Stonehenge and Avebury in 48h

Alight at Salisbury, a medieval city of ageless beauty built around the Cathedral, a beacon which has attracted travellers for centuries. Traditionally English and full of buildings crafted with the care of another age, Salisbury is a modern city with a creative and independent spirit where history is brought to life.

The Salisbury Museum is an award-winning independent museum housed in the magnificent medieval King’s House, directly opposite the Cathedral. The museum tells the story of the Salisbury area from prehistory to the present day. Step into the world of ancient Wessex and uncover treasures that shaped Britain’s past. Discover Stonehenge in its regional and chronological context and see unique artefacts from the World Heritage Site. Encounter the Amesbury Archer, one of the most important early Bronze Age burials ever found in Britain, and explore the fascinating Pitt-Rivers Wessex Collection, which reveals how archaeology developed as a modern discipline.

Why not extend your trip by staying in the quaint town of Amesbury?  Catch the bus to Amesbury where the streets are lined with cosy cafes and traditional pubs. The Amesbury History Centre is home to thousands of years of human stories offering an engaging introduction to the town’s extraordinary heritage.

Take the Stonehenge Tour Bus departing hourly from the forecourt of Salisbury Railway Station.  Once you arrive at English Heritage’s Stonehenge Visitor Centre, you can uncover the incredible story of one of the world’s most famous places. Experience the unforgettable atmosphere of the Stone Circle, which is a powerful testament to human ingenuity, imagination and creativity. Dig deeper in the world-class exhibition and follow in the footsteps of the prehistoric people who lived here 4,000 years ago as you walk among the Neolithic houses.

The National Trust cares for over 800 hectares of land in the Stonehenge Landscape and visitors can wander across the grasslands towards the Cursus, Avenue, King Barrow Ridge, Cuckoo Stone and Durrington Walls, as well as Woodhenge. The monuments remain deeply connected to each other and to the living landscape. Look out for wild deer, hares or maybe a greater spotted woodpecker along the way.

Why not extend your trip by staying in the quaint town of Amesbury?  A two-mile walk from Stonehenge Down, Amesbury’s streets are lined with cosy cafes and traditional pubs. The Amesbury History Centre is home to thousands of years of human stories offering an engaging introduction to the town’s extraordinary heritage.

Take the bus to Devizes, which is regularly in the top 10 of the UK’s favourite historic market towns, and has a colourful medieval past. The town is home to Wiltshire Museum, which has welcomed visitors since 1874, along with more than 500 other listed buildings. 

Devizes is not only a fascinating place to visit but also makes a great base for exploring both parts of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. The VisitWiltshire website has some suggestions for accommodation and eating out in Devizes.

See gold from the time of Stonehenge! Wiltshire Museum in Devizes is home to the best Bronze Age archaeology collection in Britain. Explore the galleries, see the outstanding collections and find out more about the fascinating history of Wiltshire and its people over the last 6,000 years.

The Museum’s Prehistoric Wiltshire Galleries tell the story of the people who built and used the world renowned monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury. Unique gold and amber objects date back over 4,000 years to the Bronze Age – the time of shamans and priests, learning and culture across Europe. You will encounter here the infamous Bush Barrow Chieftain burial from the Stonehenge landscape. Later periods, including the Iron Age, Romans and Saxons, are also featured, together with the story of the Devizes area. There are fun activities for all the family throughout the Museum.

Visit the Wiltshire Museum website for details of current special exhibitions held throughout the year – displaying the work of renowned artists, the Wiltshire landscape or highlighting more of the vast collection. There is an extensive archive and library, which is open to visitors and researchers. The collections are designated by the government as being of national importance.

Take a bus to Avebury, where the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle partially encompasses a pretty village. Around 4,600 years ago, the bank and ditch of Avebury Henge you can see today were built, and soon after, at least three stone circles were set up inside. If you’d like to learn more about the history of Avebury, join a guided stone circle tour with a knowledgeable National Trust volunteer. You can book a place at Visitor Reception in the Barn.

The Alexander Keiller Museum in the old farmyard houses finds of international significance and is named after the archaeologist who excavated here in the 1930s. Working closely with English Heritage, the National Trust manages the monuments and museum. There are a number of options to eat and shop in Avebury, and you can also visit Avebury Manor and Garden which is owned and cared for by the National Trust.

There are many more monuments within walking distance of Avebury village. The West Kennet Avenue remains standing for the first 800 metres leading south from the stone circle. If you continue to the top of Waden Hill, you’ll have clear views across to Silbury Hill, the largest prehistoric mound in Europe.

Take a bus to Swindon, a modern and diverse town steeped in heritage. In 1843 Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Daniel Gooch spotted the potential of Swindon’s location between London and the South West to build the Great Western Railway works, which eventually became one of the largest manufacturing sites in the world.

You will find a wide variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes to try during your visit, as well as plenty of places to stay.

Why not extend your stay in Swindon?  Discover the region’s industrial past at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway as you explore the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway.