Stonehenge , Bath... Maybe Oxford?
May 18th, 2014, 06:56 PM
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Stonehenge , Bath... Maybe Oxford?
Not necessarily in this order but is it possible to shoot up to oxford after Stonehenge and Bath? Using a car rental? What about by train or bus? Is it doable too? Somebody suggested just 20 min in Stonehenge is enough just to take pics then leave for Bath. Any recommendations? Thanks!
May 18th, 2014, 08:15 PM
#4
If your goal is to take a couple of quick pics of rocks, then 20 minutes is more than enough, but why bother going? There are piles of rocks much closer to home. If you want to get nothing out of your travels other than been there, done that, your plan is OK. If you are more serious in your travels than that, then my recommendation is find someone other than that "somebody" for guidance.
I have been to Stonehenge only three times, 2-3 hours each time and would like to return. Bath really takes time to appreciate. A few days would be minimal IMO. Same with Oxford.
I have been to Stonehenge only three times, 2-3 hours each time and would like to return. Bath really takes time to appreciate. A few days would be minimal IMO. Same with Oxford.
May 18th, 2014, 08:29 PM
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LOlll!! That's why I'm here asking for recommendations bec I've never been there...and I'm just writing others' opinion of Stonehenge. Others might see it just a bunch of rocks, while some might see it as a historical monument. To each his own opinion I guess and I'm gathering as much info as I can so our family can make the most of our travel in the time frame that we have.
May 18th, 2014, 08:54 PM
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You know what? I've already stated Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford...ok?! Is that not "Specifying an interest" for you? What part of this don't you understand history traveler? If you're offended by others opinion then you have no business giving recommendations..,,Sheeeshh..
May 18th, 2014, 11:23 PM
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I would suggest planning Stonehenge and Bath as the day trip.
If you have a car, and the time/inclination you could add Oxford on the day, though it is not really a logical place to visit in combination with the other two.
If you have a car, and the time/inclination you could add Oxford on the day, though it is not really a logical place to visit in combination with the other two.
May 19th, 2014, 12:40 AM
#10
It kinda depends. Certainly you can follow the advice of your friend and stop for 20 minutes, that would be enough time to park, walk out to the main standing stones, take some snaps with the family, walk back, use the facilities and drive on.
Bath (not my favorite site) can be done a number of ways, but even the speed visitor would want to walk the baths (with the audio) and that takes about 2 hours, then the lower level town must consume at least an hour, maybe include the river but exclude the American stuff at the University. Walk up to the crescent and the buildings there another 1 hour so at full speed you could do it in 4 hours. I did it in a cold winters day in 6 hours and felt there was more to offer, but again up to you. Oxford is harder (firstly you have to find a place to park) I susupect a flyby visit (excluding the river and all the out lying areas such as the Parks and doing no college visits and no punting could be done in about 2 hours, a proper visit would be a full day and that would be leaving out loads of stuff.
Going back to the Stones question. Outside of the obvious standing stones (re-erected by Victorians) and how they got there (which I'm sure are discussed in the "visitors centre") there is a second ring of stones which can just be made out and even further out a third ring which are mainly just holes in the ground. With research there is also a causeway heading off to where the river was/is and along the causeway are further stones but you will not see these. To south is what is called "woodhenge" but this has rotten away. The whole site is now denuded of trees though at the time this would probably have been in a massive clearing in a forest that covered most of the country. Quiet how one is meant to imagine that in a 20 minute visit I don't know.
Now if I tried to fit all this into one day, I'd struggle, especially as the opening times of things are limiting and cannot see any logical way to do it, however what would be good is to have a go and come back and tell us how you got on.
The question about your interest does make sense, for instance, if your interest in Bath was Roman rather than Georgian you would not need to see the Crescent and so save a bit of time etc.
Have a great trip.
Bath (not my favorite site) can be done a number of ways, but even the speed visitor would want to walk the baths (with the audio) and that takes about 2 hours, then the lower level town must consume at least an hour, maybe include the river but exclude the American stuff at the University. Walk up to the crescent and the buildings there another 1 hour so at full speed you could do it in 4 hours. I did it in a cold winters day in 6 hours and felt there was more to offer, but again up to you. Oxford is harder (firstly you have to find a place to park) I susupect a flyby visit (excluding the river and all the out lying areas such as the Parks and doing no college visits and no punting could be done in about 2 hours, a proper visit would be a full day and that would be leaving out loads of stuff.
