| Important Information about London to Stonehenge Trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 1 Day |
| Best Time to visit | Jun-Sep |
| Type of Trip | Road Trip |
| Total Distance | 178.7 km |
| What is Stonehenge Famous for | History, Art & Culture |
Day Trip from London to Stonehenge
To fully immerse yourself in rich British history whilst in the English capital, you might be wondering how to travel from London to Stonehenge. In this post, we are going to share with you the best ways to visit Stonehenge from London, specifically as a day trip.
Stonehenge is one of the most popular sights in the UK, and for good reason – it’s one of the world’s most striking ancient monuments. Situated in the south of England, this prehistoric monument in Wiltshire is a true wonder of the world. This spiritual stone circle is an awe-inspiring site just 3.2 km from Amesbury and 14.4 km from Salisbury.
In this post, we’re going to give you everything you need to plan your own trip to Stonehenge from London. It takes between 2 and 4 hours to travel from London to Stonehenge and you can access the World Heritage site by train, bus, or a rental car.
How to Get to Stonehenge from London?
There are a number of ways to get to Stonehenge from London, including driving yourself, taking public transport, or taking a guided bus tour. Driving to Stonehenge from London is probably the fastest and most direct route from the capital. You can just pick up a hire car from London Heathrow airport or from any other city location, and drive out here. This will give you lots of flexibility, and make stops along the way.
| Day Trip Drive | Distance | Driving Time | Major Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Winchester | 104.2 km | 1 h 31 min | Via M3 |
| Winchester to Southampton | 21.6 km | 25 min | Via M3 |
| Southampton to Stonehenge | 52.9 km | 57 min | Via A36 |
Start Your Road Trip in London
London is a vast, modern, and historic city with diverse cultures and notable landmarks. This capital city is famous for its local and worldwide street food served at popular street markets, like Broadway Market and Borough Market. With popular attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Oxford, and many more, there is so much to see here. There are hundreds of museums and art galleries in the city that are free and just waiting to be explored. After soaking yourself in the richness of London you can plan for trips for the nearby locations.
For your London to Stonehenge road trip, you can get a rental car and commence on this remarkable journey.
Gas Station Near London Heathrow Airport
If you are driving yourself to Stonehenge or taking a rental car from the airport, these gas stations could be of benefit to you.
-
EG HEATHROW SOUTH
Address: Southern Perimeter Rd, Stanwell, Hounslow TW6 3PF, United Kingdom
Hours: Open 24 hours
-
ESSO
Address: 272 Bath Rd, Sipson, Hayes UB3 5AY, United Kingdom
Hours: Open 24 hours
First Stop: Winchester
Situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park, Winchester with its cultural heritage, beautiful medieval architecture, bustling market booths, and award-winning eateries is a great stop destination from London to Stonehenge day trip.
Located in the county of Hampshire, Winchester is England’s ancient capital and also the seat of Alfred the Great. Winchester offers plenty of options to its visitors to explore and enjoy during their stay.
Places to Visit in Winchester:
You can check out the following attractions in the city if you have more time.
-
Winchester Cathedral
popular landmark, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe
-
The Great Hall
the hall houses the medieval round table linked to King Arthur
Next Stop: Southampton
Popularly known as the cruise capital of Europe, Southampton welcomes over 4 million visitors every year. This harbor city on England’s south coast offers great historical experiences as you walk through the ages of Romans, Vikings, and Saxons. To know more about the history of Southampton, you can visit Tudor House and Garden, which is one of Southampton’s most significant buildings.
Another best place to see here is the SeaCity Museum, where the permanent exhibition tells you all about the connection of the city with the famous White Star Line Ocean Liner Titanic.
With more than 5000 works divided into 8 time periods, Southampton City Art Gallery is also worth visiting. The core of their collection is British art from the 20th century and modern art, along with many European works.
Where to Eat in Southampton
On your London to Stonehenge day trip, Southampton is a great place to make a spot and have brunch/lunch. You can find some of the best restaurants and local eateries in the city and it’s a perfect spot to refuel for some more sightseeing! Some of the best places to eat are:
- Mettricks: great coffee and other beverages with a homely, creative space.
- The Pig in the Wall: A daytime deli with a neat line in porky morsels
- Dancing Man Brewery: restaurant and a brewpub in a medieval Woolhouse
- Ennio’s: serves classy Italian cuisine in a converted Victorian warehouse
Visit Stonehenge
- Entry Fee: approx. £ 19.50 for Adults/£ 11.70 for Child(5-17)
- Tickets: Visitors can purchase tickets on site or online through the National Trust Website
One of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Europe is a can’t-miss on any England heritage road trip. Stonehenge has captivated the world’s imagination for centuries, baffling archaeologists and historians alike. Walkthrough the incredible site to know more about our Neolithic village and their ancestors from the remains of their houses and tools. The monument also has an extensive collection of museum-quality artifacts and a visitor’s center, which accommodates over 250 ancient objects. The archaeological site has attracted visitors for the last 5,000 years and still continues to fascinate tourists, many of whom come to their own conclusions about what the mysterious circular stone monument was used for.
Parking at Stonehenge
Visitors can park their cars at the Stonehenge Visitors Centre. It takes around 10 minutes to get to the stone circle from there or you can take the free shuttle bus from outside the shop.
It is free to park in Stonehenge for ticket holders. Otherwise, visitors will need to pay £5 in cash to access the car park, which can be refunded once you purchase the ticket on-site.
After exploring Stonehenge, you can either get back to London or you can extend your day trip to visit famous nearby locations. You can plan a small trip from Stonehenge to Windsor Castle, Bath, Salisbury Cathedral, Cotswolds, and make the most of your trip.