Home » Europe » England » Stonehenge & Avebury » Stonehenge & Cotswolds Day Trip
- Last Updated on March 1, 2024
Stonehenge is one of the great wonders of the world and on many travelers’ bucket lists. It is amazing to see, and it leaves a lot of unanswered questions about how it was created and why. It is definitely worth a visit. That being said, it is not that easy to get to and can be a bit underwhelming compared to the effort of getting there. This is why we recommend combining Stonehenge with a visit to the Cotswolds to get the most out of your day trip. The easiest way to do this is with a minibus tour, but you could also rent a car and drive to the sights on your own.
Table Of Contents - Stonehenge & Cotswolds Day Trip
STAR RATING KEY:
★★★ Top priority
★★ Highly recommended
★ Worthwhile
No Star – Skippable if not interested
Itinerary
Stonehenge & The Cotswolds Day Trip
Stonehenge
This is the main stop on this itinerary. Arrive early before the crowds – this is key. If you take the minibus tour, your tickets are reserved in advance and picked up by the tour guide. If you drive yourself, make sure to get in line immediately on arrival to avoid a long queue. Head out to the site right away to get your photos in before it gets packed. There is a Stonehenge app with free audioguide, which you should download to your phone the night before. You can find it on the App Store. After you’re finished at the site, head back to the museum and learn about the artifacts found there and how archeologists believe the site was constructed.
Cost and Hours: £20 per person, not included in minibus tour price.
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Address: Salisbury SP4 7DE.
Avebury Stone Circle
This is a large stone circle, much larger than Stonehenge. It is a completely different experience from Stonehenge, as there are hardly any tourists, and you (and about 50 sheep) can walk freely among the stones. The magic of this place is not only the stones, but also the cute town with its thatched roof pub and adorable houses. Thatched roofs are traditional for this area and something most travelers have never seen before. If you come across a gate, know that it is only there to contain the sheep. Just walk through and make sure it shuts behind you.
Lacock National Trust Village
This entire town on the edge of the Cotswolds is owned by the National Trust and thus remains preserved and unaffected by mass tourism. The town is so perfectly preserved and adorable it feels like walking onto a film set. That’s probably why numerous movies and shows have been filmed here, including Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Pride and Prejudice. If you go with the minibus tour, the guide will show you around the film locations when you arrive before he leaves you to wander on your own for a bit.
Cost and Hours: Free.
Address: Lacock, Chippenham, UK.
Castle Combe Village
This is the only village that is technically within the officially designated area of the Cotswolds, thus has a bit of a different look to it – more stone roofs, less thatching. It is absolutely gorgeous, tiny, and perfectly picturesque. Not many tourists make it out to this tiny place with almost no parking, so it doesn’t tend to get crowded. The tourist experience here mostly consists of wandering the streets and taking in the charm. Make sure you walk from the center of town all the way to the Manor House for the best scenery. Like the rest of the area, if you come across a gate on the sidewalk, don’t let that stop you – just open it and walk through
Cost and Hours: Free.
Address: Castle Combe, Chippenham.
Logistics
Day Trip From Bath
This itinerary is ideally done as a day trip from Bath. We personally took a tour with the above itinerary and loved every minute. It is a small group tour with a max of 10 guests allowed, and the guides are knowledgeable and fun. It is well worth the cost of $80 per person. Book this tour here.
Day Trip From London
If you are set on doing Stonehenge as a minibus day trip from London, there are many options for you, though they won’t have the same itinerary as above. Click here to see options from London.
Practical Info
SKIP AVEBURY IF YOU HAVE TIME FOR ONLY THREE OF THE STOPS ABOVE.
You’ll be missing the only chance you’ll probably ever have to roam with the sheep among ancient stones, but the other stops are too good to miss.
MORE COTSWOLDS DAY TRIPS FROM BATH
If you love the Cotswolds and are craving more, the same tour company that runs this itinerary also offers a full-day Cotswolds experience that is worth your time. Click here for details.
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