Full-Day Private Tour to Salisbury, Stonehenge and Woodhenge

Our first stop is going to be magnificent Stonehenge for today. In the Neolithic period, some 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge evolved from a simple bank and a ditch into a very sophisticated rock circle on a midsummer sunrise axis. They were transported from the Preseli mountains of Wales for 180 miles. The importance of Stonehenge is well known without a doubt. It may have been an astronomical observatory or used in sacred, sun-like, or even death rituals. We simply don't know but it's time to discuss and do some brainstorming by using some important evidence thanks to modern technology. Some scientists in 1960 even claimed that they solved the mystery of Stonehenge by considering the alignment of the planets. No, it wasn't that simple. Today we will be a witness of an eternal journey between the realm of death and realm of living through the sun and sacred River Avon. We will think like a pagan and druids in Stonehenge. We accept that it's a celestial calendar but it's not a simple monument, not an ordinary ancient burial ground. It's more than that. Just follow us.

About 4,500 years ago, hundreds of people gathered two miles from Stonehenge to build another massive monument in a location known to us as the Durrington Walls, which is a distinctive and well-known concentration of ceremonial and associated settlements in the Stonehenge landscape including Woodhenge and its related sites. Despite the lesser-known image, Woodhenge is actually an important site primarily connected to Stonehenge, and was originally constructed around 2300 BC, as a majestic Neolithic site. The area bears great importance in connection through the sacred River Avon during the winter and the summer solstices along with Stonehenge. From 2004 to 2006, seven houses have been discovered in on-site excavations by a team led by the University of Sheffield. It was proposed that if the whole enclosed area was used the settlement may initially have had up to 1000 houses and maybe 4,000 inhabitants. The settlement period was roughly 500 years from 2800 until 2100 BC. We will reveal extraordinary events held by the stone builders and believers coming from different parts of Britain by boat and on foot during the winter and the summer. We are talking about a distance of up to 700 miles which would have taken almost a month. The excavation of the site revealed that some dark spots were hollow holes which had previously housed upright timbers. Today we will also reveal why those builders used perishable materials here in this area. There is a reason for this and our APTG qualified blue badge guides will reveal the secret for you today.

Salisbury is a lovely Medieval city and has a fascinating history that goes back to 1227. Cutting-edge events, the city’s live and dynamic lifestyle reveals all lovely traditions. Unlike the capital London, no bombings, no flood or no fire threat, the city was so successful to keep its identity with England’s finest historic houses, buildings, monuments, beautiful parks and heritage over the centuries. You will simply adore this lovely and charming city. I will take you to the most iconic spots. When someone says “Salisbury”, of course, the most important and iconic symbol of the city Salisbury Cathedral comes to mind. Indeed you can not miss this one of the finest cathedrals in the U.K. Today, Salisbury attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world and we're going to explore this lovely and charming city on a tour by our car.

The Salisbury Museum is one of the best museums in England to bring us 500000 years of history, as this was when the first people arrived in Britain who made tools of stone and wood for hunting animals. Here in this museum, you will examine important remnants from Mesolithic (First Monuments 9500BC to 4000BC), Earlier Neolithic (First Farmers 4000BC to 3000BC), Later Neolithic (First Henges 3000BC to 2500BC, Beaker (First Metals 2500BC to 2200BC) this is exactly when Stonehenge and Avebury stone structures were erected and the journey of the eras goes from the Iron Age till the very first Romans. The museum is housed at the King's House building opposite the Salisbury Cathedral's west façade. There is a large archaeological collection of artefacts, fine art (including Turner watercolours) and ceramics mainly from Stonehenge. Visitors enjoy the galleries as well as fact exhibits related to the ancient history of fascinating collections. The Salisbury Museum exhibits the items excavated during several excavations around Stonehenge that are not displayed at the Stonehenge site. Collections in the Wessex, History of Salisbury, Ceramics and Costume Galleries are simply impeccable. Here you can meet our famous Amesbury Archer, 4000 years old, as one of the most important finds in Europe. You will not believe your ears about the number of findings in his grave. In his era, he was the mighty man. Get ready for the journey of your life in this museum.

Your next stop would be Salisbury Cathedral and it is surrounded by historical buildings and Museums in the spectacular Cathedral Close. You will marvel at the magnificent Gothic architecture and explore this living church's past and present. You will also note that the 750th anniversary was in 2008. The Cathedral has the tallest spire as well as the largest cloisters in the U.K. The minute you walk towards the Cathedral, the spirit and the soul of this masterpiece will simply capture your mind and you certainly can feel that. Salisbury Cathedral is full of marvels. As soon as we enter the Cathedral, your guide will tell you about the Cathedral’s past. The construction started in 1220 by the direction of the stonemason designer Elias of Dereham who was a key guy in the negotiations of King John’s Magna Carta in 1215. Did you know the world’s oldest clock is displayed here? And yes, it’s still functioning. This clock was originally installed in a bell tower and used between 1386 and 1884 and reactivated in 1956 after an unused long period. It’s amazing to see how it’s still working. Time to make our visit the most memorable one. In Magna Carta gallery your Tourope UK guide will mention about the genealogy of King John and the consecutive events that led him to sign Magna Carta. The presence of the best-preserved of only four surviving original 1215 Magna Carta is reason alone to visit we must say. Your APTG qualified Blue Badge guide will also share some vital information about the Chapter House with its immaculate carvings and figures. You may also spend some time in the newly restored Refectory restaurant looking into the splendid Spire, the famous Salisbury cathedral, exploring the gifts that are available at the store or enjoying a snack or dinner is all at our leisure on our way.