Stonehenge & Cotswold Villages
1 day tour
A day out exploring myths, history, and the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Stonehenge - Aliens, Merlin or the Romans? There are many stories connected to this site. Whatever you believe, Stonehenge is worth marvelling at.
Avebury - Some argue that these stone circles are even better than Stonehenge. Built and altered over many centuries, its one of the largest and most complex of Britain's surviving Neolithic henge monuments.
Lacock - Harry Potter fans will get a kick out of visiting the Lacock Abbey Cloisters, which were used as Hogwarts' corridors in the movies.
Castle Combe - Wander through one of the prettiest villages in England and try to spot the places where a number of movies were filmed.
Cotswolds - Drive through and explore the iconic region known as the Cotswolds, enjoying beautiful landscapes and quaint villages along the way.
Your journey
It’s a day of magic, imagination, and inspiration.
Many have gazed upon Stonehenge and wondered how the enormous standing stones ended up like that. Some believe the wizard Merlin worked his magic to create them. Others imagine aliens are involved. While some agree it was the Romans. Standing stones constantly inspire the imagination and on this tour you get to see not just one, but two of these amazing constructs.
And it doesn’t stop with these monuments. Many know the Cotswolds as a place of quintessential beauty and it’s time for you to see for yourself. From movie set locations to fascinating history, you’ll love exploring this beautiful region.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) - Bristol Pick-Up, DoubleTree by Hilton, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS16NJ
17:45 - Bristol Drop Off, DoubleTree by Hilton, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS16NJ
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old).
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
- Transportation by a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Attraction entry tickets
Itinerary
Today is a day full of wonder. Departing Bristol, your first stop for the day is the prehistoric monument Stonehenge. This site has lured people year after year; these incredible standing stones weigh about 25 tons each and have many legends attached to them. Perhaps you believe they were created by Merlin, who magically transported them from Ireland. Or maybe you believe Stonehenge is a spacecraft landing area for aliens. Perhaps they’re the ruins of a Roman temple in your mind. Whatever you believe, everyone can agree they are magnificent to behold.
Your next visit is Avebury. Here you have free time to do what you please: grab some lunch, wander the area and, of course, see the three stone circles. Avebury henge boasts the largest stone circle in Britain, so big it fits the entire quaint English village inside. So you can grab a pint and bite to eat while surrounded by a stone circle. Pretty magical, right?
Your journey continues to the adorable village of Lacock. The time is yours and you might be interested in visiting the Abbey. Harry Potter fans will obsess over seeing the Lacock Abbey Cloisters, used as Hogwarts corridors in the movies. On top of that, visitors can explore the medieval rooms and cloister court, before taking a look at the Fox Talbot Museum which explores the history of photography.
The last stop of the day is Castle Combe, often called one of the prettiest villages in England. Fans of movies like War Horse and Neil Gaiman’s Stardust may just recognize this spot, so get your camera ready. From here, it’s only a short drive back to Bristol.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
- Stonehenge
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.