A Roman Bath tour is the favourite tour for many the astute visitor to London.  Why, you may ask?  Is it not enough that Bath is home to the finest preserved Roman spa to be discovered anywhere on earth?  How about the fact that Bath was the first town in England to be given the lofty status of a World Heritage Site?  Explore Bath, for an experience that will you will never forget.
Stonehenge

Whether you wish to go on a Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury tour or Stonehenge tours, take an outstanding quality tour attended by a proficient, skilled guide.

Your London bus tour to Bath will make very clear to you the abundant cultural attractions of the city that are simply waiting to be uncovered. Bath is home to some of the most prominent sites of architecture in the whole of Europe. Bath’s Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge are especially worth viewing: they are truly dazzling landmarks in this glorious city.

Take a truly tremendous day tour to Bath from London. Roman Bath tours will incontestably leave you rapt by this incredible city. Bath is a city that is really distinct from any other: it is sure to captivate you with its elegance and richly dramatic past. And if you do not feel entranced by charming Bath, then combine a visit with a journey to Stonehenge, Windsor, or one of many other places.

Perhaps a package tour would strongly captivate you? Such a tour is a very precious choice for the visitor who really wants to discover a variety of regions over just one day.

Take a hop on hop off bus tour to gain an impression of the optimum aspects of Bath: after all, Bath is replete with culture and a truly rich history. What can outdo the sense of voyaging back into the Roman era, walking the streets once walked by Romans, on a Roman Bath tour?

Captivating Windsor Castle is certainly the most striking attraction in Windsor. This is the world’s largest and oldest castle, and thus it warrants meticulous investigation. Lose yourself in the ornate State Apartments and wonder at your sumptuously furnished surroundings.

Specifically, it is worth viewing Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House in some detail when you visit Windsor Castle. This is the most eminent dolls’ house on the planet. Also explore St George’s Chapel, a tour de force of Gothic architecture.

Take London Trips to Bath for a spectacular day. Roman Bath’s ancient landmarks and extremely well preserved spas will fascinate you. Prepare yourself for a powerfully beguiling experience of Bath.

The Stonehenge Tour Company
www.StonehengeTours.com

Take a Stonehenge coach tour with Golden Tours and find out why this landmark has amassed such renown and status.  Choose a special access tour for a truly unforgettable experience, with entry to the very core of Stonehenge itself.
Stonehenge tours

A world heritage site, Stonehenge is perhaps the most momentous of all the UK’s ancient landmarks. An extraordinary, almost overwhelmingly divine yet somehow obscure ambience pervades incomparable Stonehenge. These 40 tons of rocks have stood on Salisbury Hill for roughly 5,000 years. What was the purpose of Stonehenge? Was it used as a religious temple or possibly even as a Bronze Age burial ground?

With Golden Tours, you can decide between a Stonehenge morning tour or an evening tour. For the most ineffable, unutterably remarkable experience, however, you may want to take our Stonehenge special access tour. This grants you entry to the circle, for close proximity to the stones and a truly unsurpassed Stonehenge tour.

Visit beguiling Roman Bath and Lacock. The pastoral village of Lacock, dating back to the 13th century, overflows with its own charming appeal. It was a pulsating town for wool trade manufacturing during the Middle Ages. Bath was the first town in the whole of England to be afforded World Heritage status, and it is not hard to see why: it is pervaded with grandiose Roman ruins. Marvel at its varied imposing and noteworthy structures, such as its world celebrated spa, Pulteney Bridge (based on Florence’s Ponte Vecchio), and striking Bath Abbey.

There are a profusion of Stonehenge coach tours from London. Golden Tours’ offers a sweeping range of choices for tours, from Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor tours to the outstanding value ‘Simply Stonehenge’ tour. Yet, for the finest experience, choose Stonehenge special access tours. As has already been indicated, Stonehenge special access tours are arguably the most worthy tours to embark upon, as these will allow you to get much closer to the stones than you would on a standard Stonehenge tour.

A comprehensive variety of package day tours can fit the wishes of anyone who intends to experience for themselves the extraordinary marvel that is Stonehenge. For example, you can also try a Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor tour, and explore all three of these enchanting places. The highlight of Windsor is unquestionably Windsor Castle, a breathtaking structure that has enthralled inestimable numbers of visitors for centuries.

Theories flourish as to why exactly Stonehenge was built. See why it has motivated such debate: go on one of many Stonehenge tours from London.

Are you engrossed in the innumerable mysteries that encircle Stonehenge? Continual theories have spread as to why and how it was constructed, for what purpose it was built, and this imposing landmark has mystified many for centuries. Stonehenge tours from London are a perfect choice for those who are particularly deeply captivated by ambiguous, inscrutable Stonehenge, as such Stonehenge tours give you the ultimate experience.