Going back to the Stones question. Outside of the obvious standing stones (re-erected by Victorians) and how they got there (which I'm sure are discussed in the "visitors centre") there is a second ring of stones which can just be made out and even further out a third ring which are mainly just holes in the ground. With research there is also a causeway heading off to where the river was/is and along the causeway are further stones but you will not see these. To south is what is called "woodhenge" but this has rotten away. The whole site is now denuded of trees though at the time this would probably have been in a massive clearing in a forest that covered most of the country. Quiet how one is meant to imagine that in a 20 minute visit I don't know.
Now if I tried to fit all this into one day, I'd struggle, especially as the opening times of things are limiting and cannot see any logical way to do it, however what would be good is to have a go and come back and tell us how you got on.
The question about your interest does make sense, for instance, if your interest in Bath was Roman rather than Georgian you would not need to see the Crescent and so save a bit of time etc.
Have a great trip.
May 19th, 2014, 12:44 AM
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I've spent around two hours at Stonehenge on two visits and 20 minutes on another with my 80+ parents. On my first visit in 1973 you could still walk among the stones.
My parents were pleased to have seen it and over tea we had a good discussion about the various theories of how and why it was constructed, the dolmens in the area, etc.
Bath, if you are interested in Roman and Georgian history and plan to tour the spa, the abbey, the assembly rooms, Royal Crescent, or any of the above, you need a good amount of time.
Even with just a drive-by of Stonehenge (you used to be able to see it from the road but I know there have been on-going rennovations so no longer know if you can) and 3-5 hours in Bath you would be hard-pressed to see anything of Oxford on the same day.
Oxford is an easy train trip from London and you could combine it with Blenheim in Woodstock.
My parents were pleased to have seen it and over tea we had a good discussion about the various theories of how and why it was constructed, the dolmens in the area, etc.
Bath, if you are interested in Roman and Georgian history and plan to tour the spa, the abbey, the assembly rooms, Royal Crescent, or any of the above, you need a good amount of time.
Even with just a drive-by of Stonehenge (you used to be able to see it from the road but I know there have been on-going rennovations so no longer know if you can) and 3-5 hours in Bath you would be hard-pressed to see anything of Oxford on the same day.
Oxford is an easy train trip from London and you could combine it with Blenheim in Woodstock.
May 19th, 2014, 01:01 AM
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Thanks bilboburgler and Cathinjoetown...Based on your recommendations, I'll follow ya'lls advice and just stick with Bath and Stonehenge. I saw the website on Stonehenge and it says you have to buy tickets ahead if time so we'll do that. I don't think 20 min is enough to visit Stonehenge . I didn't fly all the way from Texas just to spend 20 min in one of the most iconic monuments in the world. Bath closes @5pm so we'll do Stonehenge first then Bath.
Appreciate ya'll for the advice!������
Appreciate ya'll for the advice!������
May 19th, 2014, 12:25 PM
#13
I am not sure what you mean by Bath closes at 5. Critical is from where in the UK you are coming and to where will you return at the end of the day. London?
Here is why. If you visit Stonehenge in June, July or August, the last entering time is at 6 with closing 2 hours later. That means that you may be able, depending on your starting place, to first visit Bath in time for the free guided walking tour of the city which is at 10 - well worth the 2 hours since it gives you a great overview and history, followed by the museum tour, figure another 2 hours. That could leave ample time to arrive at Stonehenge by 6 or even earlier if you are driving, so you will also have plenty of time there. Also, since you are interested in photos, the late afternoon light would be best. If you are in a rental car and basing in London, you can return it in Salisbury, and perhaps have dinner there before returning by train.
Here is why. If you visit Stonehenge in June, July or August, the last entering time is at 6 with closing 2 hours later. That means that you may be able, depending on your starting place, to first visit Bath in time for the free guided walking tour of the city which is at 10 - well worth the 2 hours since it gives you a great overview and history, followed by the museum tour, figure another 2 hours. That could leave ample time to arrive at Stonehenge by 6 or even earlier if you are driving, so you will also have plenty of time there. Also, since you are interested in photos, the late afternoon light would be best. If you are in a rental car and basing in London, you can return it in Salisbury, and perhaps have dinner there before returning by train.
May 19th, 2014, 08:00 PM
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Thank you basingstoke2. I mean the Roman Baths Museum closes at 5pm per their website but if the Stonehenge closes much later, then we'll visit Bath first then Stonehenge. And you mentioned we can return the rental car in Salisbury? We are based in London and my hubby wanted to rent a car. So you said we can drop off the car in Salisbury , is that for any rental agencies we use in London? Also what about a ride back to london? Are there late train schedules going back to London? Just wanna make sure my family's not stuck in Bath. ����
May 20th, 2014, 01:13 AM
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Is there a particular reason for hassling with a car?
