RE: What to do after Stonehenge

[blrabbit]

We are going to Stonehenge from London (07:00) before drop off at Southampton cruise terminal on 5/10. I was thinking going by Salisbury Cathedral on the way to Southampton. Is there anything else to see beside those 2 places within our time frame (boarding @ 15:00 & sail @ 16:30)?

Thanks,

Bob :)

[4774Papa]

We are going to Stonehenge from London (07:00) before drop off at Southampton cruise terminal on 5/10. I was thinking going by Salisbury Cathedral on the way to Southampton. Is there anything else to see beside those 2 places within our time frame (boarding @ 15:00 & sail @ 16:30)?

Thanks,

Bob :)

 

Bob,

Salisbury would be a great choice, we did that in conjunction with Stonehenge a couple of years ago. We also visited Stone Circle in Avebury about 30 miles north of Stonehenge, which was nice.

 

Another choice if you have time is before Stonehenge stop at Windsor Castle.

[Hatters cruiser]

Old Sarum hill fort on the outskirts of Salisbury is an interesting place, it was occupied when Stonehenge was built, and later had Roman occupation, and in the Middle Ages a Castle and Cathedral built atop it.

 

There are other sites like Avebury stone circle, where you an get close enough to touch the ancient stones themselves, as 4774Papa suggests.

[John Bull]

Hi Bob,

 

Stonehenge is about 2 to 2.5 hrs from central London (are we talking a central London hotel rather than one of London's airports?) and unlikely to open before 9.30.

 

Fitting in one of a number of places I can think of between London & Stonehenge won't work out because of opening hours, and routes other than the fast motorway away from London are mainly urban, slow & not particularly attractive. A drive-by of Windsor castle isn't far off-route but IMHO hardly worth it for a photo-stop - you'd need to choose Windsor instead of Stonehenge.Salisbury.

 

Stonehenge & its visitor centre are worth 1 to 1.5 hrs, the drive to Salisbury about 20-30 minutes, the cathedral is worth at an hour, and the drive from Salisbury to Southampton is about 40 minutes (but allow an hour at the very least in case of delays).

So you've got no more than about 90 minutes to spare.

 

Get your driver to go Stonehenge - Salisbury via the Woodfords (villages along the River Avon) rather than the main road, it takes no more than five or ten minutes longer.

 

Whichever of those routes you take, you pass Old Sarum at the city limit. It's an ancient hill fort, mainly earthworks, and was the local capital until New Sarum (Salisbury) was born a few thousand years ago. Well worth 30 to 45 minutes if the weather's dry, but if it's wet there's little or no shelter.

 

The city of Salisbury is compact, attractive, laid-back and historic. It's worth an hour or so, & the cathedral is only a five minute walk from the historic centre.

 

If time permits, then get your driver to go Salisbury - Southampton via Downton or Fordingbridge & across a corner of the New Forest to Cadnam or Nomansland, instead of the main A36. Mostly open heathland with good distant views, "wild" New Forest ponies, pigs, etc. It adds about 10 minutes to the driving time.

 

So that's more than enough to fill your time-scale.

 

Alternatively, if you want to get to Southampton earlier there's the little Solent Sky museum and/or minor sights in old town such as Tudor Merchant's House, God's Tower, Medieval Merchant's House, Westgate Hall, the Bar Gate & the city walls. You could drop your bags at your cruise terminal, get your driver to drop you at one of those places & go back to the cruise terminal on foot or by taxi depending where you end up & which terminal.

 

All these places by private transfer only, & it'll be a lot more expensive than a simple hotel to terminal transfer. Try http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com

Salisbury & Stonehenge is possible by train from London to Salisbury, stow luggage at Black Cat pub by the station, ho-ho from station to Stonehenge & back to cathedral, back to station, collect luggage, train to Southampton, taxi to cruise terminal. Works OK if you have no time limitations (eg ending at a Southampton or Salisbury hotel), but I rate it too fraught for a sailing day.