For all your Stonehenge Tour requirements visit:
The Stonehenge Tour Companywww.StonehengeTours.com
Providing guided tours of Stonehenge since 1995

Stonehenge has become the most visited paid-for tourist attraction in the south west of England.

Figures from tourist board Visit England show the iconic Neolithic monument had more visitors last year than the Eden Project in Cornwall, the first time Stonehenge has surpassed the Cornish attraction since it opened in 2001.

In 2010 more than a million people visited the stone circle, which is up 1.9 per cent on the previous year, but overall the figures showed paid-for attractions suffered a decline of one per cent.

David Andrews, chief executive of Visit Wiltshire, said: “Stonehenge is a fabulous site and we’re extremely lucky to have it in the county.”

Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge at English Heritage, said: “Last year for the first time ever, Stonehenge attracted over a million visitors. We are delighted at its success.

“Visitors continue to be intrigued by these ancient stones and recent archaeological research undertaken within the World Heritage Site has helped to fuel this fascination.

This rise in visitors is also due to more overseas holiday makers, who are attracted to England by the favourable exchange rates and wish to see the UK’s premier prehistoric monument.”

Visit England surveyed 1,082 non-charging and paid-for tourist attractions and the British Museum was top with 5.8 million visitors last year.

Why not visit Stonehenge before the crowds arrive on one of our ‘Stonehenge Private Access’ Tours.  These must be booked in advance.

The Stonehenge Tour company
www.StonehengeTours.com

Thirteen kilometres north of Salisbury at the A303 roundabout, I motor west and 1.6 kilometres past the roundabout, there it is — looming in all its gargantuan glory for us to try to apprehend on a typically overcast afternoon in England.
Stonehenge Stone Circle, Wiltshire

The same country that produced the Rolling Stones provides us with stones of a much more stable nature, fixed in place for centuries; albeit these stones were actually moved some distance. Stonehenge, a 5,000-year-old stone circle puzzle, is the most famous prehistoric site in Europe. I park the car, amazed at how this mammoth entity suddenly manifests itself amidst the English plain.

And for what purpose?

Theories include an astronomical observatory, religious site, burial locale and a healing centre akin to that of Lourdes. Unfortunately, Stonehenge was created by those who left no written records; thus, many aspects remain subject to debate. Whatever its purpose, the precise design does include an observatory function. The two inner horseshoes are aligned along the rising and setting of the sun at the midsummer and midwinter solstices. Accordingly, the configuration allows for accurate predictions of eclipse, solstice, equinox and other celestial events.

These granite stones, some of which weigh as much as four tons, were reportedly dragged all the way from Marlborough Downs (North Wessex) and South Wales, 400 kilometres away! Erected in pairs, each is topped by an equally huge stone lintel. Within the inner circles stand two horseshoe-shaped arrangements, one within the other, and at the centre lies what is known as the Altar Stone. Further stones are to be found here and there within the site, which is surrounded by barrow mounds.

Years earlier, there was relatively easy access to the site, but that has changed. The stones can still be seen from the main car park, and can be viewed quite clearly from the roadside. Unlike the other monuments in the area, however, it’s necessary now to pay for an up close look. An entry fee of £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children includes an audio guide and takes you through a tunnel under the road to the site. Generally, there is no direct access to the stone circle itself; visitors are guided around the monument by roped pathways and on-site attendants. The audio guide is available in several languages and lasts approximately 45 minutes. English Heritage and some tour operators from Salisbury can arrange early morning or evening visits that allow you to walk amidst the stones.

There are also daily tours of Stonehenge from London by coach.
Visit our website: http://www.StonehengeTours.com

From about 2500 B.C., Neolithic and Bronze Age man started to amass the Bluestones and Sarsen stones from Wales and the Marlborough Downs. It was not until 1600 BC that the complete structure of Stonehenge was finished. Most of the other monuments in the area, such as Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, date from the same period.

If you go

If you wish to play amateur Druid and check out Stonehenge during an actual solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day and shortest night of the year occur at the beginning of summer around June 20 or 21 when the sun is directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer. At winter solstice, about Dec. 22, the sun is overhead at noon at the Tropic of Capricorn and this marks the beginning of winter.

A nearby hill fort was built during the Iron Age, and there is evidence to suggest that the area was extensively settled by the Romans. The nearby town of Amesbury was later settled during the Saxon reign in 979 AD.

