Southhampton to Stonehenge

[knsky]

Hello Friends -

Looking at staying in the Moxy in Southhampton in July 2023 - arriving two days before NCL cruise. Exploring options to go see Stonehenge - appreciate any advice.

 

[John Bull]

The obvious choice is by train to Salisbury then ho-ho to Stonehenge.

Southampton (note spelling) Central station is a simple level 10 - 15 minute walk from the Moxy.

At the station buy return tickets to Salisbury, about £12. Two trains per hour, approx 30 minutes travel time.

Choose your train time to arrive in good time for a Stonehenge Tour bus (they run hourly, see their website below) which run from a bus-stop on the station approach.

 

You can pre-book tour  tickets on-line,  or pay the driver (but see the FAQ on their website).

Be sure to buy the combined bus and Stonehenge admission tickets - just like those bought with coach excursions they allow you admission at any  time. If you choose to pay at the gate you risk being delayed because Stonehenge visitor numbers are limited at busy times & your day will be ruined if you have to wait at the gate for an hour or two, (this is a permanent arrangement, not a temporary Covid restriction).

 

Expect to spend one or two hours at Stonehenge, then take the ho-ho back to Salisbury.
If you have the time and energy, and if the weather is kind to you, you might want to hop off at Old Sarum. Then take a bus from the same stop to Salisbury city centre - double-check with the tour driver, but I think your Tour tickets are good for any Salisbury Reds bus, and all buses at that stop go to the city centre.

Get off the ho-ho or service bus at New Canal for the historic city centre and cathedral.

 

The return to Salisbury station is a 10 - 15 minute walk or local bus or taxi hop or ho-ho if conveniently-timed.

 

Then train back to Southampton for a well-earned beer.

 

https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/things-to-do/old-sarum-p133943

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_Cathedral

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury

 

JB 🙂

 

[knsky]

Dear JB - Thank you so much for the information. It is super helpful. 

[ddaz]

On 1/23/2023 at 7:48 PM, John Bull said:

The obvious choice is by train to Salisbury then ho-ho to Stonehenge.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

Howdy John Bull,

 

Your reply was AWESOME!  Thank you very much for your insightful directions!

 

ddaz

GBY

[JimmyVWine]

On 1/23/2023 at 7:48 PM, John Bull said:

The obvious choice is by train to Salisbury then ho-ho to Stonehenge.

Southampton (note spelling) Central station is a simple level 10 - 15 minute walk from the Moxy.

At the station buy return tickets to Salisbury, about £12. Two trains per hour, approx 30 minutes travel time.

Choose your train time to arrive in good time for a Stonehenge Tour bus (they run hourly, see their website below) which run from a bus-stop on the station approach.

 

You can pre-book tour  tickets on-line,  or pay the driver (but see the FAQ on their website).

Be sure to buy the combined bus and Stonehenge admission tickets - just like those bought with coach excursions they allow you admission at any  time. If you choose to pay at the gate you risk being delayed because Stonehenge visitor numbers are limited at busy times & your day will be ruined if you have to wait at the gate for an hour or two, (this is a permanent arrangement, not a temporary Covid restriction).

 

Expect to spend one or two hours at Stonehenge, then take the ho-ho back to Salisbury.
If you have the time and energy, and if the weather is kind to you, you might want to hop off at Old Sarum. Then take a bus from the same stop to Salisbury city centre - double-check with the tour driver, but I think your Tour tickets are good for any Salisbury Reds bus, and all buses at that stop go to the city centre.

Get off the ho-ho or service bus at New Canal for the historic city centre and cathedral.

 

The return to Salisbury station is a 10 - 15 minute walk or local bus or taxi hop or ho-ho if conveniently-timed.

 

Then train back to Southampton for a well-earned beer.

 

https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/things-to-do/old-sarum-p133943

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_Cathedral

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury

 

JB 🙂

 

We have an overnight in Southampton which means a full, free day to explore.  I was originally thinking of doing this exact plan until I realized that our day in port will coincide with the autumnal equinox.  Does anyone have any insight as to whether this celestial event will cause Stonehenge to be a complete zoo of people?  The site is not important enough for me to waste my time being shoulder to shoulder with zealous people on pilgrimages.  Thanks.

[John Bull]

17 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

We have an overnight in Southampton which means a full, free day to explore.  I was originally thinking of doing this exact plan until I realized that our day in port will coincide with the autumnal equinox.  Does anyone have any insight as to whether this celestial event will cause Stonehenge to be a complete zoo of people?  The site is not important enough for me to waste my time being shoulder to shoulder with zealous people on pilgrimages.  Thanks.

 

Interesting question.

The summer solstice (20/21 June in 2024) is a big deal at Stonehenge, because that's when the sun rises beside the heel stone & shines into the heart of the circle. It also disrupts visits the previous day and the following day.

 

But I 've never been aware of any mention of ceremony for the Autumn Equinox, and I'm not sure it has any great significance to Stonehenge.

You've probably found on the web that the equinox sunrise (pretty irrelevant ?) is celebrated there, but the numbers are small. Sunrise is 6.55am.

The booking site is showing availability for all arrival slots from 9.30 (usual opening hours) on both the sunday & the monday.

So I doubt the equinox will have much, if any, effect on your visit.

 

But your best move would be to e-mail  customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Be sure to head it Stonehenge - English Heritage looks after dozens of heritage sites.

 

JB 🙂 

[JimmyVWine]

9 minutes ago, John Bull said:

Interesting question.

Thanks for your insights.  The ship's schedule would never allow for a sunrise visit and the availability later in the morning looks promising.