 

You are strongly advised to pre-purchase timed tickets for Stonehenge. In your circumstances figuring what time to book is easy - it's the opening time (not fixed yet for next summer but very probably 9.30 & certainly no more than a half-hour different)

 

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/?gclid=CKzQh_LJ5ckCFda4GwodmKkGDw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/?gclid=CLbFkbfK5ckCFQEFwwod6cALIg&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

 

http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/

 

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/visit

 

http://www.solentskymuseum.org/

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/live_information/shipping_movements_and_cruise_ship_schedule/cruise_ship_schedule/

 

JB :)

[blrabbit]

I have already booked with Smiths for airports for all my transfers & tours. We arriving on 5/6 will go to Harry Potter tour & Windsor castle before off to Grand Plaza Serviced Apt.; on 9/10 will be Stonehenge & Salisbury (get on the route you have suggest). :D

Thanks for the info,

Bob :)

[Cotswold Eagle]

If you have the time, you can follow the old pilgrims’ way to Canterbury.:)

 

Not a fantastically convenient route to Southampton, though :)

[Underwatr]

For a 16:30 sailing you should plan to arrive in Southampton earlier than 15:00.

[dr__dawggy]

IMO Winchester could be a good alternative to Salisbury, the main landmarks being the spectacular Winchester cathedral and a Norman castle. If you have the time, you can follow the old pilgrims’ way to Canterbury.:)

 

Curse you. Now I can't get the song out of my head. :)

[John Bull]

Just to clarify DennStann's mention of the Pilgrim's Way.

 

This is an ancient walking route between Winchester cathedral and Canterbury cathedral, a distance of about 134 miles. Includes some glorious countryside such as the Hampshire Downs, the Surrey Hills and the North Weald of Kent.

But hardly a proposition for one day, even if you're a Marathon runner & not schlepping cruise luggage ;)

And not really a proposition to walk even a mile or two of it near Winchester when there's so much else to see and do.

 

Winchester cathedral is one of the oldest in the country (11th Century) with an interesting history. In the early years of the 20th century, a deep-sea diver complete with diving suit and big copper helmet spent yours underneath it propping up the place with new foundations (from 5.45 on

)

The city centre also has a lot of olde-England charm.

But of Winchester Castle, only the Great Hall survives - the rest of it disappeared over the centuries. When locals talk of "the Castle" they're talking about the name of the county council offices adjacent, a rather ugly office building.

Winchester is a worthwhile destination for someone with half a day or more to spend, only 15 minutes from Southampton by train or a little longer by bus.

 

JB :)

[happymom]

We are staying in Newbury. Would a driveby of Highclere, a visit to Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Winchester be too ambitious for one day.

Edited February 1, 2016 by happymom

[John Bull]

We are staying in Newbury. Would a driveby of Highclere, a visit to Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Winchester be too ambitious for one day.

 

You can't drive-by Highclere, it can't be seen from the road and I'm pretty certain that the little lanes & tracks are private. Since you're so close you could be cheeky & try to drive in & back out, but I don't know whether the gates are controlled.

 

Quite what you can fit in depends to some extent on the date.

English Heritage still haven't updated their website with Stonehenge opening times, but I've given them an ear-bashing about that and, duly chastised, they've told me the times.

They correspond with the lighter summer evenings.

Last admission is two hours before closing, so add two hours to these times, though 90 minutes is plenty for most folk.

21st March to 31st May, last admission 5pm

June thro August, last admission 6pm

1st Sept to 15 October, last admission 5pm.

After that, 3pm.

Closed on the afternoon of 20th June & all day 21st, due to the summer solstice.

 

Salisbury & Winchester are both dead by about 5 - 5.30pm, so to get best value out of your day make Stonehenge your last port-of-call.

You are very strongly advised to pre-book a timed slot for Stonehenge - roll up ticketless & you may be turned away, particularly on popular days.

 

If you foul-up, you can still drive-by Stonehenge on the A303 - even if only to tick it off the bucket-list.

 

You'd still be very hard-pressed to tour Highclere and visit Winchester, Salisbury & Stonehenge in the day.

 

So I suggest you call in at Highclere first.

 

If you're booted out (actually, they're very refined, no boots involved ;)), head for Winchester next. Very easy, straight down the A34.

Parking in Winchester can be a pain, but there 's a multi-storey carpark near the station, and a couple of out-of-town park-and-rides. Main focus is on the cathedral and nearby Broadway (no show-girls :(, just a statue of King Alfred).

 

Then cross-country to Salisbury via Stockbridge and the Wallops, rather than the boring main road loop.

 

But if you end up touring Highclere, perhaps bin Winchester & head straight for Salisbury. Cross-country via Hurstbourne Tarrant and Andover is more attractive and less than ten minutes longer than the fast but boring A34.