If you enjoy books the size and scope of War and Peace, to better understand Stonehenge try reading Sarum, historical fiction by Edward Rutherfurd which I have almost finished. Sarum, in the southwestern part of England, is the location of the ancient cathedral city, Salisbury, and a close neighbour of Stonehenge. Rutherfurd was born there, so he knows the place well, and in his first novel, he delves into Sarum’s pre-history to follow five families through the centuries in epic style reminiscent of James Michener.

Stonehenge is a World Heritage site. I’m not given to Druid superstitions and strange dreams about ritual sacrifice, but it gives me a weird sensation each time that I see it.

Mike Keenan is a Niagara-on- the-Lake based writer. Contact him at www.whattravelwriterssay.com

The Stonehenge Tour Company – Operating guided tours of Stonehenge since 1995
The Stonehenge Tour Company – www.StonehengeTours.com

Though the Druids undoubtedly existed, their place in our history is now

Druids at Stonehenge

Druids at Stonehenge

more legendary than factual, as so few records or artefacts exist to throw light on who they were and what they did. The Romans , who regarded them as enemies of the Roman state and who were horrified by the human sacrifices supposedly made by the Druids, attempted to wipe them out. The Christians too attacked them for their obviously non-Christian beliefs – one of the few things we can be truly sure about the Druids is that they held certain oak and hazel groves sacred, as both Romans and Christians were at pains to chop them down and burn the wood.

From the Roman and Greek sources, however, we can be fairly sure of a few basic facts about the Druids and their place in Celtic life (across Gaul and beyond as well as in Britain).

First and foremost they were a class, although not a hereditary class but one open to those of ability willing to undergo a long training period – perhaps as long as 20 years. They formed a learned class within the Celtic people, a mixture of judge, scholar, counsellor, doctor, diplomat and priest in one. Part of their demise has been put down by some writers as due to the antipathy of tribal chiefs and regional kings whose power would be lessened by the influence of Druids, said to have the right to speak before them in tribal gatherings, and able to intervene in and stop conflicts of which they did not approve.
It seems that as well as oak and hazel, mistletoe played a part in their worship practises, as did reverence for sacred sites such as hills and rivers, and fire. Theirs was a polytheistic religion. From the Romans we can be fairly sure they used sacrifice in their worship, and possibly in divination, these sacrifices being both animal and human – tales of blood gushing from hearts stabbed with sacred daggers if not strictly true still make interesting reading.

The training of a Druid was lengthy, and in all likelihood carried out away from prying eyes, or more significantly eavesdropping ears – much of it was concerned with learning sacred verses by heart.

Although some aspects of Druidism may have survived into medieval times and even beyond – the bardic culture of Wales is surely linked in some ways – as a power they were to a great extent finished by the Roman attack on Anglesey in AD61 (an attack that Boudicca took advantage of, rebelling in the East while the Romans were engaged in Wales).

Modern Druidism is a mixture of surmise, romantic imagination, and the gathered misconceptions of writers from recent centuries, a creative version of something about which few facts remain, or more kindly a sincere religious faith to which the perhaps ill-fitting label Druidism has been attached. This ‘creativity’ is perhaps seen most clearly in the use of Stonehenge , which long predates Druidism, as a sacred site for some Neo-Druids.

Stonehenge Tour Guide
The Stonehenge Tour Company – www.StonehengeTours.com
(Operating tours of Stonehenge since 1995 – The original and still the best! )

 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

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.

Stoneheneg Tour Company

 

 

The Stonehenge Tour Company
Operating Stonehenge Tours since 1995

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′
Stonehenge summer solstice tours

LINKS: http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/stonehenge/2011/

http://blog.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/2011/04/27/stonehenge-summer-solstice-celebrations-2011-june-20th-june-21st/

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/explore/summer-solstice-2011/:

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

TWITTER: Follow Stonehenge on twitter.  Get all the latest news and Solstice uddates – http://twitter.com/ST0NEHENGE

FACEBOOK: Join Stonehenge on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stonehenge.tours

See you all at the Summer Solstice, yipee……………..

Stonehenge Tour Guide
http://www.StonehengeTours.com

Stonehenge special access tours
Our driver/guides are amongst the best Stonehenge experts in Britain. If you are looking for inner circle access, why not charter one of our luxury vehicles to collect you from your accommodation. 

How Stonehenge Special Access works.

English Heritage is the organisation which is responsible for managing

Stonehenge inner circle tour

Stonehenge inner circle tour

visitor access to Stonehenge. All special access slots, be they booked through agents, tour operators or directly are allocated by English Heritage. It is not possible to have special access to Stonehenge during normal opening hours and such visits have to me made either very early in the morning or in the early evening. English Heritage for very good reasons place tough restrictions on the maximum number of people that can use the special access during any slot and this number is 26 people (beware of travelling on a large coach group, as you may find that the hour that you have paid for is split into 2  X 30 minute slots). A Slot lasts for 1 hour and unless you have booked your own guide,  there will be no guiding provided by English Heritage and you cannot use the regular audio guides that are available during  the regular access times. For more information on booking special access slots visit the English Heritage website.

