date. This tour is only offered on select Mondays and Saturdays.

Then you can select your time. There’s an early option that goes to Stonehenge first before it’s open to general admission guests, then stops at Windsor before returning to London, or a late option that visits Windsor first and then goes to Stonehenge for the inner circle experience after the site has closed.

After you purchase your tickets, you’ll receive a voucher in your email.

These tours can sell out, especially during peak season in the summer. I recommend planning early and booking through Get Your Get as soon as possible. They offer free cancelations up to 24 hours in advance, so you can easily cancel if your plans change.

This tour was not cheap. This specific Stonehenge inner circle tour cost $160 per person adult. Seniors over 60 and children 3 – 16 are slightly cheaper and children 2 and under are free.

Transportation from London

Our Stonehenge inner circle tour departed from Park Plaza Victoria London hotel. This location is across the street from the tour provider’s office and just a short walk from Victoria Station.

The instructions state to meet in the lobby of the hotel 15 minutes prior to departure. Everyone on our tour was on time and we actually were able to depart early.

London traffic is horrendous. I swear there was a point where we literally did not move for 15 minutes. As we crawled through London traffic, the tour guide provided a slew of fun facts and stories about London, the Queen and neighborhoods we passed through.

The Stonehenge inner circle tour is quite popular and often has a large group. Transportation is typically on a large 53-seat coach bus. During our tour, every seat on the bus was full.

The bus was clean and comfortable, and they ran the AC at an American-approved level. The seats were close together, but only noticeable because we had a child on our lap. There were seatbelts and we were told to keep them on the entire trip.

First Stop: Windsor

Our first stop was Windsor, where we spent about 3 hours. The town is cute and very walkable. The focal point of the town is of course Windsor Castle, the main residence of Queen Elizabeth.

When we got off the bus, we were given a few minutes to use the bathroom and grab a quick drink or snack. Our guide distributed audio headsets and led our group into town. He then offered a 30 minute optional walking tour through town and then we were free to explore for another 2.5 hours.

There was an event at the castle on the day we were there, so it was closed to visitors. Otherwise, you typically have the option to go inside the castle during this tour. Admission is not included in the price of the tour though.

Even if you don’t go inside the castle, there is plenty to do in Windsor. There are several pedestrian shopping streets and lots of pubs and restaurants to get lunch. There’s also a large grassy area called the Long Walk, which offers a great view of the castle and is a nice place to picnic outside.

Eton College — famed school of elites like Prince William, Tom Hiddleston and Ian Flemming — is also located in Windsor. Our guide said that the Eaton campus is one of his favorite places and where he always chooses to spend his time in Windsor during the tour.

Without a toddler, we would have gotten a beer at a cute pub and spent a few hours wondering every inch of town. Instead, we spent two hours on the Long Walk with a napping toddler. #parenting (I kid. It was lovely and we’re happy to do it.)

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour

It was about an hour drive from Windsor to Stonehenge. We then had about 45 minutes to see the museum exhibits, grab food at the cafe and visit the gift shop.

There was enough time to walk to the stones, but it would have really cut into your museum/eating time. Otherwise, there was one shuttle bus ready to take the group to the stones at a set time.

When we arrived at the stones, we were kept outside the ropes for a short period of time so everyone could take photos of the stones without anyone in the picture. Then we were allowed to pass beyond the rope and enter the inner circle of Stonehenge.

We were allowed to freely walk around and through the stone circle, but we were not allowed to touch or step on any of the stones. There was a security guard with us making sure no one broke these very basic rules.

Our guide was not only incredibly knowledgeable, but was also quite the photographer! He was snapping photos in all the best spots for everyone in our tour group. At one point, nearly half the group was in line for one of his photo spots.

We had about one full hour to wonder around the stones, take photos and experience this ancient stone circle. This was more than enough time for us. We spent the last half of our time sitting in the grass and just soaking it in.

After our inner circle experience, we loaded back into the bus for our return drive to London.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour Feedback

We enjoyed this tour. It was a really fun, well run and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we won’t soon forget. If money was no issue and you had the luxury to plan in advance and secure a ticket, we’d recommend it.

