Location: Salisbury
Top Things to do in Salisbury
Top 10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Salisbury, England
If you saw Chevy Chase's masterpiece European Vacation, you'll recognize Stonehenge's massive formation. (As a citizen of the world, you should recognize Stonehenge anyway.) The prehistoric stone circle is eight miles from Salisbury, and its visitors provide a boost to the local economy. With a history dating back over 5,000 years, there is no shortage of significant places to visit in and around Salisbury. On the "must see" list are Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat and Stourhead gardens (and Stonehenge, of course).
Restaurants in Salisbury
1. Full-Day Tour of Salisbury and Stonehenge from Salisbury
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
See the ancient wonder of Stonehenge in modern comfort. This tour will show you the ancient English heritage and many sites of historic and cultural interest, including Stonehenge and the Medieval City of Salisbury with its famous Cathedral and Magna Carta dating back to 1220. The tour dives into the depths of history and discovers the how, when, where and why of Stonehenge & ancient past of humans, from Neolithic Man to the present day. PLEASE NOTE: tickets to Stonehenge are included, but NOT Salisbury Cathedral, as this is done by voluntary donation.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected), Air-conditioned vehicle, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local guide
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities, Lunch, Entrance to Salisbury Cathedral is not included, it by voluntary donation on the day.
Reviewed By James B
The "developments" around Stonehenge are reducing the experience by making actual contact difficult. But it is still amazing. West Kennet Long Barrow is a good trip, well worth the visit (if you like this sort of thing).
2. Stonehenge, Avebury, and West Kennet Long Barrow in One Day from Salisbury
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
This full-day trip from Salisbury introduces you to the medieval city of Salisbury and the beautiful Woodford Valley en route to the world famous prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also get to learn about the railways and canals before arriving at Avebury, also known as the largest stone circle in Europe.
Inclusions: All activities, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch
Reviewed By Tim S
A breezy cold day so what better than a visit to somewhere open. My wife was struggling with her hip so we took the bus down to the stones a great help as it saved 30 mins in each direction walking. A wonder how they got thee stones there and how they erected them. The exhibition afterwards proved informative. Top tip go early to avoid the crowd
3. Bespoke private tours of Stonehenge and Avebury by car with local guide
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Enjoy a private guided tour of the extraordinary prehistoric sites of Wiltshire including Stonehenge and Avebury. All tours are by air conditioned car and include pick up from your local* hotel or arrival point. Full day (minimum 8 hours) or half day (minimum 5 hours) tours are available. Full day tours include visits to both Stonehenge and Avebury. West Kennet Long Barrow, Silbury Hill and Durrington Walls are also on route. Your expert local guide has a degree in archaeology and classical studies. As a local he knows the most scenic routes and the more hidden and unusual sites along the way. He also knows the best places to eat and drink including traditional English pubs and the best spots for a picnic lunch. *local means local to the Stonehenge and Avebury area west of London. Local towns include Salisbury, Bath, Swindon and Marlborough. Pick ups outside of this area including London are possible but may bear an extra cost. Pick up and drop off points can differ to suit you.
Inclusions: Private tour, Hotel pickup and drop-off within Wiltshire (other pick-ups can be arranged at an extra cost.), Professional guide, Local guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By bauto1
Mr. Davies provided my partner and I an exceptional “ancestry” tour of Wiltshire. He arranged for us to be picked up and returned to our club in London for the day by private car. This was very helpful as my partner is partially disabled. (Although the London traffic was horrendous and we might do differently next time). We then proceeded to meetup with him and he provided a wonderful, well informed tour of a list of villages and sites from whence my ancestors hailed specific to Wiltshire, which I had provided to him, such as churches and villages from genealogical research I had done. It was, he said, the first tour of that nature he had done. He had scouted the sites in advance! Not only that, but as an archaeologist and historian, he had great knowledge of the area. We got to see the ancestral sites, very meaningful to me as my grandfather was an emigrant to the U.S. We also were able to fit in some Neolithic sites, two small, interesting museums, several iconic villages, and a luxury lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant on a lovely resort estate. My partner is a Numismatist and very interested in coins, medallions and hordes, and Mr Davies even had a great knowledge of these as well. As a premier musician, he was extremely cultured and well travelled and was even acquainted with my partners great uncle, a well known French Horn player. What a small world we live in and I would not hesitate to say what a high recommendation we would give him, a lovely chap. It was a great day and though not inexpensive, well worth the cost.
4. Private Day Tour to Stonehenge, Salisbury & Windsor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy unrivalled service with collection and drop-off from your hotel; no need to worry about finding a meeting point early in the morning. All our tours are run by some of the most experienced and highest rated guides in London with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry and degrees in history. Your overall tour experience will be greatly enhanced by your local guide. Your tour is entirely bespoke and can be changed at any time; even on the day. We understand that every family has different passions and interests, so we cater our service to your personal needs. Our tour itineraries stand out from the crowd. We won’t ever oversell a product and firmly believe in providing more value through allowing more time at the sights than the big bus tours. We are a small, bespoke company so we guarantee that you won’t be left with an inexperienced backup guide during the busy season. We provide the highest quality guides all year round.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Private transportation
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By TrentBarn0209
We had an amazing trip to Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds with Oz; our courteous driver and tour guide. The trip was very professional and very well organized. From the outset, we could tell we were in good hands. Oz really knows his way around the area and his depth of knowledge of the history of the locations is fantastic. You could not ask for a better guide. Our trip was a little different because we asked not to go to The Roman Museum and spend more time in the Cotswolds. Oz picked us up on time and the van was very comfortable. We were provided hand sanitizer in the van for our use and offered face masks if needed which was also reassuring. It was quite a long drive out to Stonehenge, but Oz kicked things off with an interesting talk on London as we passed by important buildings. He then gave us an amazing introduction speech about Saxons, Vikings and ancient history that really had us hooked on what we were going to see! The whole day was superb, we never felt rushed and enjoyed it so much from beginning to end. Thanks for a great day Oz - this was the best day of our holiday!
