Stonehenge
 

I am planning a London's visit during 4 days in early Nov. Can I desviate my attention to London, taking 1/2 day for a round trip to Stonehenge? it is about 2hrs. from London. What you recomend to loss: 1/2 day in the old and misterious stones, or 1/2 day in the Thames?. Thanks for any advice.

Stonehenge's stones are off limits; you can only view from a distance. There are bus tours from London (Evans and Evans is one company) that take you out and back, and with a guide. You can take a train to Salisbury; there are guided tours/buses for hire at the train station. Worth the trip if you can also visit the cathedral at Salisbury AND visit the town itself. <BR>There are stones at Ashebury (I think that's the name) that CAN be approached. I don't know if you can get to them via public transportation or guided tour. <BR>Per Beth D, the river ride on the Thames to Hampton Court is pretty boring. Instead, take one of the short river cruises (about an hour or so) that run all day and into the evening. It will be chilly on the river!

To me it doesn't matter if you can touch the stones. Even from a distance they're awesome. <BR>

Have been there 3 times - twice you could go among the stones -this past summer was my first trip when you couldn't. In many ways it is better because you get a clear view of the stones unobstructecd by other tourists.Definately worth seeing

The best way on such a short stay is a day tour (Evans Evans or the like). I have found long delays with trains out of London when I attempted day trips by train. I think Avebury Stone Circle is a bit further from London (UK posters will know) and I've never seen day trips there, but you never know!

You won't want to stop long at stonehenge as the access is so poor,but <BR>Avesbury is a much bigger site, actually <BR>encompasses a village, not far from stonehenge, do both!

We just got back. We took the train to Salisbury and planned to be there at 9:00 so we could get to Stonehenge ahead of the tour buses but when we got there we discovered that the first bus going out to Shonehenge didn't leave until 11:15 from the train station. We walked to the bus station to see if there was another local bus or another option and there isn't - just a taxi for about $45.00. The bus originates from the bus station at 11:00 and we made sure we were first in line and sat on the top in the front of the bus - it was a great way to get the first view of Stonehenge. We spent the time at the Cathedral which is undergoing a lot of construction. If you go make sure to see the copy of the Magna Carta in the Chapter House there. It is much nicer that the one at the British Library. If you decide to take the train count on delays and spending a lot of time at the station so you might want to rent a car.

Just took a bus tour with Atlas Travel (Stones and Bones tour). <BR> <BR>It was a full day tour on a small Mercedes Minibus (about 15 people). The trip included Salisbury, Old Sarum, lunch in a country pub, Stonehenge, and Avebury (plus a stop to view a crop circle). It was about $60 per person (there is a 10% discount if you book over the net and mention you were referred by British Travel). <BR> <BR>It was definitely worthwhile...

I found Stonehenge to not be the site that I expected from photographs. It is right next to a fairly busy highway. I haven't been to Avebury Circle, but think that I might enjoy it more.

I saw Stonehenge for the first time last year. It looked just like it looks in photographs. But, I wouldn't have missed for all the tea in China. It is truly a historic wonder of the world. Go late in the day if possible. There are fewer people visiting it.

I've been to Stonehenge, Avebury, and spent 1/2 day on the Thames. The boat trip (from Westminster to Hampton Court), as Elvira quotes me, I found boring and uncomfortable. I went to Stonehenge 12 years ago, and back then the stones were accessible during Tuesdays in winter. So we went on a Tuesday in December and I have photos of my friend and I standing right next to the stones. It was really amazing. Even with them roped off I wouldn't miss it. Avebury is a fascinating place too. The stones are much smaller, and the circle much larger. It is also older, and there are other great archaelogical sites. I don't think Avebury is as impressive as Stonehenge, and I think one benefits more from a little advance study when visiting there. I was lucky enough to go to Avebury with my mom, the archaeology/anthropology teacher, so it was great. <BR> <BR>The upshot of all this rambling... go to Stonehenge. Its just one of those places you have to see.

We spend 9 days in London in March 2 years ago and took the Evans Evans bus tour for a full day - we took the one that went to Salisbury, Stonehenge, and Bath. I would definitely recommend it on your time schedule - the best of the 3 places for us was the beautiful town of Bath - we had a great time. You can book an Evans Evans tour at the Victoria Bus Station, or perhaps even your hotel will do it for you. Like I said, with your time limits, a bus tour is probably your best option. We enjoyed the tour, but since we had so much free time there, we probably would have been better off taking the train on our own schedule. The bus tours don't give you lots of time in one place and you eat lunch as a group. Have a terrific trip - London is filed with things to do and see. If you have time, do try and see a show - they're inexpensive and fabulous!

We went to Stonehenge in August from London on an Evan Evans Tour which we had booked over their internet site. I'm not a fan of Stonehenge, but I wouldn't have missed it. It was more awesome than I had envisioned. You can touch one of the stones, but not walk among them all. The tour also went to Bath. The tour lasted for a day. (Warning, the buses leave from Victoria COACH Station, which is not the same as Victoria Station; however, if you arrive earlier there is a shuttle to the Coach Station from Victoria). Marilyn