First off, I was really impressed by our guide specifically. He was incredibly knowledgeable and flooded us with facts and fun stories from the moment we left London to the moment we returned. He was incredibly knowledgable, answered questions and gave us great suggestions for things to do throughout the trip and back in London.

Windsor was a nice stop on the tour. We probably wouldn’t have otherwise gone to Windsor, so it was a good push to get there. It was a cute, walkable city and it was nice to see the castle, even from a distance.

Seeing Stonehenge in real life was cool. I won’t say it was life changing. In fact, Stonehenge is exactly what it looks like in photos. I think I expected to be more wowed by the size or organization, but I just didn’t feel that. That said, seeing it up close made me appreciate the difficulty and effort that must have gone into building it.

Overall, the Windsor and Stonehenge inner circle tour was easy and really enjoyable.

Is the Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour Worth It?

At $160 per person, this specific tour is expensive. The most obvious question is, “Was it worth it?”

Let’s start by saying that a basic tour without inner circle access is definitely worth it. It’s the most convenient and cheapest way to get to Stonehenge from London. Inner circle tours are generally about $100 more than general admission tours. So the question is should you spend the extra money for inner circle access?

I think the most important thing is managing your expectations. You don’t necessarily need the inner circle tour to have a great experience at Stonehenge, but you should know that it’s an option.

I think a lot of people expect to get a lot closer with general admission and that’s just not the case. It’s important to understand what you’re getting with both different tour options, and then decide if seeing the stones up close is important to you.

We personally splurged on the expensive inner circle tour because we figured if we were going to make the trek out there, we might as well see it as close as we can. We don’t regret that decision, but we do think we would have likely had a fine time with general admission.

The view from the sidewalk is honestly pretty good. So if you’re looking to save some money or if the timing doesn’t work out for you, we think general admission is just fine.

What you get during the inner circle experience is pretty straight forward. If you want a relaxing, private, up-close look at the stones, this is for you. That might not be important to everyone, and just know that it’s not essential to having a good Stonehenge experience. Just set your expectations accordingly.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour with a Baby

We’ve mentioned throughout this post that we brought our almost-two-year-old toddler on this Stonehenge inner circle tour. The tour we took is family-friendly and children of all ages are welcome.

Children ages 3-16 receive a discounted price of $128 and children two and under are free. If you bring a child under 3, they will not get their own seat on the bus and will need to sit on an adult’s lap. Children do not need a carseat on this tour.

I will say the bus is a bit cramped. We did okay with our child who was almost two, but it was hard at times to keep them from banging the seat in front of us. The bus ride with a child closer to 3 would be a bit tough, especially if you have a squirmer.

This tour requires a good amount of travel time. It took about 1.5 hours to get from London to Windsor, 1.5 hours from Windsor to Stonehenge, and then almost 2 hours from Stonehenge back to Victoria Station in London.

It’s a long travel day and either leaves really early or gets back pretty late. We took the later tour and didn’t get back into the city until about 11. This means you’ll have to be flexible with sleep schedules.

If you have a child who can sleep in a carrier, Windsor was a great place for a nap. The Long Walk is pretty, quiet and shaded. Kids who can nap on your lap in the bus will also fare quite well.

Stonehenge is great for kids. The museum has a really cool 360-degree theatre experience and other interactive exhibits to keep them busy. Outside they can explore ancient homes and even try to pull a stone themselves.

The stone circle couldn’t be more ideal for a young child. The monument is outdoors and there’s so much space. Kids can freely roam and even be pretty loud without parents feeling too bad. The hardest part is that you can’t touch the stones, which can be hard for handsy toddlers.

There’s plenty of good food options for children throughout the day. There are several quick-service and sit-down restaurants in Windsor for a late lunch. You get to Stonehenge around dinner time, and the cafe will be open. They have a wide range of meals and snack options that are great for kids, and there’s highchairs available in the dining area.