Easiest guaranteed parking without trawling Salisbury's complicated one-way streets is the big car & coach park at Mill Stream Approach, off Castle Street. Then it's a pleasant riverside walk to the city centre at Blue Boar Row, and the cathedral just beyond. Worth 90 minutes to 2 hours.

 

Then out of Salisbury on Castle Road (that's Road, not Street this time), past Old Sarum. Mebbe take the little valley lane on your left just past Old Sarum & go through Lower Woodford & Lake, to Stonehenge.

 

Google some of those names you've not heard before.

 

There are prettier ways back to Newbury from Stonehenge, but simplest is the A303 east to beyond Andover, then north on the A34.

 

Including Winchester a total driving time upwards of two & a half hours, excluding Winchester more like 2 hours.

Edited February 1, 2016 by John Bull

[happymom]

Thanks for the great information. Do you want to organize our vacation for us.:)I'm terrible at this. I just found out the day we leave Newbury is a Banking Holiday (Monday)so that probably means more people so we may not get as much done as we hoped. The following day we would like to go to Dover and then we need to be in Newcastle by Friday afternoon. Any suggestions for the rest of the week. We want scenic drives avoiding London this time around. Thanks for anyones ideas.:)

[John Bull]

Thanks for the great information. Do you want to organize our vacation for us.:)I'm terrible at this. I just found out the day we leave Newbury is a Banking Holiday (Monday)so that probably means more people so we may not get as much done as we hoped. The following day we would like to go to Dover and then we need to be in Newcastle by Friday afternoon. Any suggestions for the rest of the week. We want scenic drives avoiding London this time around. Thanks for anyones ideas.:)

 

 

I was a tour coach driver and I'd happily organise that first part, cos it's attractive and easy :)

But the rest of the week - well that's a different matter.

 

On the Bank Holiday monday pm, avoid roads leading toward London (including southbound on the A34 from Oxford to Newbury) as the lemmings head home to the big bad city. Apart from that, and seaside resorts & places of interest being busy, it won't be too bad. :)

 

I'm guessing you have personal reasons for Dover & Newcastle.

Cos they're off the tourist trail and more difficult to advise on.

 

Simplest & quickest from Newbury to Dover is cross country to join the M3 northbound at Basingstoke, M25 London orbital, M26 link road & M20 to Dover, It's all motorway, very simple but stressful in heavy traffic (mainly the M25) and boring but quick in light traffic (the last part, M26 & M20).

144 miles, theoretically about 2.5 hours but potentially add another hour or more if it's the Tuesday - or much longer if its the Monday unless you get off to a very early start.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Newbury,+West+Berkshire/Dover,+Kent,+UK/@51.300025,-0.5656632,9z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x487402002f595ba9:0xc6646baff4a75c50!2m2!1d-1.3231139!2d51.401409!3m4!1m2!1d-1.1428148!2d51.2833615!3s0x48741f6f54151a39:0x7c67dec64ba68be5!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dea4d1553332ff:0x32785c875ad74851!2m2!1d1.3134027!2d51.1278758!3e0

 

The problem with more scenic options is that you're mainly in the London commuter belt - main roads radiate from London, inside the M25 orbital you're almost constantly in town & suburban traffic so avoid at all costs, & outside that orbital the roads are slow & convoluted. Best cross-country would probably be via Winchester and the slow A272 past Petersfield, Petworth, Midhurst, Haywards Heath, then either up to Royal Tunbridge Wells to join the M20 near Maidstone, or continue cross-country thro' Heathfield to join the M20 at Ashford. Some pretty stretches and historic towns & villages, but pushes the journey time up to 4 to 4.5 hours for little more mileage. But particularly worth considering if it's the Monday.

For instance:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Newbury,+West+Berkshire/Dover,+Kent,+UK/@51.0579934,-0.4439552,9z/data=!4m34!4m33!1m25!1m1!1s0x487402002f595ba9:0xc6646baff4a75c50!2m2!1d-1.3231139!2d51.401409!3m4!1m2!1d-0.9367224!2d51.011769!3s0x48743806d2b961a1:0x354e18b40392903d!3m4!1m2!1d-0.6165639!2d50.9874417!3s0x4875b647cc73f185:0x60ba6574fe26e88d!3m4!1m2!1d-0.0566023!2d50.9921677!3s0x48758b2295fda607:0x1195933b0496c1e1!3m4!1m2!1d0.2317967!2d50.9734433!3s0x47df69ab1ef0999d:0x5136eccd1874eb62!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dea4d1553332ff:0x32785c875ad74851!2m2!1d1.3134027!2d51.1278758!3e0

