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.

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.

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.

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?