That said, if you have a picky eater or dietary restrictions, we’d recommend bringing your own meals. We filled a bento box with veggies, fruit and a sandwich that we picked up at a convenience store in London. (We always travel with one of these .) It’s also a good idea to bring snacks for the bus rides.

Our little one loved Stonehenge, just not quite as much as the London Eye . We get it — it’s a tough act to follow.

Closing Thoughts

All things considered, we really enjoyed our visit to Stonehenge. It’s always cool to see ancient places in real life that you usually only see on Instagram. The stone circle was beautiful and impressively built and a true testament to human strength and ingenuity.

We did have a panic moment the day before our tour when we thought the trip was going to be just too much for our little one. Fortunately, they did great. We know they won’t remember it, but we’re glad that we’re taking them on these kinds of adventures so early in life.

While we loved our visit to Stonehenge, we probably wouldn’t recommend it for your first trip to London (unless you’re really interested in stone circles).

A visit to Stonehenge, however you get there, is likely to take an entire day out of your London itinerary. There is just so much to do in central London, that it’s really hard for me to justify spending a full day out of the city. I think Stonehenge is a great activity for a second or third trip to London, though.

More From This Trip

• British Airways Business Class Review – 777 from JFK to LHR
• London Travel Guide
• Things to do in London with Kids – Family Travel Guide + Tips
• How to Use the London Underground – A Beginner’s Guide to the Tube
• Bankside Hotel London Review
• London Eye Visitor Guide – How to Visit the Iconic Ferris Wheel in London
• Little Venice London Boat Ride Guide & Review
• Visiting London Transport Museum
• Complete Guide to Big Ben in London
• Borough Market Visitor Guide
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• Walking in Paris – 5 perfect walks through Paris with maps
• Paris with Kids – Planning Guide, Things To Do & Tips
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Visiting Stonehenge: a complete guide including FREE options [2024]

Visiting Stonehenge is a must-do for all travellers, whether you’re from the UK or visiting from abroad, at least once in their lives.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, arguably the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe and nearly a wonder of the world, the Neolithic site is shrouded in history and mystery. This only adds to its importance as a vital part of our heritage and makes it a truly fascinating place to explore.

In this guide, I’ll cover all you need to know about visiting Stonehenge from how to get there to how much it costs and what you’ll experience while you’re there.

Visiting Stonehenge: the essentials

Where should i stay to visit stonehenge.

The nearest major cities to Stonehenge are Bath, Bristol and London, although it’s easily visitable in one day from Bournemouth, Brighton and Oxford too – to name just a few.

If you’re looking for accommodation in England, I always use Booking.com for a wide variety of options – and Genuis discounts, hello!

Why is Stonehenge so special?

Even though Stonehenge as we know it was built around 2500 BC, so much about its construction and meaning is still a mystery to us.

There’s even evidence that an early monument was built on the site before the unique stone circle, around 5,000 years ago, so it’s extremely likely that there’s a deeper religious or spiritual meaning to Stonehenge.

There are so many mysteries surrounding Stonehenge: for example, how and why the Stones were transported to the area, as they originate from the Preseli Mountains in Wales!

The Stones are also positioned to align perfectly with the sun on the solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east and shines directly into the heart of Stonehenge. On the winter solstice, the sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle.

Is it worth visiting Stonehenge?

Yes: without a doubt, Stonehenge is worth the visit.

Honestly, as a Brit who’d grown up knowing it was only a few hours away, I wasn’t sure how meaningful the trip to Stonehenge would be. However, it was amazing to learn about the history of the local area and how many other ancient monuments surround Stonehenge – it’s clearly a special place.

I’ll go into more detail on what exactly you’ll experience later but for now, let’s get you there!

How to get to Stonehenge

Stonehenge is just one hour from Bath and Bristol, and two hours from London by road. Stonehenge is located just off the A303 – you may even catch a glimpse of the stone circle as you drive past!

Enter the postcode SP4 7DE and follow the brown and white tourist signs to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre.

Please note if you’re arriving by car, parking is free if you’ve pre-booked your tickets. If not, you’ll have to pay for parking initially – although it’s fully refundable on the purchase of a ticket to Stonehenge.

