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Traveling To Stonehenge From London

If you’re traveling to London and want to add on a day trip to Stonehenge I’m here to give you all the information and details you’ll need to make the trip. From London Stonehenge bus options and Stonehenge from London train info to group tour options that are sure to offer you a memorable visit to one of the world’s most mysterious sites, this post has it all.

How Far Is London From Stonehenge?

To get to Stonehenge from London takes about 2 hours if you’re driving. If you’re taking the train it should take about 1 1/2 hours.

Taking A Stonehenge Tour From London

An easy option for seeing Stonehenge is to take a group bus tour. This is the most direct way to get to Stonehenge without a car. I highly recommend this option. Tours are readily available from Central London and you have plenty of options for add-ons. Here are my top tour options:

Half-Day Morning or Afternoon Stonehenge Tour

Stonehenge and Bath Full-Day Tour

Windsor Castle and Stonehenge Full-Day Trip

What Are The Public Transport Options For Visiting Stonehenge from London?

You have a couple of options for your day trip to Stonehenge. First, you could travel from London to Stonehenge by bus. Second, you could go to Stonehenge from London by train. Sadly, neither of these are direct and both involve getting additional transport from the nearby Salisbury station to Stonehenge.

How to get from London to Stonehenge by bus:

The bus from London to Stonehenge is a decent travel option. Starting from London, take the National Express from Victoria coach station to Ringwood. The bus operates regular routes from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. There are usually 4 coaches running throughout the day, every 3-4 hours. You will need to change at Ringwood and take the X3 to Salisbury. On return, the first coach leaves Ringwood at 6:45 am and the last coach leaves at 6:40 pm, with around 4-5 coaches throughout the day.

From Ringwood, take the X3 towards Salisbury, operated by the Salisbury Reds. This journey takes around 40 minutes and runs from 5:57 am to 11:32 pm Monday to Saturday and from 8:43 am until 8:43 pm on Sundays and public holidays. The X3 runs from Salisbury to Ringwood from 6:40 am to 9:45 pm Monday to Saturday and from 9.40 am until 9.40 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

From Salisbury, you’ll need to take the Stonehenge tour bus. Click here for Stonehenge Tour Bus info and tickets.

How to get to Stonehenge from London by train:

To take the train you’ll travel from the London Waterloo Station to the Salisbury Train Station.

Take the train from London Waterloo to Salisbury on the South Western Railway line. Trains run every 30-40 minutes from around 6.30 am. The last train from London to Stonehenge leaves at 11.40 pm. You can purchase your train ticket(s) at the station.

It’s important to note Salisbury is the closest train station to Stonehenge, but you will still need to take the tour bus from Salisbury Station to the actual monument. Click here for info on the Stonehenge Tour Bus.

What To Expect From Your London - Stonehenge Trip

I’ve put together a little video of my trip to Stonehenge so you can see this wonderful UNESCO World Heritage site from every angle.

As you can see it’s a truly amazing English heritage site. I highly recommend you travel to Stonehenge during your stay in London. The trip doesn’t take long and makes for a great combination tour with someplace like Bath or Windsor.

Is Stonehenge Wheelchair Accessible?

Yes! The main areas in and around car/coach parks, the visitor centre, and the Stone Circle are accessible by wheelchair via tarmac and grass paths (subject to weather). The visitor shuttle carriages are also wheelchair accessible.

Visitor Shuttle service operates frequently from outside the gift shop. No need to pre-book. It takes 10 minutes to reach the Stones. Shuttles stop at Fargo Plantation (about halfway to the Stones) so visitors can walk part of the way if they wish.

Two wheelchairs are available to visitors on request at the admissions tills on a first come, first served basis.

As you can see from the video above, to access Stonehenge you can choose to navigate a paved path up to the site. Shuttles also drop visitors off at the stones.

What To Bring On Your Trip To Stonehenge

Weather can be tricky in England. On the day I visited Stonehenge, we had terrible rain followed by blue skies all within the span of an hour. It’s important that you plan for rain with a waterproof jacket and shoes. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes especially if you choose to skip the shuttle bus and walk to the site. It also helps to have a water bottle to stay hydrated, particularly in warmer weather. If you use a cane, bring it. There can be a lot of walking.

What Is Stonehenge And Who Built It?

By this point, you may be asking yourself who built this stone circle and why? Sadly nobody really knows. But there are a few theories.

The origins of Stonehenge can be traced back to the late Neolithic period, approximately 5,000 years ago, during a time when primitive civilizations began to undertake astounding feats of engineering and architecture. Constructed on the Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is composed of several large stones, known as megaliths, consisting of massive upright stones called sarsens, weighing up to 25 tons, and smaller stones known as bluestones, believed to have been transported from the Preseli Hills in southwestern Wales.

Despite years of research and speculation, the true purpose of Stonehenge remains shrouded in mystery. Various theories abound, ranging from religious and ceremonial functions to astronomical alignments. One prevailing notion suggests that Stonehenge served as an ancient burial site, as human remains have been discovered in the vicinity. Another hypothesis suggests it was a place of healing and pilgrimage, as curative properties were attributed to the stones.

The most accepted theory posits that Stonehenge was a celestial observatory, meticulously designed to monitor the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. Alignments within the structure suggest a deep understanding of celestial cycles, with specific stones positioned to mark solstices and equinoxes. This astronomical precision would have granted these ancient astronomers crucial insights into seasonal changes and likely played a substantial role in their agricultural practices.

As for the enigmatic builders of Stonehenge, evidence points to the existence of a highly organized and skilled community who dedicated themselves to its creation. Archaeological findings indicate that Stonehenge was a collaborative effort involving both local people and those from distant regions. The transportation and arrangement of these colossal stones would have required an immense amount of labor, technological expertise, and social organization—impressive accomplishments for a society of that era.

While the true builders of Stonehenge may forever remain anonymous, the monument's lasting legacy is undeniable.

Exploring Salisbury… Is It Worth It?

If you’re taking public transport, a Stonehenge tour bus ticket from Salisbury Station will allow you to get on and off the bus as much as you want on the date of your ticket. Stops along the way from Salisbury to Stonehenge include Salisbury Rail Station, Salisbury New Canal, Stonehenge, and Old Sarum.

Salisbury is known as the ‘City in the Countryside’. It has a number of historic houses, museums, shops, and restaurants you may wish to explore.

You can also choose to stop at Old Sarum, an Iron Age hill fort from over 2000 years ago, which was once the original site of Salisbury Cathedral. Alternatively, visit the 13th Anglican Cathedral in Salisbury city.

Personally, if you’re looking to make multiple stops, I’d book a group tour and visit a combination of Stonehenge and Bath or Stonehenge and Windsor. That way you get to see two exciting places and you can relax and not worry about transfers.

Interested In Visiting Nearby Historical Sites?

If you’re looking to tour more historical sites in England check out nearby Corfe Castle, Dorset. The castle was commissioned in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. At one point it served as a fortress and royal residence. Today it’s a remarkable example of medieval architecture and a popular tourist destination. Corfe Castle is 51 miles from Stonehenge and well worth the visit.