After you have found your slot, all you need to then is organise  your transportation and tour guide and this is where we can really help. We employ the very best driver guides available, who are considered to be experts on Stonehenge and the wider area. This means we can offer you a full tour covering Stonehenge and other places (such as Salisbury, Avebury  or Bath). This means you can make the most of your day out rather than just having 30 minutes or an hour at Stonehenge. When booking your Stonehenge special access with English Heritage, please remember to book 1 additional place for your driver/guide so that we can help unfold the mystery!

Best practice for securing a Stonehenge Special Access Tour

Contact English Heritage at: stonecircleaccess@english-heritage.org.uk or by calling 0044 (0)1722 34 38 30 (Mon-Fri 9-5pm GMT)
When you have found which slots are available, contact us:
Neeless to say we are happy to make arrangements for you.

The Stonehenge Tour Company
www.StonehengeTours.com
stonehengetours@allstarleisure.net

 

DAY TOUR “5000 Years in a Day Tour
* Stonehenge * Salisbury Cathedral * Avebury * Medieval Village and Stone circle * Old Sarum Castle *

Magnificent Salisbury Cathedral with the tallest spire in England and medieval town, home to the original Magna Carta. Visit awe inspiring Stonehenge over 5000 years old; Avebury, Europe’s largest stone circle; ancient burial tombs; Old Sarum, an ancient hillfort and one of Britain’s earliest settlements. See mysterious chalk hill figures and any crop circles en route. Click here for full itinerary

DAY TOUR “King Arthur Day Tour
*Stonehenge * King Arthur’s Avalon * Glastonbury Tor * Avebury Stone Circle * Chalice Well Gardens * Glastonbury Abbey *

Visit Glastonbury Abbey, the final resting place of King Arthur; the tranquil Chalice Well Gardens – the reputed burial site of the Holy Grail and drink the red and white spring waters. Enjoy spectacular views from the Isle of Avalon, see giant chalk hill figures and explore Stonehenge and Avebury the world’s largest stone circle. Click here for full itinerary

DAY TOUR “Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours 2011 “
*Go beyond the fences after the crowds have gone home*

We offer a unique opportunity to go beyond the fences and touch the stones. We have arranged with English Heritage for you to experience a unique visit to this ancient sacred site – beyond the fences & after the crowds have gone home. Walk amongst the stones & experience the magical atmosphere within the inner circle. “A once in a lifetime experience” – click here for 2011 dates

DAY TOUR “The Great Heritage Trail™ Tour
*Stonehenge * Georgian City of Bath * Jane Austen’s Lacock * The Cotswolds*

We savour the atmosphere and Golden beauty of Bath, famous for its Roman history and elegant Georgian architecture. We spend over 3 hours in this World Heritage city including a comprehensive guided tour to the Roman Baths and Pump rooms. Afterwards we take a scenic drive throurh the leafy lanes of the Cotswolds visiting Jane Austen’s Lacock and then Stonehenge Stone Circle- Click here for full itinerary

DAY TOUR “Stonehenge and Bath – Late Departure “
*Stonehenge * Georgian City of Bath *

Our late departure time gives you the chance to enjoy a late breakfast before we head off to Stonehenge. Visit Stonehenge and enjoy a unique tour of the Roman Baths with our own Roman Soldier! Click here for full itinerary

   
DAY TOUR “Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath and the Cotswolds Tour
*Stonehenge * Stratford-ipon-Avon * Bath *The Cotswolds*

Private tour of Shakespeares birthplace plus Champagne and Strawberry scones served in his garden! Click here for full itinerary

DAY TOUR “Romans, Royals and Ruins   
*Stonehenge * Georgian City of Bath * Windsor Castle *

Discover the secrets of Stonehenge and hear about the many myths, legends and mysteries associated with this awe inspiring ancient monument. Visit the Roman Baths and Museum – feel the heat of millions of gallons of naturally hot water that bubble up here every day. A scenic country drive along the ‘back roads’ takes us to Bath, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, beautiful crescents, terraces and squares. As we head back towards London we finish the day with a visit to Windsor castle. Home to the Royal Family for over 900 years Click here for full itinerary

The Stonehenge Toiur Company
www.StonehengeTours.com

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours

A unique experience

The Stonehenge Tour Company
www.StonehengeTours.com