 

Or, unless it's the Monday, I suggest a good old British compromise by taking that cross-country route past Midhurst and as far as Bolney, then up the A25 past Crawley and Gatwick airport to join the M25 beyond its usual jams. Yes, I know it looks a lot further but goggle has it at 3hrs 37 due to the faster roads :

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Newbury,+West+Berkshire/Dover,+Kent,+UK/@50.9841345,-0.7337195,9z/data=!4m29!4m28!1m20!1m1!1s0x487402002f595ba9:0xc6646baff4a75c50!2m2!1d-1.3231139!2d51.401409!3m4!1m2!1d-0.9367224!2d51.011769!3s0x48743806d2b961a1:0x354e18b40392903d!3m4!1m2!1d-0.6165639!2d50.9874417!3s0x4875b647cc73f185:0x60ba6574fe26e88d!3m4!1m2!1d-0.1975153!2d50.9890984!3s0x4875929775c0a8b7:0x33a41e814158e701!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dea4d1553332ff:0x32785c875ad74851!2m2!1d1.3134027!2d51.1278758!3e0

 

There are a few places of interest on the way depending on the route you take. For instance Petworth House, Hever Castle, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Leeds Castle (near Maidstone), and off-route Canterbury. Not forgetting Dover castle which as far as I'm concerned beats them all hands-down.

 

Dover to Newcastle you'll have what, two / three days?

Using the motorways and the Dartford Crossing (the M25 orbital crossing the Thames estuary east of London) it's about 6 hours. All of it pretty boring.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Dover,+Kent,+UK/Newcastle+upon+Tyne/@53.0134129,-2.4198428,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x47dea4d1553332ff:0x32785c875ad74851!2m2!1d1.3134027!2d51.1278758!1m5!1m1!1s0x487d857e0c6f64cd:0xbe252b072a76191!2m2!1d-1.61778!2d54.978252!3e0

The first half of the journey isn't scenic, best to stick to the motorways & get some distance under your belts, though depending on your route there are a few places to visit such as Bletchley Park, the Shuttleworth historic aircraft collection at Duxford, or the university city of Cambridge.

Further north the Derbyshire Peak District (about 4.5 hrs from Dover) is very scenic. I or others can suggest a route through the Peak District, and an overnite there would be good.

Then perhaps a short hop, no more than a couple of hours, across to the historic city of York with its magnificent minster, the Shambles etc.

York being only 90 minutes from Newcastle by the quickest route, you could meander that day via the North Yorkshire moors and the fishing port of Whitby, or the Yorkshire Dales.

 

Or, if you have at least three days & preferably four for Dover to Newcastle, from the Peak District you could head up the west coast to the Lake District before crossing back to Newcastle.

Something vaguely like:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.1229198,1.3136399/54.9697429,-1.6078746/@52.5548198,-1.699302,7z/data=!4m29!4m28!1m25!3m4!1m2!1d-1.7736536!2d53.2841351!3s0x487a2e869d3d43bf:0x451cf13604bc764b!3m4!1m2!1d-2.2736482!2d54.120885!3s0x487c77032b0f0c4f:0xd7c35dcd7534d94f!3m4!1m2!1d-3.165081!2d54.4058546!3s0x487cc78d65025475:0xcad0b5bf44e7447f!3m4!1m2!1d-3.1597478!2d54.5112967!3s0x487cc4456e17eda1:0x7b42c188f4e1d5c0!3m4!1m2!1d-2.9410902!2d54.5653449!3s0x487ce89917ab3d31:0x894602db72944ef5!1m0!3e0

 

Check out those places & routes, figure what time you have, & see what others have to say on this thread.

Lots of options, & of course different folk different opinions.

 

JB :)

[John Bull]

Ooooops, my bad.:o

 

".............Then perhaps a short hop, no more than a couple of hours, across to the historic city of York with its magnificent minster, the Shambles etc.

Meant to include at this point ..... and overnite in York.

York being only 90 minutes from Newcastle by the quickest route, you could meander that day via the North Yorkshire moors and the fishing port of Whitby, or the Yorkshire Dales............"

 

JB :)

[happymom]

WOW:) Thanks .I'll spend some time looking at your thoughts sounds great to me.

Our daughter is in Newcastle but is working all week thus the slow cross country.

