Southampton to London, with a stop at Stonehenge

[beyondthepalace]

Sailing back into Southampton at end of December and returning to London. Would love to stop over at Stonehenge on the way up (original plan was on way down pre-cruise but time would be more on our side after cruise). Trying to seek out best methods. Really would prefer NOT to travel with a ton of other people. 

Edited March 4, 2023 by beyondthepalace

[John Bull]

I'm not aware of any small-group tour/transfers to suit your plans, so a private tour/transfer will be expensive altho with a large enough vehicle (remember to allow for luggage)  you could perhaps find sharers via your cruise RollCall (f you don't know about RollCalls just ask here)

There's a complication with Stonehenge - you are strongly advised to pre-book and you will be asked to nominate a 30-minute arrival slot. Numbers at the site are limited, and at busy times if you don't pre-book or you don't arrive within your time-slot you may be delayed (perhaps for hours) until there's un-booked availability. I can help you to figure a time-slot if you choose to visit that way.

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

 

For transportation try

https://westquaycars.com/

https://www.aquacars.co.uk/

https://www.hampshireexecchauffeurs.co.uk/

The above based at the Southampton end, or at the London end try

https://www.blackberrycars.com/

.............................................................

 

Alternatively, and much more simply, a long-established and highly-regarded coach tour operator International Friends provides a door-to-door tour/transfer for most ships from the cruise terminal in Southampton to your central London hotel. The tour/transfer is specifically for your ship (but those on smaller ships or lodged in a Southampton hotel can also join the tour by making their own way to the ship's cruise terminal). It includes a stop at Salisbury cathedral (beautiful cathedral with the tallest spire in the UK, one of the four original copies of Magna Carta, the world's oldest working clock, etc), 90 minutes at Stonehenge and 90 mins to 2 hours at Windsor. At your London hotel about 7pm.

If you choose this way to visit, be sure to buy your Stonehenge tickets with your coach booking - Stonehenge tickets issued by coach tours are "anytime", no need to worry about booking an arrival slot. Many many Cruise Critic members have used this service with overwhelmingly positive reactions.

https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/shore-excursions-and-cruise-transfers.html 

 

JB 🙂

Edited to add. Just noticed this is for December - International Friends probably won't be available. But missing a pre-booked Stonehenge time-slot is unlikely to be a problem because visitor numbers will be low. Wrap up warm - Stonehenge is out on very exposed Salisbury Plain

Edited March 4, 2023 by John Bull

[beyondthepalace]

Thanks so much. Right now a lot is up in the air as we need to finalize flights from the US and such. If we do arrive in the UK early enough, we might be able to hit it on the way down. 

[Bob++]

The only sensible alternative I can see would be to rent a car and drive yourself. You would not want to drive in London though, with ridiculous traffic, congestion charges and parking problems.