You can take a direct train from London Waterloo to Salisbury, the nearest train station, in around 90 minutes. Regular trains also run from Bristol, Bath or Southampton.

From Salisbury, take a taxi or the Stonehenge Tour Bus which departs hourly from the railway station forecourt.

There are many companies offering coach tours, particularly from London Victoria. There are also small group and private hire options available to book, which is a great option if you’re travelling solo and want to meet other people.

How much does it cost to visit Stonehenge?

Ticket prices.

There is a charge to visit the Stonehenge offical attraction which includes viewing the Stones, plus the visitor centre and exhibitions. It’s slightly cheaper to book your tickets for Stonehenge online, which also saves you waiting in line to get in.

In 2024, ticket prices vary depending on the season and day of the week – as you’d expect weekends are slightly more expensive.

To give you an idea of the costs of visiting Stonehenge, weekday off-peak adult tickets start at around £23 with the voluntary donation (£20.90 without) or weekends start from £26 in the winter season – currently until March 2024.

Child (5-17), concession or family tickets are available too.

English Heritage members get free entry to Stonehenge so take your membership card with you on the day – you can still book in advance too.

Individual English Heritage memberships cost £5.75 per month or £69 per year so if you’re planning to visit multiple English Heritage sites over the next year, it may work out cheaper to buy a membership.

Can I visit Stonehenge for free?

While you can’t get as close to Stonehenge as with a paid ticket, there are free walking trails that take you alongside the visitor area!

Park for free around Fargo Road (we saw quite a few campervans who’d stayed overnight in this spot) and take the footpath at the end of Willoughby Road directly to Stonehenge. It’ll take you about 20 minutes which is faster than parking up at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre car park – and cheaper too, as you won’t have to pay for parking.

I’d particularly recommend this option if you can get to Stonehenge before or after the opening/closing times in the summer, as you’ll likely have a much clearer view without all the paid visitors between you and the path. The view you’ll get is similar to this – just even further back.

What to expect on your trip to Stonehenge

What is the best time to go to stonehenge.

The quietest times to visit are before 11:00 or after 14:00.

We booked our tickets for 10:30 arrival on a Friday. You can arrive within 30 minutes of the time stated on your ticket so we actually parked up around 10:15 and could go straight into the museum.

What should I expect when I visit Stonehenge?

It’s not just the famous stone circle you can visit at Stonehenge! There’s also an amazing visitor centre with an exhibition telling you all about the area’s history, virtual Stones experience and model Neolithic houses.

When it comes to visiting the monument itself, this is situated a little way from the visitor centre which works to build up the excitement! You can take the shuttle Visitor Bus to the Stones – they run on a constant loop and take around 10 minutes to get there.

However I wouldn’t recommend this option unless you aren’t super mobile as the other option is a really lovely walk. This takes a little longer – probably 20 minutes along the road or 30 minutes if you take the scenic detour along the fields.

As well as being a really pretty part of the countryside, there’s also some history to the fields as they’re home to some ancient burial mounds, so it’s definitely worth the detour at least one-way.

There’s also the classic gift shop and café but we didn’t check them out so I can’t recommend them either way!

How close can I get to Stonehenge itself?

With normal access tickets, you can get within a few metres of Stonehenge but must not venture beyond the roped-off area. The picture below is probably the closest vantage point you’ll get – pretty amazing, but still a decent way back.

If you’re like to visit the Stonehenge inner circle, this is only possible with specialist Stone Circle Experience tickets.

What is the Stonehenge Stone Circle Experience?

The Stone Circle Experience allows 30 people at a time to go inside the stone circle. Time slots are extremely limited, as they take place around the site’s official opening hours – around sunrise and sunset.

You have to take the shuttle bus to the Stones on this experience so you’ll get around 45 minutes inside the inner circle. While you still can’t touch or stand on the stones, you can take as many photos as you’d like and a guide will be with you to answer any questions.

