London-Stonehenge-Cardiff day trip possible?
Jul 26th, 2007, 11:22 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
London-Stonehenge-Cardiff day trip possible?
We leave in four days for Scotland (2 weeks) and London (1 week). I'm down to the details, and wondering if it is possible/practical to do a day trip from London that covers quick stops at Stonehenge and Cardiff (or Newport)? I'll also look at the trip planning sites, but thought someone here would have thoughts. Thanks!
Jul 26th, 2007, 11:35 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Direct train from Paddington London to Cardiff takes about 2 hours, it also stops at Newport just before Cardiff. If your just going to cardiff for a day a train is easier.I need to ask why do you want to go to Newport as there is not a lot there for someone to go visiting. As for Stonehenge someone else would have to comment on that if you could fit that in I take it you would be driving a car. If you tried to fit all 3 in in one day which might be pushing it, but no doubt someone will help you on that.
Jul 26th, 2007, 11:47 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quick and simple answer is no. Public transport would make it very difficult. The only way would be to hire a car and drive from London to Stonehenge on the M3 and then A303 after which you would detour north through Chippenham and join the M4 to Cardiff. This journey alone (without stopping at Stonehenge) would take about 4 hours. The journey back to London direct would be about 3 hours. Not really do-able.
Better to take a direct train to Cardiff one day. Don't do Newport - as crazychick said, there is nothing to do there.
The take an organised trip to Stonehenge on another day.
Better to take a direct train to Cardiff one day. Don't do Newport - as crazychick said, there is nothing to do there.
The take an organised trip to Stonehenge on another day.
Jul 27th, 2007, 12:24 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's theoretically possible: there are hourly trains from London to Salisbury, hourly buses to and from Stonehenge, hourly trains from Salisbury to Cardiff and at least hourly trains to London.
However, it would be quite pointless as you wouldn't have much time anywhere, and the same would apply if you tried it in a car.
However, it would be quite pointless as you wouldn't have much time anywhere, and the same would apply if you tried it in a car.
Jul 27th, 2007, 07:08 AM
#5
As the others say, you can do a day trip to Salisbury/Stonehenge, or a day trip to Cardiff (why Newport BTW? ). Not both.
Is there a particular reason you chose these? There are many other doable day trips from London.
Is there a particular reason you chose these? There are many other doable day trips from London.
Jul 28th, 2007, 05:34 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, all... it looked possible to do it as a big loop as GeoffHamer describes but not very practical as you've noted. We may try it anyway. And you'll really laugh at me when I tell you why. 12-year-old wants to see Stonehenge, and wants to make sure she steps foot in every country on the "island" of Britain. I don't think we'll stay long at Stonehenge when we do get there, and hoped to quickly set foot in Wales (Newport would work in a pinch) for a meal and get back to London. Didn't want to use up more than one day for this business, as there is much to do in London.
Jul 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What short time you do have in Cardiff would be well spent in the castle. This is in the city centre and well worth a visit. The original keep is still there (Robert, Duke of Normandy - son of William the Conquerer and brother to Kings William II and Henry I was imprisoned there, presumably to stop him taking the throne!)
The 3rd Marquess of Bute re-built a "fantasy" castle there in the 19th century (actually, it was designed and built by William Burgess) and is quite a sight.
There is a 50 minute guided tour available that runs frequently and costs £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children.
Also in Cardiff is the much under-rated musem and art gallery which is under renovation but is currently displaying its incredible impressionist paintings (collected by the Davies sisters in the first half of the 20th century). It is the best such collection outside Paris and London. In fact, it has the most Monet paintings in one place outside Paris. There are also paintings by Renoir, van Gogh, Pisarro, Morisot, Turner, Whistler, Freud, Gaugin, Courbet, Bazille as well as El Greco and Botticelli.
It would be quite a hectic day and one that would be essential to do by car (London to Cardiff is easy be train but not via Stonehenge).
Have fun.
The 3rd Marquess of Bute re-built a "fantasy" castle there in the 19th century (actually, it was designed and built by William Burgess) and is quite a sight.
There is a 50 minute guided tour available that runs frequently and costs £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children.
Also in Cardiff is the much under-rated musem and art gallery which is under renovation but is currently displaying its incredible impressionist paintings (collected by the Davies sisters in the first half of the 20th century). It is the best such collection outside Paris and London. In fact, it has the most Monet paintings in one place outside Paris. There are also paintings by Renoir, van Gogh, Pisarro, Morisot, Turner, Whistler, Freud, Gaugin, Courbet, Bazille as well as El Greco and Botticelli.
It would be quite a hectic day and one that would be essential to do by car (London to Cardiff is easy be train but not via Stonehenge).
Have fun.