5. Circle tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
We are a bespoke tour company based in amesbury, wiltshire. We 'circle tours' are a tour company like no other. A tour where you can relax. Our professional driver will collect you/your party in our air conditioning vehicle from the agreed location. Take you/your party on your bespoke tour of your choice. No rushing for buses or fighting for a seat. Once the tour is completed we will take you to your preferred location. We try to make your experience special and stress free.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: WiFi on board, Restroom on board
6. Ancient Wonders of Wessex Private Guided Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
If you are interested in Britain’s Ancient History, there is no better way to spend your time effectively than having your own guide and driver. No wasted time at meeting points or managing other tourists expectations – you will have a full say in how to maximise your precious sightseeing time. Our tour guides are of the highest standard and share a deep knowledge of Ancient HIstory with a likeable and easygoing personality. We are incredibly proud of our 100% 5* TripAdvisor ratings on ALL private tours, and intend to continue our sterling reputation.
Inclusions: Private transportation, 10-Hour Private Tour with Experienced Driver Guide, All Transportation & Fuel Costs, Full Guided Commentary, Walking Tour of Stonehenge, Walking Tour of Avebury
Exclusions: Entry to Stonehenge, Entry to Old Sarum
Reviewed By TrentBarn0209
We had an amazing trip to Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds with Oz; our courteous driver and tour guide. The trip was very professional and very well organized. From the outset, we could tell we were in good hands. Oz really knows his way around the area and his depth of knowledge of the history of the locations is fantastic. You could not ask for a better guide. Our trip was a little different because we asked not to go to The Roman Museum and spend more time in the Cotswolds. Oz picked us up on time and the van was very comfortable. We were provided hand sanitizer in the van for our use and offered face masks if needed which was also reassuring. It was quite a long drive out to Stonehenge, but Oz kicked things off with an interesting talk on London as we passed by important buildings. He then gave us an amazing introduction speech about Saxons, Vikings and ancient history that really had us hooked on what we were going to see! The whole day was superb, we never felt rushed and enjoyed it so much from beginning to end. Thanks for a great day Oz - this was the best day of our holiday!
7. Salisbury, Stonehenge, and Avebury in One Day from Salisbury
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 5 reviews
See the ancient wonder of Stonehenge in modern comfort. This tour will show you the ancient English heritage and many sites of historic and cultural interest, including Stonehenge and the medieval city of Salisbury with its famous Cathedral and Magna Carta dating back to 1220. The tour dives into the depths of history and discovers the how, when, where and why of Stonehenge & ancient past of humans, from Neolithic Man to the present day. Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire are among the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. The two sanctuaries consist of circles of menhirs arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored. These holy places and nearby Neolithic sites are an incomparable testimony to prehistoric times.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected), Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local guide, Pickup and drop-off in Southampton is available, BUT there is an additional cost of £50.00 each way per tour.
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities, Lunch
Reviewed By Tim S
A breezy cold day so what better than a visit to somewhere open. My wife was struggling with her hip so we took the bus down to the stones a great help as it saved 30 mins in each direction walking. A wonder how they got thee stones there and how they erected them. The exhibition afterwards proved informative. Top tip go early to avoid the crowd
8. Stonehenge Special Access Guided Morning Tour from London
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Visit one of the country’s most famous World Heritage sites and get up close and personal with the stones. Visitors on this tour will be allowed direct access to the stones before the site opens to the general public. This tour includes entrance into Salisbury Cathedral and free time to explore and entrance to the Stone circle.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By alexandrur215
Driver and guide have been astonishing and they work perfectly as a team! Our guide was very nice and helpful and our driver made us feel safe at all time!
9. Windsor, Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath with Christmas Lunch
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
Experience the history of England from prehistoric times to the present on Christmas Day. Visit Royal Windsor for a guided walking tour of the old market town. Visit Salisbury and Bath for a panoramic driving tour and a walking tour of the old town. Enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch including Roast Turkey and Christmas dessert.
Inclusions: Walking tour of town of Windsor, Panoramic tour of city of Salisbury and Bath, Drive past Stonehenge, 2-course Christmas lunch, Services of Professional guide and transport by air-conditioned coach
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Reviewed By JessicamarieBrecknoc
Fantastic - even for a muggle this place is jaw dropping. This was our third visit and we will be back before the year is out . You can actually do this trip yourself by public transport from Waterloo to Watford Junction and then there is a free shuttle coach to the studios and it will end up costing you a fraction of the price. Just to say I have not used this service so I am not reviewing the service given by Premium tours .A family ticket cost €132 for 2 adults and 2 children and then the extras are just the train fare. If you are on a budget I would recommend exploring this option.
10. Salisbury and Stonehenge Day Tour from Southampton
On this private tour from Southampton you visit the prehistoric stone circle known as Stonehenge and also enjoy a visit to the delightful town of Salisbury, including a visit to its famous Cathedral with Britain’s tallest spire and best-preserved Magna Carta.
Inclusions: Professional local guide/driver, Transportation in a modern comfortable air-conditioned vehicle., Southampton hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour
Exclusions: Entrance fees to other attractions, Food or refreshments, Gratuities
Reviewed By mptaylor11
Our family had a wonderful time exploring Oxford and the Cotswolds with Graham, whom we found to be very knowledgable and friendly. The tour was well structured but also left enough flexibility for us to explore our specific interests. It felt like we were traveling with an old friend rather than someone we had just met. This was time well spent that provided us with fond memories from our family vacation.
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