stonehehenge inner circle tours

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July 26, 2012

Stonehenge Tours from London.

Posted by StonehengeNews under Solstice, stonehehenge inner circle tours, stonehenge access tour, Stonehenge experience, stonehenge special access
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Stonehenge is perhaps the most iconic and mysterious of Britain’s many wonders. A large earthen levee surrounding two rings of massive stones located on a vast plain in Wiltshire County, Stonehenge is generally considered a sacred site, but experts differ in their opinions of the site’s original purpose. Although commonly linked to the Druids, Stonehenge was completed long before the first known Druid population arrived in the area. Perhaps it was a burial site for ancient kings or a centre of prehistoric astronomy. Whatever its origin, the mystical Stonehenge draws visitors of all ages and backgrounds

History of Stonehenge

Modern methods date Stonehenge’s earthen levee to approximately 3000 BC, although there is evidence that clearing and preparation of the site might have begun earlier. The inner circle was completed around 2200 BC and the outer circle finished sometime between 1500 and 1200 BC. The stones are arranged on mystical lines known as ley lines, which are said to harness magical energy and are aligned toward the summer solstice. UFO sightings and paranormal activity have been reported around Stonehenge throughout modern history. Until 1978, visitors were permitted to freely wander through the stone circles, leading to vandalism and theft. The popularity of Stonehenge led to a proliferation of highways, parking lots and street vendors. Today, the British government is committed to preserving the site and has undertaken extensive projects to protect the monument and limit the carnival atmosphere.

Daytime Tours

Numerous tour companies offer day trips to Stonehenge from London. These tours generally combine a visit to Stonehenge with a tour of nearby Bath and other local attractions. Daytime tours are an excellent choice for those with limited time. Private, customized tours are available at a higher rate. Ask for tour recommendations at your hotel or at any visitor center in London.

Inside the Circle Tours

Some tour companies, including The Stonehenge Tour Company and Salisbury Guided Tours, have negotiated access to Stonehenge’s inner circle. These tours are pricier than traditional tours and availability is quite limited. Contact the company of your choice as soon as possible to book your tour. Some Inside the Circle tours take place at sunset or sunrise, offering a different view of the monument than that available during the day.

Solstice Tours

If you will be in the area during June, plan to take a solstice tour of Stonehenge. Most Stonehenge tour companies offer a special overnight solstice tour. Visiting on the solstice allows you to view the monument as the ancients intended, with the sun positioned directly over the Heel stone, Slaughter stone and Altar stone. Not all solstice tours provide access inside the circles, so make sure you understand exactly what you are getting.

Touring on Your Own

If you prefer to travel independently, you may visit Stonehenge on your own. English Heritage manages the site and admission is free to members of the National Trust. All others pay a nominal charge. Note that you will not be allowed to enter the circles, but a visitors’ walkway around the site allows you to view it from all angles. Audio guides in 10 languages are included in your admission fee. The walkway is wheelchair accessible.

Nice to see our tours recommended on USA Today: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/stonehenge-tours-11402.html

The Stonehenge Tour Company
The Original and still the bet Stonehenge Tours – http://www.StonehengeTours.com

May 23, 2012

A magical, sensory experience awaits you as Stonehenge is transformed into a glowing fairytale

Posted by StonehengeNews under english heritage, Fire Garden Stonehenge, guided tours of stonehenge, Salisbury festival, stonehehenge inner circle tours, stonehenge 2012, stonehenge access
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Fire Garden at Stonehenge 11th / 12th July 2012
A magical, sensory experience awaits you as Stonehenge is transformed into a glowing fairytale.
Exclusive Guided Tour from London operated by ‘The Stonehenge Tour Company’

As the sun goes down over one of Britain’s most iconic World Heritage sites, French outdoor alchemists Compagnie Carabosse fan the flames of our imaginations with an elemental Fire Garden.

A magical, sensory experience awaits you as Stonehenge is transformed into a glowing fairytale environment where fire sculptures dance in the landscape, mysterious fiery engines illuminate the stones and flaming fire pots and cascades of candles line the pathways.

“A unique opportunity to walk amongst the Stones* at sunset and enjoy this gloriously atmospheric feast for the senses.”
“A once in a lifetime opportunity”

Maria Bota, Festival Director said:

“We aim to inspire, entertain and make moments which transform people and spaces. Our thanks to the remarkable Compagnie Carabosse for their beautiful fire garden creations, to English Heritage, with whom we have worked for many years at Stonehenge, for their continued collaboration and to London 2012 for enabling us to bring this idea to flickering life.”

Carabosse have staged their striking installations across Europe. Each event is unique to its specific location, and here they ignite their creative spark to create a remarkable moment in the historic Wiltshire landscape.

PRACTICALITIES AND TIMINGS The guided walk to Stonehenge from the Fire Garden Car Park to the Fire Garden at Stonehenge is around 1 kilometre, about a 15 minute walk, through National Trust farmland. You will have a beautiful view before you of Stonehenge and the Fire Garden in the landscape. Sensible footwear is definitely advisable as the land is agricultural and the route includes some sloping ground.

