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Stonehenge, Bath and More – A Day Trip to the West Country:
I’ve lived in London for most of my adult life. Brief excursions to the country, with an idea of making some attempt at rural living failed dismally. Yet, I love the countryside, in particular, the West Country around Cheddar in Somerset where my mother grew up. We lived near Stonehenge for a few years when I was a child, but it was in the days when there was little or no security – we could and did climb on the stones.
Almost on principle, I’ve avoided visiting ever since the area was cordoned off; even when I lived in Wiltshire I’d head for Avebury. I just thought I’d be disappointed. Bath, by comparison, has always been a favourite of mine. Romantic aspirations to be a modern-day Jane Austin or, better still Emma Woodhouse or Elinor Dashwood, come to life for me wandering around the Georgian terraces of Bath.
Nevertheless, if I had to pick places in the West Country that anyone visiting the UK should see, both Bath and Stonehenge would be right at the top of the list. So, I had no hesitation in accepting an invitation to travel to Stonehenge, Bath and a ‘Secret Location’ with The English Bus Company and through Viator. We’d be travelling in a smallish bus – no more than 16 passengers and our driver guide. We set off from a location not far from the London Eye to make our way across London. Traffic was bad, but our driver managed to combine navigating through a route aimed at minimising the delays with a potted London tour.
Stonehenge doesn’t have its own train station, so visitors need to drive, take a coach trip from London or Bath, or travel by train to Salisbury and then take the special Stonehenge tour bus. The English Bus Company option had the advantage of providing a knowledgeable guide/driver to get us to our destination, a small and friendly group of visitors to London and to the UK and of course, an itinerary that included Bath and a secret destination too. The Visitor Centre at Stonehenge has recently been redeveloped and there’s now an excellent cafe (I recommend the homemade soup), a museum and a reconstruction of a Neolithic village, together with the ubiquitous souvenir shop. And, it’s a well managed, popular UNESCO site that seems to manage a large number of visitors in a way that means everyone can see the stone circle without feeling pressured.
From the Visitors Centre, there’s a free shuttle service out to the stones and you can also pick up an audio guide (available in 10 languages). If you prefer, the guide can be downloaded onto your own device too.
It’s a VERY long time since I was last at Stonehenge and I left reassured that new visitors wouldn’t be disappointed. While you can’t walk into the stone circle any more, or climb up on the stones themselves, it’s such a magnificent construction that it still manages to be overwhelming.
On to Bath, where my own visit was cut short by a need to get back to London for a meeting. But those who were staying on and travelling back with the English Bus Company were treated to a walking tour with our guide/driver.
I just had a chance to walk around Bath Abbey (rebuilt on the site of an earlier church in 1616), peer enviously in at the diners enjoying afternoon tea in the Pump Room and skirt around the edges of the Roman Baths. I’ve been to Bath on a separate trip to see the Roman Baths and you can find more detail about what you’ll find inside in that feature.
I spotted the relatively new Thermae Bath Spa too, somewhere to enjoy as a day spa and spend some time relaxing in the stunning rooftop pool. I’ll just have to come back won’t I?
Those staying on were taken home via a secret location. I still don’t know where! But, I suspect I wouldn’t have been allowed to share even if I had been able to stay.
I was a guest of Viator, who offer various trips, excursions and handpicked activities around the world. Our particular trip gets five stars on their site and costs from £79 per person. But there are plenty of alternatives and I know that I will be checking out the Viator site when I travel in the future because they do seem to offer great insider insights to destinations around the world.
Meanwhile, if you have children (or have never quite stopped believing in Father Christmas) and you are looking for something special how about a visit to Lapland UK – which is on the way from London to the West Country, just outside Ascot!
I see the pictures of this city, I like it better than I had expected about this.
You have a thing for London trips don’t you. 🙂 I like how clean and easy to read your writing is. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve left greater London or took time of for sightseeing of any sort. Ever since our first child domestic chores have been a priority but I can’t wait for the small champ to at least jump on his feet. I bet he’ll love Stonehenge even though they do not allow stone climbing anymore…
I haven’t used Viator yet, but it’s a tour company I’ve definitely considered since their tour groups seems to be a good size and are well priced. Stonehendge is a place I have dreamed about visiting since I learned about it as a child! And who wouldn’t want to feel like an Elizabeth Bennet or a Dashwood sister 😉
I’m so jealous that you got to climb over the stones at Stonehenge! I found visiting there disappointing because it was so crowded and regulated. On the other hand, I was thrilled to be seeing Stonehenge! I spend a weekend at Avebury and loved it – now that’s a place where you can really interact with the stones (and the pagans if they still hang out at the local pub like they did when I was there.) Like you, I love Bath – it’s one of the most stunning cities .. and I highly recommend Thermae Bath Spa (except the water isn’t hot enough). The view from the rooftop pool is glorious.
I used to live near Avebury. The pagans are there, in druid costumes for most feasts!
I’ve always wanted to see Stonehenge and Bath. The best way to go seems like taking a bus tour to easily get to both. Thanks for all the tips and info.
I really enjoy the idea of Stonehenge, the mystery, the story, but I just felt so far away from it when I was there and so crowded…on the other hand…Bath is Amazing
I’ve been to Stonehenge twice and Bath once, both on day trips from London. While I love both places, I can understand why some people get disappointed when they see Stonehenge for the first time. 🙂 Would have loved to at least stay overnight in Bath if time had permitted. Oh well, maybe on the next trip to London.
This is a beautiful part of England and so worth the trip if you can find the time to build this into your schedule.. Im going to show my age here a little bit but I have pictures of me (as a child admittedly) sitting on the stones. I guess the authorities worked out that probably wasn’t the best way to preserve the site for years to come.
We were just in London. I did not realize how easy it would have been to visit. I am a bit partial to UNESCO sites anyway. Now I have two more spots on my list of places I hope to see. Thank you so much.
I think the Viator list of trips would work well for most cities round the world. I am planning on trying it when I am travelling myself
What an excellent way to see two major attractions just outside of the city and the bus almost looks like a nice limo style bus, I’ll have to look that up when I travel through London again.
The small bus was really pleasant – and our guide very knowledgeable. It was just big enough for the group to feel friendly – if you wanted to go it alone, it didn’t matter, but if you were looking to meet other travellers, it was good too
I love Bath and same as you I love the West. Bristol is a lovely city with lots to do and to offer, Bath is absolutely charming. Sommerset is a countryside dream and the cotswolds is kinda west too. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of Stonehenge. Although I love to experience the summer solstice, but it’s too crowded.. Also not nice to get stuck in traffic every time we need to use that road because everyone stops to take photos
I liked it better than I had expected – as I wrote, I’ve avoided visiting ever since it became so formalised. The new visitor centre should really help with traffic and also with making sure it doesn’t get too crowded. No one arrives CLOSE to the stones, you are taken up there on a shuttle bus, so in theory it won’t ever get too busy
Have you been to avebury? I have a real soft spot for the place (I used to live about 5 miles away). AND there’s a reasonable pub in the village too!
I did similar trip with my friends, but we rented a car in London, and then visited many of lovely nearby places. We loved Stonehenge, maybe even more since we’re astrophysicists. 🙂 and also Bath is a great town!
I have feeling that viator actually offer a trip there with an astrophysicist as a guide. Did you visit Avebury too?
Every time I see pictures of Stonehenge I get a bit envious. It’s one of my bucket list items that I will (hopefully) mark off next year. I wouldn’t say no to being spoiled at the Thermae Bath Spa either!
Hope you get there soon. Definitely worth booking yourself in for a session at Thermae Spa