If Stonehenge and its history has a special meaning to you and you’re willing to work around those time slots, it’s 100% worth the extra cost for the Stone Circle Experience. Even having visited once already, I’d absolutely consider it.

The Stone Circle Experience costs £61 for adults and £37 for children aged 5 – 17 (children under five go free) until March 2025, with English Heritage Member discounts available.

How long should I spend visiting Stonehenge?

You can enter Stonehenge within 30 minutes of the time allocated on your ticket and stay as long as you like.

I’d recommend allocating two hours to your visit at an absolute minimum, although we enjoyed nearly four hours here on our visit. It was an absolutely glorious day so we enjoyed our picnic on the grass with an unbelievable view of the stone circle.

The last allowed entry is two hours before closing time so bear that in mind if you’re hoping to go later in the day.

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’ve officially learned all you need to know about visiting Stonehenge for the day. I hope you have a wonderful trip – believe me, it’s so worth it!

If you liked this post, you may also like:

The 10 BEST things to do in Anglesey, North Wales Underrated things to do in Liverpool, England Sustainable glamping at Wild Wellingtons , Wales How to see the real-life Hogwarts Express in Scotland

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Journey Through Time: A Tour To Stonehenge From London For History Enthusiasts

Have you ever dreamt of walking amongst the giants of history, of unraveling the mysteries whispered by ancient stones?

A trip to Stonehenge from London offers history enthusiasts exactly that: a chance to stand before a monument that has transcended millennia, a testament to a civilization shrouded in time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the allure of Stonehenge, its historical significance, and the practicalities of planning your own unforgettable visit to London.

We’ll explore the best times to visit, different travel options, and the essentials you’ll need to pack for this unique adventure.

And for those who crave an even deeper connection, we’ll explore special access tours and nearby historical sites that enrich the Stonehenge experience.

So, stick with us to the end!

Significance of Stonehenge: Unraveling the Mystery

Stonehenge’s origins are as fascinating as they are shrouded in uncertainty. Archaeologists estimate its construction began around 3000 BC and continued for nearly 2000 years. The sheer scale of the undertaking is astounding.

These massive sarsen stones, weighing up to 25 tons each, were transported from over 20 miles away. How this feat was achieved remains a subject of much debate.

Beyond its physical presence, Stonehenge held immense cultural significance.

It served as a focal point for rituals and ceremonies for millennia. Theories abound on its purpose: a celestial calendar, a temple dedicated to sun worship, or even a burial ground for the elite.

Each theory adds another layer of intrigue to this remarkable monument.

Planning Your Trip: A Guide for History Buffs

To maximize your experience, a little pre-planning goes a long way. So, continue reading below:-

1. Best Times to Visit

Stonehenge’s popularity fluctuates throughout the year. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the ideal time for your visit:

Tranquil Exploration: For a serene experience with fewer crowds, aim for the shoulder seasons – spring (April-May) or fall (October-November).

Winter Solstice Spectacle: Witness the awe-inspiring sunrise over Stonehenge on the winter solstice (around December 21st). However, tickets for this limited-access event sell out very quickly, so advanced booking is essential.

Pleasant Weather: Summer (June-August) offers the most pleasant weather but also brings peak crowds. Prepare for potentially longer wait times and busier viewing areas.

2. Getting There

Reaching Stonehenge from London is a breeze, with options catering to different preferences and budgets. Consider guided Stonehenge tours from london for a hassle-free experience.

These tours typically include comfortable transportation by coach, entrance fees to the monument, and the invaluable expertise of a knowledgeable guide who can share fascinating insights about Stonehenge throughout the journey.

These guides often provide commentary through a personal audio headset, allowing you to explore the site at your own pace while receiving insightful information about the monument’s history and significance.

For the independent traveler, public transportation offers a cost-effective option.

Trains run from London Waterloo Station to Salisbury, the nearest major city to Stonehenge. From there, you can connect with a dedicated Stonehenge tour bus or grab a taxi for the final leg of your journey.

Remember to factor in potential connection times and plan accordingly.