*IMPORTANT Please do not climb, stand on or lean against the stones. This is in the interest of personal safety and protection of this special site. As well as putting the stones themselves at risk, climbing on them can damage the delicate lichens. This includes the stones that are fallen.

Highlights
Stonehenge Stone Circle close up
Includes Entrance Fee
Luxury Midi Coach Travel Minimum 2 hours at Stonehenge
Stonehenge Expert Guide Services
Fire Garden Experience

Bookings and information: http://www.stonehengetours.com/stonehenge-fire-garden-tour-july-2012.htm

The Stonehenge Tour Company – www.StonehengeTours.com

May 1, 2012

Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury Small Group Guided Tour

Posted by StonehengeNews under avebury, History Tours, king arthur tour, small group tours, stonehehenge inner circle tours, stonehenge tours
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Take our Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury tour and experience the history and mystery of some of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the South of England.

Avebury Stone Circle

From Neolithic Stone Circles to the ancient Glastonbury Abbey (King Arthur and Queen Guinevere’s supposed final resting place).
You will visit the ancient Stone Circles of Stonehenge & Avebury which have both been drawing visitors for over 5000 years! We also take you through the history of King Arthur and visit famous ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, with time to explore the nearby village.
Our stop in Avebury gives you plenty of time to enjoy this ancient site’s atmosphere & perhaps have a pint at the famous Red Lion Pub located in the centre of Avebury Stone Circle. The Red Lion is on the Top Ten list of the most haunted pubs in England!
Read more about this tour and the sites visited below:
Includes:

· No More than 15 passengers,
· Return luxury mini coach travel
· Visit & entrance to Stonehenge
· Visit to Avebury Stone Circle
· Explore King Arthur’s Avalon & visit the ancient ruins of Glastonbury Abbey
· Free time in Glastonbury Village
· Plus Tour Manager

7.25am-7.45am Pick ups London Zone 1 – at time of booking please specify your requested pick up location.

(We will contact you the day prior to your tour to confirm your pick up time and location – please ensure we have a valid contact phone number/email address that you will have access to in London the day before)
6.30pm – Approximate arrival back in Central London.
**Please note details are subject to changes**

On our Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury tour we visit some very historic and magical sights including:
· Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site and one of the most famous historic & tourist attractions in the UK.
· Avebury stone circle-one of the world’s largest & most mysterious

Glastonbury Tor - Isle of Avalon

pre-historic stone circles
· Glastonbury & the mythical ‘Avalon’ to discover the mystery, chivalry and romance of King Arthur where you have a chance to explore the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey & Glastonbury village with its medieval buildings and unusual shops catering to wiccans, pagans, witches & hippies!

About Stonehenge
Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world is an ancient stone circle that has drawn visitors from all over the world for over 5000 years! What’s left to see today are the substantial remnants of the last in a sequence of such monuments erected between circa 3000BC and 1600BC.
There has always been an intense debate over what purposeStonehenge once served, it is certainly a focal point in a landscape filled with prehistoric ceremonial structures. The site is now an official World Heritage Site.
About Avalon, Glastonbury, the Abbey & King Arthur
A legend tells of how Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail toGlastonbury and built a simple church on the site of this great abbey, possibly the first Christian church in England”.
Glastonbury, in addition to many other places, has been linked to King Arthur. This link at Glastonbury though, is in death rather than life. Arthur was the legendary English King ‘Arthur of the Britons’. He was raised by the wizard Merlin and when only a boy (after many men had tried and failed) Arthur gained the throne by withdrawing a magic sword Excalibur from stone. The nearby CadburyCastle supposedly became his ‘Camelot’.
After his many exploits and stories concerning his Knights, the Round Table and the Holy Grail, he was wounded at the battle of Camlan. This was around the year 542 and he was then taken across the water to the Isle of Avalon for his wounds to be healed.
Legend proclaims that after Arthur’s death a strong spirit haunted the ruins of the Abbey. Appearing as a black armoured knight with red glowing eyes and a desire to eradicate all records of the ancient Arthurian legends, which is why (it is said) that those seeking to discover the truth find so few facts.
Glastonbury is also home to one of the worlds largest performing arts festivals & is famous as a ‘mecca’ for modern day hippies, pagans & witches!

About Avebury
Avebury is the site of a huge henge and several stone circles in the English county of Wiltshire which surround the village of Avebury. It is one of the finest and largest Neolithic monuments in Europe dating to around 5,000 years ago.
It is older than the megalithic stages of Stonehenge, which is located about 20 miles to the south. The henge is aScheduledAncientMonument and a World Heritage Site.
About The Red Lion Pub
The pub is 400 years old and located at the centre of the Avebury stone circle where every six weeks a pagan festival is held. It is in the Top Ten list of most haunted pubs in the country and has been seen on TV as such. The main ghost is that of an old landlady “Florrie” who was supposedly killed here by her husband.
– please ensure we have a valid contact phone number/email address that you will have access to in London the day before.

