Tuesday 14 December 2010

Stonehenge Special Access Visits

Walk Among The Stones At Stonehenge Without The Crowds

When you visit Stonehenge during public hours you have to keep behind a small rope fence about two foot off the ground. For most people this is perfectly adequate.

For those who are really, really interested in Stonehenge it is possible to go beyond the rope fence and walk among the stones.
These visits are called Special Access visits and take place outside public opening hours. This is the only time you will be able to walk amongst the stones at Stonehenge.




Stonehenge Special Access Visits - Key Facts- Special Access visits are available most but not all months of the year, (no visits in October and November and are not available on around the midsummer's day).

- Demand for tickets far exceeds supply, dates are often sold out months in advance. Do not expect to get tickets without ordering well in advance.
- Special access visits take place at quite unsociable hours, commonly between 05:30 and 08:00 in the morning and after 18:30 in the evening.
- Factor in that its almost 2 hours traveling time between London hotels and Stonehenge and you can see such a visit entails a very early start or late finish for those based In London.
- There are no audio guides available and the gift shop and catering outlet are also closed. Only the toilets are open. There is nobody there to tell you anything about Stonehenge and no information is provided - though you can preorder a glossy guide book on ordering your tickets. On morning visits you can wait a little until Stonehenge opens for the public when the gift shop, refreshment kiosk are open and audio guides become available.  Otherwise buy them before - see below
 - The only people there apart from a maximum of 26 Special Access ticket holders are a few security guards who will not provide any information about Stonehenge. They are just there to make sure you get up to no mischief.


Scheduled Special Access Tours From London and Salisbury

A couple of tour companies in London offer tours that include Special Access. This overcomes the logistical problems of getting to Stonehenge early morning or evening when there is no public transport to Stonehenge.

However, its still a very early start or a late return to London and these companies cannot get enough tickets for their needs. As a result dates are very sporadic. Most days there will not be a tour running and they will normally sell out well in advance on those days the tour runs - don't leave it until you arrive in London or you will be disappointed.
The Stonehenge Tour Company have by far the best reputaion and were the original operator to offer this itinerary.  You could try local companies HisTouries UK Tours or Salisbury Guided Tours who opearte bespoke private guided tours.  Needless to say the big group coach companies offer similar tours; Premium Tours, Golden Tours and Evan Evans and you can book discounted tickets here;
http://www.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/coach-tours.htm

IMPORTANT:  The Stonehenge English Heritage shop is closed during these private access visits and you will not be able to purchase guide books or souvenirs so you are wise to buy before.  Needless to say if you do some research before it will certainly enhace your visit, I have listed the the most popular guide books etc below.

4 comments:

  1. Sound advice! We already have bookings throughout 2011 and 2012, however it is often possible to arrange private tours for small groups. We can often organise tours form London, Salisbury, Bath and Glastonbury.
    If you are going to visit Stonehenge, do it properly and organise a 'special access' tour
    Stonehenge Guide - www.histouries.co.uk

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