We really appreciate the time you spent on this.:):)

[Hatters cruiser]

Just one small point, to correct something on John Bulls last post the Shuttleworth aircraft collection is on display at Old Warden Areodrome in the middle of the Bedfordshire countryside. It has many vintage aircraft, including the worlds oldest still flying aircraft, a pre WWI Bleirot.

 

The Imperial War Museums Aircraft and large portions of its Tank Collection are held at Duxford, which also has a hall of US aircraft as during WWII it was a Bomber base for the Eighth Airforce. There are also civilian airliners such as Concorde there.

[John Bull]

Newcastle understood.

But is there any over-riding reason to include Dover?

 

There's plenty to see & do near Dover, worthwhile if you spend a few days there, but for a trip from Newbury to Newcastle it's way out on a limb in the crowded south-east & on the wrong side of London.

If you deleted Dover, we could put up a stack of great options for both pleasant driving and places of interest between Newbury and Newcastle. Places like Bath, Stratford upon Avon and the Cotswolds ( just the mention of the Cotswolds will get this forum's resident Eagle chomping at the bit :D)

 

My thanks to the local Hatter for correcting my confusion between two aviation museums in their neck of the woods. I retired from coach-driving a few years ago, and mebbe senility is setting in :D

But at least my football team isn't languishing in the bottom division :p

(in fun ;))

 

JB :)

Edited February 2, 2016 by John Bull

[Cotswold Eagle]

Did someone mention the Cotswolds? :)

 

I agree, adding Dover to that itinerary is not ideal, unless there's a really good reason to go there - the castle is great, but not sure it's worth the aggravation it brings to this trip.

[Hatters cruiser]

It's much easier for me to know about those two museum than you, it's no problem.

 

I agree unless there is a pressing desire for a visit to Dover there are others places to visit on the journey to Newcastle, perhaps the much more touristy Warwick a castle?

 

Once you arrive in Newcastle then you can easily travel along the line of Hadrians wall visiting Housesteads, Vindalanda and other Roman sites along its length and maybe Carlsile with its castle and cathedral.

[Bob++]

This should really have its own thread.

 

Planning a trip like this is great fun, but it will help if you can give us some idea of what interests you. If you like great houses you can't beat Chatsworth in the middle of the beautiful Peak District (I can recommend a great B&B nearby). If you like Steam engines, The York Railway Museum has the lot. York also has an excellent Viking museum (badly flooded this year but I am sure they will get it sorted).

 

http://www.chatsworth.org/

http://www.nrm.org.uk/

http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/

 

The list is endless so we will need some guidance.

Edited February 2, 2016 by Bob++

[happymom]

Thanks for info. No real reason for Dover except I wanted to see it. I like your ideas of the other drive. :cool::) Back to the drawing board!!

[brazilgirl]

I would like to add a few related questions to this thread.

 

We will be in London for 3.5 days post cruise. We have visited on a previous cruise and loved the city. We visited the Natural History Museum , the Tower of London, Hyde and St James Parks, Madame Tussuad and did a London Duck tour ( we have three children).

 

On this trip we will be staying in South Kensington. We are planning to visit the British Museum, Sir John Soane Museum , the V&A and Science museums and see the Whitehall Changing of the Guard.

 

My question:

 

We would like to do a day trip out of London. I am considering a trip to Dover to see the castle and cliffs ( I realy love cliffs) and Canterbury or a trip to see Stonehenge and Bath. The Georgian architecture looks gorgeous.

http://www.andersontours.co.uk/tourdetails.asp?id=336

 

Or

 

http://andersontours.co.uk/tourdetails.asp?id=7

 

I am also open to other suggestions. Any opinions?

 

I have also looked at the option of going by the high speed train to Dover. Would it be easy to visit the cliffs and castle on our own?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited February 3, 2016 by brazilgirl

[Underwatr]

The museum of the College of Surgeons is right across the green from Sir John Soanes house. Fascinating, even though I got a queasy stomach after awhile.

[brazilgirl]

The museum of the College of Surgeons is right across the green from Sir John Soanes house. Fascinating, even though I got a queasy stomach after awhile.

 

 

I saw that...it looks fascinating. Would it be appropriate for a yoinger crowd?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Underwatr]

I saw that...it looks fascinating. Would it be appropriate for a yoinger crowd?

Maybe not. How young?

 

There are specimens of just about every diseased and malformed body part you can think of, preserved in glass jars. Above 12 or so might not be a problem but I don't think I'd take a 7 or 8-year old, for example.