Stonehenge, Salisbury and Winchester Sightseeing Tours

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain

Stonehenge is the most famous and enigmatic Megalithic site in the United Kingdom. Dominating the landscape of Salisbury Plain in the county of Wiltshire, the giant standing stones - weighing up to 50 tonnes - are a mysterious icon left by mysterious ancient peoples.

The true significance of the site is unknown but there are many theories, some feasible and some rather outlandish - a structure built by aliens being one theory put forward. A ceremonial temple; astronomical observatory for mapping out the Heavens to build a calendar; or burial place created by King Arthur are among other ideas and legends.

Stonehenge was developed in stages over a 5,000 year period with the axis of the site being aligned to sunrise on the summer solstice. Part of a greater array of prehistoric sites spreading across the whole country, the great circle is sited on the convergence of ley lines, mystical straight lines of earth energy, an idea propose by Alfred Watkins in the 1920s. Stonehenge seems to have been in continuous use from about 3100BC to 1100BC and even today is a important place of ritual for Druids. The larger stones are known as sarson stones which is a type of sandstone mined from the Marlborough Downs 20 miles to the north Just as incredible is the place of origin for some of the smaller bluestone pillars - Prescelly in South West Wales, 100 miles away! The engineering skills of the builders must have been far more advanced than most would like to admit today - you may come up with an idea as to how the massive stone lintels were put into place.

Our most popular tour begins with a visit to the historic town of Marlborough, then on to the famous stone circle of Avebury, a view of the prehistoric site at Silbury Hill, through the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire. If you are lucky you may spot a crop circle, which appear 'as if by magic' in the fields of England's enchanting West Country.

Marlborough

Marlborough is situated in the UK# between the towns of Hungerford and Calne on the old coaching route midway between London and Bristol. The Marlborough area is steeped in history from Neolithic times onwards and makes a perfect base from which to explore the beautiful County of Wiltshire.The beautiful historic village of Marlborough was established on the old coaching route midway between Bristol and London. The village has recently celebrated its 800th anniversary. The High Street boasts a prime example of a merchant's house built after the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653.

Avebury Stone Circle & Silbury Hill

Also sited on ley lines is the Neolithic stone circle at Avebury. This esoteric area is situated about 6 miles west of Marlborough and 20 miles north of Stonehenge, and appears to be at the centre of a large scattering of ritual sites including Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, Wayland's Smithy, Windmill Hill encampment of later barrows and the now mostly demolished Sanctuary stone circle at Overton Hill. (A barrow is an ancient burial mound). Various 'avenues' lead from Avebury to a number of these mystical places, many of which are marked by giant stones.The first thing that will strike you is the shere size of the circle which partially encloses the village of Avebury. The outer circle is an impressive 421 metres in diameter and is surrounded by a ditch and bank which is just short of a mile in circumference. The ditch was originally thought to contain water. There are two inner circles to the main henge (north and south) which are thought to represent the male and female aspects to the site.

During your tour of the wonders of Wiltshire you will not be able to escape the imposing view of Silbury Hill, the largest man made mound in Europe. The site covers an amazing 5 acres and reaches a height of 130 feet. Built around 2500BC it is not quite clear as to original purpose. Perhaps a burial monument to King Sil or an alternate story tells of a cobbler outwitting the Devil to dump a load of earth at the site instead of upon Marlborough.

Salisbury

Salisbury Cathedral

Close by is Salisbury, a beautiful medieval city. See the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. Built between 1220 and 1280, the Cathedral still holds one of the original copies of Magna Carta.

Bath or Winchester

The finishing touch to our Stonehenge tour is a visit to either:

Bath - a spectacular Roman city containing England's best Roman remains and is the country's most perfect example of an 18th century town, whose Georgian streets hold many outstanding features.

Left to right: The Royal Crescent; Bath Abbey; Pultney Bridge

See the Royal Crescent, built between 1767-75; the Roman hot springs (still in use today); Roman baths complete with pump rooms ( which you can visit) and some of the finest architecture in England, including a beautiful Cathedral.
(This tour can only be undertaken at certain times of the year in conjunction with Stonehenge - please ask for details).

Winchester - once capital of England with it's fine Norman Cathedral, ancient school and quaint streets that wind their way up to the castle where it is commonly thought King Arthur's Round Table can be seen. Winchester is the ideal place for a cup of tea and a scone.