Jul 28th, 2007, 07:35 PM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GeoffHamer says: "It's theoretically possible: there are hourly trains from London to Salisbury, hourly buses to and from Stonehenge, hourly trains from Salisbury to Cardiff and at least hourly trains to London.
However, it would be quite pointless as you wouldn't have much time anywhere, and the same would apply if you tried it in a car."
If all coolquail wants to do is spend an hour or so at Stonehenge and the same at Cardiff, or maybe even seeing the castle, it seems like the theorectical is possibel, is it not?
It might be a longish day and not something everyone would do. But with hourly transportation means to and from all points mentioned it just might be possible. And after all, satisfying a 12-year-old on holiday is important too.
However, it would be quite pointless as you wouldn't have much time anywhere, and the same would apply if you tried it in a car."
If all coolquail wants to do is spend an hour or so at Stonehenge and the same at Cardiff, or maybe even seeing the castle, it seems like the theorectical is possibel, is it not?
It might be a longish day and not something everyone would do. But with hourly transportation means to and from all points mentioned it just might be possible. And after all, satisfying a 12-year-old on holiday is important too.
Jul 28th, 2007, 08:02 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The problem is with the term 'theorectically'. Just because public transportation might run on an hourly timetable and there is a timetable connecting the dots so to speak, does not mean one can make the necessary connections. This will require special attention to details (timetables) along with a bit of luck an an early start.
You should also realize that the train from London to Salisbury goes in a southwest direction and the London to Cardiff route is via Reading,Swindon and Newport. In other words, two entirely diffierent routes. It's not easy to get from Salisbury to Cardiff. You really need to look at train timetables/routing.
IMO not really a feasible option.
You should also realize that the train from London to Salisbury goes in a southwest direction and the London to Cardiff route is via Reading,Swindon and Newport. In other words, two entirely diffierent routes. It's not easy to get from Salisbury to Cardiff. You really need to look at train timetables/routing.
IMO not really a feasible option.
Jul 28th, 2007, 11:18 PM
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK. Let's look at it.
Leave London at around 8am by train to Salisbury and arrive at 9.30 (according to www.thetrainline.com).
There are several taxi companies specialising in Stonehenge that you can Google (one is www.andytaxis.co.uk). If you were to arrange in advance to meet at Salisbury station, you could get to Stonehenge by 10.15, "do" it and be back at the station by 12.00 where a train would take 2 hours to get to Cardiff. You could spend a few hours there with lunch, a visit to the castle and leave back to London which takes a further two hours - leaving at 5pm would therefore get you back to the city by 7pm.
I previously said that you'd need a car, but I have to concede that the above is indeed doable - if more than a little expensive. But at least you could see Stonehenge and have 5 hours in Cardiff to do the city justice.
Stonehenge isn't Disneyland and there is little there other than the stones (just as well as it would ruin the "atmosphere"
. English Heritage are talking about improving the tourist aspect, but that's a few years and much planning arguments later.
Leave London at around 8am by train to Salisbury and arrive at 9.30 (according to www.thetrainline.com).
There are several taxi companies specialising in Stonehenge that you can Google (one is www.andytaxis.co.uk). If you were to arrange in advance to meet at Salisbury station, you could get to Stonehenge by 10.15, "do" it and be back at the station by 12.00 where a train would take 2 hours to get to Cardiff. You could spend a few hours there with lunch, a visit to the castle and leave back to London which takes a further two hours - leaving at 5pm would therefore get you back to the city by 7pm.
I previously said that you'd need a car, but I have to concede that the above is indeed doable - if more than a little expensive. But at least you could see Stonehenge and have 5 hours in Cardiff to do the city justice.
Stonehenge isn't Disneyland and there is little there other than the stones (just as well as it would ruin the "atmosphere"
. English Heritage are talking about improving the tourist aspect, but that's a few years and much planning arguments later.
Jul 29th, 2007, 04:18 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"It's not easy to get from Salisbury to Cardiff " according to Historytraveler.
A quick look at www.nationalrail.co.uk shows hourly direct trains, taking 2 hours and 1 minute.
A trip of this sort, requiring one-way tickets, can be very expensive, but would make sense if you're doing other train journeys and have some sort of pass.
A quick look at www.nationalrail.co.uk shows hourly direct trains, taking 2 hours and 1 minute.
A trip of this sort, requiring one-way tickets, can be very expensive, but would make sense if you're doing other train journeys and have some sort of pass.
Jul 29th, 2007, 03:49 PM
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please if you do go to wales do not stop at Newport, there really is not much there and you would regret it. If you are on a train we are talking about another 15 mins on your trip as Cardiff is the nect stop aftwer London. Cardiff is not a very large city the central train staiona is in the center of town and so is the castle. The musem and art gallery are withing walkintg distance of the csatle and as AR it is very underated it has a wonderful art collection.