Finally, renting a car offers the ultimate flexibility. Take the scenic route, stopping at charming villages along the way, and enjoy the freedom to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Just be sure to factor in parking fees at the Stonehenge visitor center.

3. What to Bring

To ensure a comfortable and enriching experience, pack these essentials:

Comfortable Walking Shoes: The path around Stonehenge is well-maintained but involves walking on uneven ground. Choose sturdy shoes with a good grip for navigating the terrain.

Weatherproof Gear: English weather can be unpredictable. Pack a waterproof jacket or poncho to shield yourself from sudden showers.

Sun Protection: Even on cloudy days, the sun can be strong. Bring sunscreen and a hat to prevent sunburn.

Snacks: While limited food options are available near Stonehenge, you can bring your own snacks if you prefer. Opt for lightweight, energy-boosting options like granola bars, nuts, or fruits.

Camera: Capture the awe-inspiring sight of Stonehenge for posterity. Consider bringing a camera with a good zoom lens to capture details of the stones from afar.

Remember, avoid bringing bulky items or anything that could damage the monument or the surrounding landscape. By packing smartly, you can maximize your enjoyment of this historical landmark.

Beyond Stonehenge: Exploring Nearby Historical Sites

Don’t limit your journey to just this iconic monument. Here are a few captivating historical sites that deserve a spot on your itinerary:

1. Avebury Henge

This remarkable prehistoric site in Wiltshire, England, is larger and older than the more famous Stonehenge. This massive Neolithic monument , dating back to around 2500 BC, consists of a large circular stone circle surrounding a village, making it unique.

Unlike Stonehenge, visitors can walk among the stones, touching and feeling their ancient energy. The site is part of a wider landscape of ceremonial monuments, including burial mounds and other henges.

Avebury offers a deeply atmospheric and intimate experience, inviting you to wander through its stones and explore the mysteries of Britain’s prehistoric past in a way that’s not possible at its more famous counterpart.

2. Salisbury Cathedral

It is standing majestically in the heart of Salisbury, England, and is a testament to the ingenuity and devotion of medieval architecture. Constructed in the 13th century, it has the most impressive church spire in the United Kingdom, rising 123 meters (404 feet) to the top.

This architectural marvel is not just about its impressive facade; inside, it houses one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta, a cornerstone document in the history of democracy.

Visitors are captivated by the cathedral’s stunning stained glass windows, which illuminate the interior with vibrant colors, and its ancient clock, which is considered one of the oldest working mechanical clocks in the world.

Surrounded by a tranquil Close, Salisbury Cathedral offers a peaceful retreat as well as a rich historical journey, making it a must-visit for those interested in history, architecture, or spirituality.

3. Old Sarum

Old Sarum, located in Wiltshire, England, is an ancient settlement that combines centuries of history in one fascinating site. This Iron Age hillfort was later transformed by the Romans, Saxons, and Normans, each leaving their mark.

It’s known for the ruins of a castle, a cathedral, and an old town, offering a tangible link to England’s medieval past. Perched on a hill, Old Sarum provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside, making it a historical treasure and a scenic spot.

The site encapsulates over 2,000 years of human endeavor, from its strategic military origins to its role in early English governance.

Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this once-thriving community, walking through the ruins and imagining life as it once was.

Old Sarum invites you to step back in time and experience the layered history of this remarkable place.

A tour to Stonehenge from London is more than just a sightseeing expedition; it’s a journey through time. It allows you to step outside the confines of the present and connect with the echoes of a forgotten past.

So, are you ready to embark on your historical expedition to Stonehenge?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

The post Journey Through Time: A Tour To Stonehenge From London For History Enthusiasts appeared first on Kellys Thoughts On Things .

Michigan Central Station reopening: Everything you need to know

Michigan central station reopens june 6 with an epic concert, followed by public tours all summer long and a 'phased reactivation.' let's catch you up on the historic train depot's revitalization..

Michigan Central Station reopens Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Starting that day, for the first time in person, the public will get a chance to see inside the six-year renovation of the historic building , which sat abandoned for decades after the Corktown train depot's closing in 1988. Ford purchased the station in 2018 from the Moroun family.