Another option is to take an early train from London to Bath (1.5 hours from London Paddington to Bath Spa station leaving every 30 mins).
Then when you are done there take the train to Salisbury (1 hour leaving at least once an hour).
From the station there you can jump on a bus to Stonehenge (leaving from Salisbury station I think every 15 mins) for the quick 9.5 mile drive to Stonehenge – or take a taxi.
Buses leave from Stonehenge back to Salisbury I think every 15 mins. Trains leave from Salisbury to London Waterloo twice an hour and take 1.5 hours. The last train leaves Salisbury around 11pm so you certainly won’t be stuck there.
www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site to look up exact train schedules and book advance tickets.
Driving time from London to Bath is 2+ hours according to Google maps, but will likely take quite a bit longer due to traffic. Then you will need to find parking.
Bath to Stonehenge is 1 hour according to Google maps, but again will likely take longer due to traffic.
Salisbury to London is 1 hour 45 minutes according to Google maps, but again you will likely take longer, especially if you are hitting rush hour.
Not to mention the hassle of renting the car.
Trains get you from city centre to city centre and you don’t need to worry about driving or parking or taking care of a rental car.
Just a thought…in many cases public transit makes more sense in the UK as the roads can get very busy and slow you down substantially.
Another option is to take an early train from London to Bath (1.5 hours from London Paddington to Bath Spa station leaving every 30 mins).
Then when you are done there take the train to Salisbury (1 hour leaving at least once an hour).
From the station there you can jump on a bus to Stonehenge (leaving from Salisbury station I think every 15 mins) for the quick 9.5 mile drive to Stonehenge – or take a taxi.
Buses leave from Stonehenge back to Salisbury I think every 15 mins. Trains leave from Salisbury to London Waterloo twice an hour and take 1.5 hours. The last train leaves Salisbury around 11pm so you certainly won’t be stuck there.
www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site to look up exact train schedules and book advance tickets.
Driving time from London to Bath is 2+ hours according to Google maps, but will likely take quite a bit longer due to traffic. Then you will need to find parking.
Bath to Stonehenge is 1 hour according to Google maps, but again will likely take longer due to traffic.
Salisbury to London is 1 hour 45 minutes according to Google maps, but again you will likely take longer, especially if you are hitting rush hour.
Not to mention the hassle of renting the car.
Trains get you from city centre to city centre and you don’t need to worry about driving or parking or taking care of a rental car.
Just a thought…in many cases public transit makes more sense in the UK as the roads can get very busy and slow you down substantially.
May 20th, 2014, 03:35 AM
#16
use http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2...epeatingloop=Y if you want to get the best out of public transport including buses
May 20th, 2014, 10:59 AM
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I've read reviews from yelp, tripadvisor and other sources about Stonehenge and it's kinda mixed in a sense that some says it's amazing and others said it's not even worth the admission price. We still need to decide whether we have to pay the admission price or just take pics of it in the gate. I know it's worth seeing though being a world renowned icon. Good thing it's enroute with Bath and Salisbury so we can do other things. To each his/her own opinion and we need to respect that.
May 20th, 2014, 11:19 AM
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I am not sure if you have seen the website but this may help you decide...the new visitor centre (opened in the last 6 months I think) is supposed to be very good.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...-hour-or-less/
Previously it was basically just a hut where you paid to get an audio guide so maybe look at newer reviews that have been since they have improved the site...
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...-hour-or-less/
Previously it was basically just a hut where you paid to get an audio guide so maybe look at newer reviews that have been since they have improved the site...
May 22nd, 2014, 05:36 PM
#20
I haven't read everything but >> Somebody suggested just 20 min in Stonehenge is enough just to take pics then leave for Bath. << . . . actually wouldn't be possible even if advisable.
It is VERY important when reading/listening to advice - to know WHEN the person visited. In the 'old days' one could just drive past the site, take a quick photo and move on, or park in the car park and take anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes there.
Now the road is completely gone, you cannot drive near the stones. The visitors center is more than a a mile away and you either walk across the fields to get to the stones or wait for the shuttles. A quick visit isn't remotely possible. . . . Unless you just go to the visitors center and don't go see the henge . . . But that's silly.
It is VERY important when reading/listening to advice - to know WHEN the person visited. In the 'old days' one could just drive past the site, take a quick photo and move on, or park in the car park and take anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes there.
Now the road is completely gone, you cannot drive near the stones. The visitors center is more than a a mile away and you either walk across the fields to get to the stones or wait for the shuttles. A quick visit isn't remotely possible. . . . Unless you just go to the visitors center and don't go see the henge . . . But that's silly.
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