** Please note that due to reduced daylight hours this tour only operates late March - late October. Our best selling signature tour - Stonehenge, Bath & a Secret Place crosses the southern Cotswolds and runs all year round to almost the same itinerary and takes in some beautiful countryside. See HERE **
Join our small group Stonehenge tour from London in 2024 to discover this mysterious prehistoric stone circle, standing proud on Salisbury Plain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, whose "how's", "what's" and "why's" are still being explored today. Stonehenge has been held sacred for centuries, as a place of spiritual importance for Pagans and Druids, who still celebrate it today. But what was it built for, and how? Come and share your theories, and learn what we already know from decades of research into who carried these stones as far as 150 miles, weighing up to 30 tons, and aligned them with perfect precision with the rising and setting sun of the summer and winter solstices. It's a remarkable feat of ancient engineering, and has to be seen to be believed!
England's most beautiful city? With stunning Georgian architecture and a history stretching back 3000 years, it's clear to see why Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City, well worth a visit on any trip to England.
We will see the best of Bath. Bath's finest streets - including the famous Royal Crescent - resplendent in their glorious Georgian style, before you have the chance to explore the centre on foot (armed with a map and some recommendations from your guide). Visit Bath Abbey with its impressive vaulted ceiling, or explore the Roman Baths museum (entry optional), stroll along the beautiful River Avon with view of the majestic Pulteney Bridge or just soak in the atmosphere of one of England's most sophisticated cities. Join us on a walking tour to learn more about the history and culture of Bath, and perhaps have a taste of the spring water. Appreciate the city that inspired Jane Austen & Dickens and see why Bath has been one of the most popular destinations for the upper classes for hundreds of years.
Dating back to the 13th century and once a weaving town, the village sits in the lush green valley of the River Bybrook. Only accessible on some of the local backroads, no big bus tours of the Cotswolds from London can visit so we will certainly be avoiding the crowds. Lined with characterful old houses and cottages built in the rich brown local Cotswolds stone, enjoy the peace and tranquillity and opportunity to take some beautiful photographs depicting typical Cotswolds life. Wander down the quiet main street, take a look inside the 13th century St Andrew's Church, perhaps buy some of the homemade cakes and sweets locals sell from outside their homes, Castle Combe is a must visit on any tour of the southern Cotswolds from London.
** Please note that due to reduced daylight hours this tour only operates late March - late October. Our best selling signature tour - Stonehenge, Bath & a Secret Place crosses the southern Cotswolds and runs all year round to almost the same itinerary and takes in some beautiful countryside. See https://theenglishbus.com/tour/bath-stonehenge-and-a-secret-place **
Our first pick up is on the corner of Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street, SE1 7PB. This is the bus pick up and drop off point for the London Eye (see departure point page here) This is in the Waterloo area and a short walk from both Waterloo and Westminster Stations. Your bus and guide will normally arrive 5-10 minutes before departure. Look out for a small white Mercedes Benz bus with “The English Bus” written on the side. A prompt departure is essential so please arrive in plenty of time.
Outside the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Victoria, at 2 Bridge Place, SW1V 1QA (see departure point page here) This is a very short walk from Victoria Station. Take exit 1 from the main railway station and turn right. Please be waiting outside the hotel, we will stop to pick you up as close to the hotel entrance as we can.
After we have picked everyone up, and you are sat comfortably, your driver/guide will introduce themselves, and explain the plan for your day. Your guide will provide full commentary on our interesting route out of London, passing some major landmarks on our way. We will make a quick bathroom/coffee/snack stop on request - you are more than welcome to eat and drink on the bus as we travel
Our first stop is the magnificent prehistoric site of Stonehenge. Dating back over 5000 years, this is likely to be the oldest man made site that you will ever visit in your lifetime.
Before your arrival, your guide will discuss some of the facts & theories surrounding this world famous mysterious stone circle in preparation for our arrival, so you have a good understanding of what you’re seeing.
There’ll be plenty of time to take some wonderful pictures, listen to the audio-guide and visit the gift shop, cafe and the new visitor centre. Your guide will be very interested to hear your thoughts, will answer questions about Stonehenge and tell you some of the more weird and wonderful stories you wouldn't otherwise have heard.
Following your visit to Stonehenge, we'll begin making our way through the countryside to the UNESCO world heritage city of Bath. We’ll drive through some quintessential English villages and take back roads to give you a taste of real rural England. You will get some fantastic views of the countryside. Your guide will point out traditional English houses and talk about English country life.
On arrival we’ll drop you off in Bath city centre with some recommendations of places to eat and drink and sights to see. Perhaps you might choose a typical English pub or cafe, or a quick and tasty pasty - a special type of local pie, perhaps washed down with a glass of famous local cider? Your guide will be on hand to advise what might be best for you. We'll also provide a handy map of Bath for you too.
After lunch your guide will offer you an optional guided walking tour of Bath, focusing on the history and highlights of the city, and the different incarnations of the baths through the ages - from the Celts, the Romans, the Georgians to the present day. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city that inspired Charles Dickens and Jane Austen at your leisure before a panoramic driving tour on our route out to show you Bath’s finest streets including the best of all - The Royal Crescent.
Leaving the beautiful city of Bath behind, we'll head north east through the rolling hills of Somerset. Passing through some more quintessential English villages and into the southern Cotswolds - probably England's best known area of countryside we'll arrive in Castle Combe - around 35 minutes after leaving the city of Bath.
** Please note that we may operate this tour in reverse and visit Castle Combe at the start of the day, after our visits to Stonehenge and Bath - this is dependant on traffic and Stonehenge operating hours. Either way we will still spend the same amount of time in the Cotswolds**
Meandering along some scenic tree and hedgerow lined back routes beyond Bath, we arrive in the stunning village of Castle Combe. Before our arrival, your guide will tell you all about the village and what there is to see and do, before we drop of off to explore on foot. Wander down the charming main street admiring the Cotswolds beauty, perhaps stop for a cup of tea and a scone, or a drink in one of the historic pubs. Visit Castle Combe's 13th century church and get some beautiful pictures of one of England's most beautiful villages.
Dependent on traffic, we’ll get back to London between approximately 8.00pm - 8.30pm. Your guide will plan the route into London based on where you all want to go, and will endeavour to get you as close as possible to your destination. If there is a more convenient point to depart the tour along our route through London then we can certainly make a stop for you. We will also always return to the areas you started the tour, if this is your best option. Speak with your guide so they can make sure you know exactly how to get to where you need to get to - they can advise where the best place to depart the tour would be.
We may alter the order of the day depending on traffic/weather/special events in order to maximise your enjoyment of the day. Due to shorter daylight hours in the Winter, this tour runs mid March - late October. Our Bath, Stonehenge and a Secret Place tour is available all year round however, and is not affected by the shorter daylight hours. See HERE for details.
Included
Not included
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