Visit our website to view this and many more Exclusive Stonehenge Tours
The Stonehenge Tour Company – www.StonehengeTours.com

July 12, 2011

Why Are Stonehenge Tours So Highly Favoured by Londoners

Posted by StonehengeNews under small group tours, stonehehenge inner circle tours, stonehenge access, stonehenge access tour, stonehenge guide, Stonehenge guided tours form London., stonehenge private tours, stonehenge special access, Stonehenge Special Access Dates 2010, Stonehenge tour - special access, stonehenge tours, stonehengeguide
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Are you searching for a truly unique sightseeing experience?

Stonehenge coach tours from London may be the answer to your every wish. An overwhelming divine aura permeates this incomparable monument. A world heritage site, Stonehenge is debatably the most vital archaic structure in the UK. Take a Stonehenge coach tour and uncover why it has acquired such renowned status, and just why it is that Stonehenge tours are so highly favoured over other tours from London.

Stonehenge Guided Tours

Decide between a Stonehenge morning tour or a Stonehenge evening tour with Golden Tours. For the genuinely astounding, indescribable experience, however, you may want to make the most of our elite Stonehenge special access tour. This imparts you with entry to the circle, so that you can get up close to the stones, for a Stonehenge tour with true distinction.

Without a doubt, Stonehenge holds the ability to beguile any visitor. It is an antiquarian structure, yet the details as to its construction remain unclear. 40 tons of rocks have stood on Salisbury Hill for just about 5,000 years. Was Stonehenge used as a religious temple or possibly even as a Bronze Age burial ground?

Theories thrive as to why it was built as well. Discover why it has provoked such debate: go on one of many Stonehenge tours from London.

Or for a comprehensive day out, go on a Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor tour, and discover all three of these charming places. Let Bath’s charming highlights reveal themselves to you: in any case, Bath abounds with captivating sites of culture and holds a rich history. Marvel at the grandiose Royal Crescent and the magnificent Pulteney Bridge. An especial highlight of fascinating Windsor is captivating Windsor Castle.

Bus tours from London to Stonehenge are incredibly prolific. Golden Tours offers a comprehensive range of packages that can fit the wishes of anyone wanting to experience the remarkable wonder that is Stonehenge for themselves. Golden Tours’ large number of tours range from the remarkable value ‘Simply Stonehenge’ tour to Stonehenge special access tours and Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor tours.

The Stonehenge Tour Company
Operating Stonehenge Tours since 1995

April 27, 2011

Stonehenge Summer Solstice Celebrations – June 20th / June 21st 2011

Posted by StonehengeNews under stonehehenge inner circle tours, stonehenge access, stonehenge guide, Stonehenge guided tours form London., stonehenge special access, stonehenge summer solstcice tour 2011, stonehenge tours
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English Heritage are again expected to provide “Managed Open Access” to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice. Please help to create a peaceful occasion by taking personal responsibility and following the conditions (see below).

Please note that a high volume of traffic is anticipated in the Stonehenge area on the evening of Sunday 20th June. The car park (enter off the A303 from the roundabout – it’s signposted) will open at around 7pm on Monday 20th June, and close at around noon on Tuesday 21st June.
Note that last admission to the car park for vehicles is at around 6am. Access Access to the stones themselves is expected to be from around 8.30pm on Monday 20th June until 8am on Tuesday 21st June.

Stonehenge Summer Solstice

There’s likely to be casual entertainment from samba bands & drummers but no amplified music is allowed. When you visit Stonehenge for the Solstice, please remember it is a Sacred Place to many and should be respected. Van loads of police have been present in the area in case of any trouble, but generally a jovial mood prevails. Few arrests have been made in previous years, mostly in relation to minor drug offences.

Facilities Toilets and drinking water are available and welfare is provided by festival welfare services. There are normally one or two food and drink vans with reasonable prices but huge queues, all well away from the stones themselves.

Sunrise is at around 4:45am.

Conditions Rules include no camping, no dogs, no fires or fireworks, no glass bottles, no large bags or rucksacks, and no climbing onto the stones. Please use the bags given free on arrival and take them out, filled with your litter, to the skips provided.

Please respect the rules so that we’re all able to enjoy the solstice morning at Stonehenge for years to come.

Getting there: Where possible, please travel to Stonehenge using public transport. The local bus company, Wilts & Dorset, will be running a service from Salisbury railway and bus stations to Stonehenge over the Solstice period. This bus service will commence at 1830 hours (6.30pm) on Monday 20th June and run regularly until 0115 hours (1.15am) on Tuesday 21st June. A service taking people back to Salisbury will start again at 0400 hours (4am) and run frequently until 0945 hours (9.45am). Access to Stonehenge from the bus drop off point is through the National Trust farmland. More information will be here when available. Needless to say this service is extremly busy, please allow plenty of time.

From London: The ‘Stonehenge Tour Company’ will be offering their usual small group unobtrusive tours to the solstice from London. There are two services departing London at 4pm and 1am – Click here: ‘Stonehenge Summer Solstice Tour 2011′