We are arriving in Bath on Fri. June 20th from Oxford and staying until Sunday the 22nd, then heading to London. We wanted to see Stonehenge, even just without actual admission, and possibly Salisbury. Not sure if we should look for a tour. We NOW realize Stonehenge is closed on Sat. the 21st our only full day in Bath and tours aren't going there that day anyways but can't seem to find out if you can still view it just from the outside?? Any suggestions on a good way to see Stonehenge just on our own either on that Saturday or even Friday afternoon, as it would be open then???? And then possibly Salisbury by bus maybe from Bath on Saturday before heading to London on Sunday?
Didn't want to waste the time with an all day tour from London since I'm sure we'll have plenty to see there and most of the tours included Bath or Oxford which we are spending a few days in Oxford at the beginning of our trip.

So you have three days in Bath? Arriving in June 20th, the 21st & 22nd, then departing on June 23rd? Or are you departing on June 22nd for London?

Do you want to see Bath at all?

We stayed in Bath and took the train to Salisbury on our own - it was pretty easy.

We took a tour to Stonehenge and Avebury Stone circle, which was nicer than Stonehenge because at Avebury you can walk right up to the stones. You can't at Stonehenge.

The tour also took us to Castle Coomb & Lacock Village (National Trust site).

It's closed because they'll be clearing up after the solstice stuff. It's likely to be super-crowded on the Friday, and possibly rather rowdy. Could you go on the Sunday on the way back to London?

Forget about Stonehenge. Just won't be possible - unfortunately your timing is horrible. It is always an issue over the Summer Solstice.

And w/ the new visitors Center etc - the logistics don't work to >>view it just from the outside<<

There will be soooooo many other things to see/do in Bath/London just accept that Stonehenge won't be one of them.

We drove from Salisbury to Bath. Below is our day (in words and photos). I highly (HIGHLY) recommend the Tower Tour at Salisbury Cathedral. Phenomenal! I added our day at Salisbury Cathedral before our Salisbury/Bath drive (also with photos).

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...6_Entry_1.html

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...7_Entry_1.html

What he heck...here's our day in Bath, too.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...8_Entry_1.html

One thing to note: The photo essay maitaitom posted was for a visit prior to the new set up at Stonehenge and removal of the road/parking lot.

I remember them talking about that. How does the new set-up work? We thought it was very easy to see Stonehenge, but we got there shortly after it opened in the a.m.

That car park and road is gone. As I understand it, one now parks about a mile away at the new Visitors Center (out of site of the stone circle) and either walks across the fields or waits for the shuttles. This is just based on reading the news reports from when they transitioned to the new arrangements.

I haven't yet seen the new set up myself. I was going to visit the site early last week at the end of my most recent UK trip but the others wanted to see Windsor instead - Which ended up being me sitting in the car for 3.5 hours while my friends toured the castle since I was on crutches (loooong story)

Been to both Windsor and Stonehenge many times so wasn't a huge loss - but would have enjoyed seeing what English Heritage has done w/ the site

" Which ended up being me sitting in the car for 3.5 hours while my friends toured the castle since I was on crutches (loooong story)"

That sucks but seems like good Fodor fodder for a trip report. Hope you got a dinner or at least a Guinness or two out of it.

>> Hope you got a dinner or at least a Guinness or two out of it.<<

Nope.

But julia_t did treat us to a yummy sunday lunch and a pitcher of Pimm's

So since Saturday is totally out, not sure if we want to deal with large crowds Friday afternoon. Sunday would be an option before going on to London as we didn't book a train yet to take us to London, but not sure if take a bus there and back before going to London or if we should try to find a tour on Sun. a.m. Seems as some say Stonehenge is not worth wasting our time on. Also getting mixed reviews on Salisbury, I saw some said it was not worth it but others seemed to love it (as always). Just don't want to make our travel plans to London until we decide.

So since Saturday is totally out, not sure if we want to deal with large crowds Friday afternoon. Sunday would be an option before going on to London as we didn't book a train yet to take us to London, but not sure if take a bus there and back before going to London or if we should try to find a tour on Sun. a.m. Seems as some say Stonehenge is not worth wasting our time on. Also getting mixed reviews on Salisbury, I saw some said it was not worth it but others seemed to love it (as always). Just don't want to make our travel plans to London until we decide.

Go to Avebury instead.

It's much larger than Stonehenge, much more impressive (IMO) and way more powerful than Stonehenge. You can park in the village, walk among the stones (amid the sheepsh*t!), touch the stones, hug the stones, climb on the stones if you want to, sit in the Devil's Chair, visit one or both of the two museum exhibits.

And then there's the amazing East Kennett Long Barrow a mile or so down the road - being INSIDE one of the oldest man-made structures on this planet is a feeling I find indescribable. Silbury Hill is literally just across the road, and can be climbed. The Sanctuary is up another hill close by, and there are chalk White Horses in abundance.

Not forgetting some very pleasant pubs within a few miles.

And all this barely 10 miles off the M4 at junction 16.

I think Avebury has so much more going for it than Stonehenge, but then it's harder to get to on public transport, so thankfully there are many fewer visitors to spoil it's very special magic.

You may have read this recent trip report, but the comments about Stonehenge and Avebury may have some bearing on whether you decide to give Stonehenge a miss and opt for some time spent among the stones of Avebury.

Apologies, I forgot to post the link to the trip report, but here it is...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-edinburgh.cfm

Thanks, I will check out the trip report, but we won't have a car so not sure if we can figure out transportation to Avebury by bus or not, I think fewer visitors would be much better and what you've listed above sounds more interesting also as we're all young and once there would be willing to walk to the other places.