The Free Press got a peek inside the Michigan Central Station in recent weeks. Here's everything we saw, plus what to know on the reopening concert , tours and more.

What is Michigan Central Station?

Michigan Central Station opened in 1913 in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood as one of the country’s most spectacular transportation terminals. It saw 4,000 daily passengers at its peak, but, following decades of declining rail travel, was shuttered in 1988 and sat vacant for three decades.

Ford Motor Co. bought the decaying building in 2018 and spent the next six years renovating it. 

Michigan Central Station photos

Here's what Michigan Central Station looks like inside .

The before-and-after photos give you a clear picture of what the train station looked like during its early days and abandoned years, and how it compares to after the $950-million renovation. Here's a look .

When is the Michigan Central Station concert?

A free concert will celebrate the train depot's rebirth, featuring a lineup of well-known Detroit artists. It will be held at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station.

The 90-minute show is part of an 11-day series of first-look events dubbed “Michigan Central OPEN." The space will accommodate 15,000 concertgoers.

Who are the Michigan Central Station concert performers?

A blockbuster, all-star celebration of Detroit music will bring  Diana Ross, Jack White, Big Sean and a host of other top names to the restored Michigan Central train station.

Eminem and his manager, Paul Rosenberg, are billed as executive producers of the Thursday night show. The concert is spearheaded by Ford Motor Co., which spent nearly $1 billion to renovate the site and unveiled the artist roster Monday morning after weeks of buildup. 

Other performers include hip-hop duo Slum Village , gospel stars Kierra Sheard and the Clark Sisters , techno-house DJ Theo Parrish and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra . The show will also feature visiting artists such as Jelly Roll , Fantasia , Common and Melissa Etheridge performing tributes to the city’s rich music heritage. 

Branded as “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central,” the event will stream live on Peacock, then air Sunday on NBC as a prime-time special. 

Here's more from Brian McCollum.

How can I watch the Michigan Central Station concert elsewhere?

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) will host watch parties at the following parks:

• Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., with capacity for 5,000 people.  
• The Corner Ballpark at 1680 Michigan Ave., with capacity for 2,500 people.

Local businesses will also host watch parties, including:

• Alpino Detroit - Michigan Central Opening Reception Hour at 1426 Bagley St.
• Armando’s Mexican Restaurant - MC Open Watch Part at 4242 Vernor Hwy.
• La Jalisciense Supermercado & Taqueria at 3923 Vernor Hwy.
• Mexican Town Bakery at 4300 Vernor Hwy.
• Batch Brewing Company at 1400 Porter St.
• Black Ginger (Housed within the Trumbull and Porter Hotel) at 1331 Trumbull STE 100.
• McShane’s Irish Pub at 1460 Michigan Ave.
• Mercury Burger Bar at 2163 Michigan Ave.
• Momento Gelato and Coffee at 2120 Trumbull.
• Slows BBQ at 2138 Michigan Ave.

When are the Michigan Central Station tours?

Free public tours of the Michigan Central Station begin Friday, June 7, and continue through Sunday, June 16 . Registration for these tours is sold out. These "OPEN Houses" from June 7-16 will allow visitors to experience the grandeur of the restored station through an "immersive" tour. Visitors can expect to explore various activations, storytelling and art throughout the ground floor of the train station.

In addition, OPEN Outdoors will take place outside of the train station on the front lawn of the renovated Book Depository building, now known as Newlab. 

After June 16, the first floor will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer. Expanded hours will later be announced for the fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public, according to a news release.

Here's more .

How do I get to Michigan Central Station?

Major events can drive plenty of traffic in the Corktown area. Several  roads will close  throughout the reopening event, but visitors can choose from nearby street parking, free parking in the 1501 Wabash St. garage on a first-come, first-served basis, riding the bus through the Detroit Department of Transportation, e-scooters or ridesharing.

What's next for Michigan Central Station after reopening?

After reopening festivities, Michigan Central will begin a "phased reactivation" of the train station for several months as restaurant, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners fill the space.

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