Stonehenge
 

Stonehenge - where is it in relationship to London? Can I get there by train or is a rent-a-car necessary? <BR> <BR>Larry

Stonehenge is southwest of London. You can't get right there by train, but would have to rent a car or take a tour. We rented a car & the sight of Stonehenge out in the middle of nowhere was really nice. We drove from Canterbury to southern coast to Stonehenge through London & back to Canterbury in one day. Everything is close.

<BR>There is also a bus than runs hourly from the train station to the site. <BR>Costs between $5-$8. <BR>

Larry, <BR>Stonehenge is west,southwest of London in the vicinity of Salisbury. There is no direct train service. There are three options: train from Waterloo station to Salisbury, then bus to Stonehenge; and Evan Evans day bus tour that includes Bath and Salisbury; Britrail has a similar tour including Bath and Salisbury by train, Stonehenge by bus from Bath. By all means see either Bath or Salisbury or both in conjunction with a visit to Stonehenge.

I have been to Stonehenge twice. Both times I took the train from Waterloo to Salisbury and then took the bus. Once, I took the regular bus to and from Amesbury, and walked out to the "Stones"; the other time we had a local tour bus from the tain station to Old Sarnum and Stonehenge with a return to Salisbury. <BR> <BR>The last time, I stayed behind to take pictures and walked to Amesbury to take the bus back to Salisbury. While I was sitting in a pub adjacent to the bus station, a local fellow sat down at my table and started a conversation that went something like this: "Been out to the Stones have ye?" "Yes", was my response. "How'd ye get there?" <BR>"I walked." With a look of amazement the fellow said "You Yanks aren't much for walking are yuh?" I tried hard not to be a tacky tourist (with reference to a running thread on this forum) and simply said "I don't mind the walk." <BR>

Similar experience to Bob's above. Salisbury is much more interesting than Stonehenge, but the little local bus is absolutely adequate. Take the train from London Waterloo, I believe, and the a short (15 min.) bus ride to the stones. It's pretty touristy, however, and you can't get very close to the circle. There are some nice pubs in Salisbury for lunch before you venture forth. <BR>

A more enjoyable but less well known Stone Circle site was at Avebury which is I believe about 10 to 15 miles from Stonehenge. There is actually a village inside the circle and you can still walk right up to the stones.

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions. This is what makes this forum so valuable.

Hello, <BR> About how long does the local bus from Salisbury to Avebury take? How much time would you alot to Avebury stones? <BR>What's the earliest/latest you can get there? <BR>

<BR>I would also highly recommend Avesbury but since we had a car I am not sure about bus or train. We felt Avesbury was far more intereting than Stonehenge. We spent about 30 minutes at Stonehenge and half a day at Avesbury. The little village in the center of the stones is worth time in itself. There is a very interesting free museum and charming shops to explore as well as the village. Take time for something to eat in one of the places.

We spent several hours at Avebury walking amongst the stones, and walking around town a bit. There is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant/cafeteria right near the site called "Stone's" that I highly recommend. The food was wonderful. The stone circle at Avebury is not fenced off like Stonehenge, so there's really no issue about when you can arrive. They are never "closed".

Stonehenge was beautiful in the "Olden days" when you could walk all around the stones. Now it is fenced off and you do not get the same experience. If I were you I would go to Avebury as suggested. <BR>It is still worth seeing, and you can always say "I did that, bought the T shirt etc.,etc.,"

We have taken a day trip from London to Stonhenge & back to London. Took an early train to Salisbury. Walked to the Salisbury Cathedral & went thru that. Then walked back to the train station where we caught a bus to Stonehenge. It was very convenient. For me, it was worth the trip to Stonehenge, even though you can not work in among the stones. The Salisbury plain is wide open & can be very windy & brisk. If you go to Stonhenge you may want to dress accordingly. On the bus from Stonhenge back to the train station, we got off at the stop to visit the ruins of Old Sarum. You walk up to the top of the hill & get a great view of the area & you are walking in amongst the ruins. Very interesting. Then catch a another bus (this is all on the same bus ticket we purchased in the morning.) back to the Salisbury train station, & then train back to London. <BR>